Police identity checks and traffic stops in Spain

Terms used

• TIE — The TIE is the residence card issued to foreigners who live in Spain.
• NIE — The NIE is the foreigner identification number used for tax and paperwork; it is a number, not a photo ID.
• Permiso de circulación — The permiso de circulación is the vehicle registration document.
• Ficha técnica — The ficha técnica is the vehicle's technical inspection (ITV) card.

Key rules

• Station stay: Police can take you to a station only to identify you, for no more than 6 hours, and it is not an arrest.
• Originals: Carry the original TIE or passport, since a photocopy is not guaranteed to be accepted.
• Roadside fine: If you live abroad, pay the fine or leave a deposit of the same amount, or the vehicle can be immobilised.
• Paying on the spot: Paying at once gives a 50% reduction but ends your chance to appeal.

What police can ask you

Police can ask anyone to identify themselves when it is needed to prevent a crime or to sanction an infraction. Show your documents calmly. Refusing to identify yourself can itself be punished.

If you cannot be identified on the spot, police can take you to a nearby station only to identify you, for no more than 6 hours. This is not an arrest. You can ask for a record of your stay.

What to carry

As a foreigner, you must hold your documents and show them when police lawfully ask.

• If you live in Spain, carry your TIE or other residence document.
• If you are a visitor, carry a valid passport or travel document.
• Your NIE is a number. The certificate alone is not ID.

Police normally expect the original. A photocopy of a passport is often accepted for short checks, but that is not guaranteed, so carry the original.

Traffic stops

If you are driving, you must show:

• your driving licence
• the vehicle's permiso de circulación
• the ficha técnica
• proof of valid compulsory insurance

An EU or EEA licence is valid. Licences from other countries are generally valid for six months for non-EU residents, unless an agreement or conversion rules apply, and this depends on the country that issued yours. You may also need an international driving permit if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet or no agreement covers it. Police may check your ID as well.

Roadside fines if you live abroad

If you do not live in Spain and are stopped for an infraction, you must pay the fine at once or leave a deposit of the same amount. Otherwise the vehicle can be immobilised.

Paying at once gives a 50% reduction. It also ends the procedure, so you cannot appeal on the merits afterwards. If you do not pay, you can send allegations or an appeal within the deadline, and the traffic authority handles the fine. Amounts and payment methods depend on the infraction.

What to say

Keep it short and polite. Useful phrases:

• "Aquí tiene mi documentación": here are your documents.
• "Mi documentación está en el coche": your documents are in the car.
• "No hablo español", "¿Habla inglés?" or "Necesito un intérprete": you do not speak Spanish and need English or an interpreter.
• "No entiendo" or "Más despacio, por favor": you do not understand, or want them to slow down.
• "¿Qué pasa?": asks what is happening.
• "¿Estoy detenido?": asks whether you are under arrest.
• "Quiero un abogado": asks for a lawyer.
• "¿Puedo llamar a mi embajada?": asks to call your embassy.

The checklist and documents list below cover the rest.

Timeline and deadlines

• If you live abroad and are stopped for an infraction, pay the fine or leave a deposit of the same amount: at the stop

• Pay the fine for a 50% reduction. This ends the procedure and you cannot appeal it afterwards: within 20 days

• If you did not pay, send your allegations or appeal to the traffic authority (Jefatura or Dirección General de Tráfico): within the deadline on the notice

• Switch a non-EU licence to a Spanish one, or check the conversion rules, if you are a non-EU resident: generally within six months of becoming resident

Documents you need

• TIE (residence card) if you live in Spain, original copy. The police normally expect the original.

• Valid passport or travel document if you are a visitor, original copy.

• Driving licence, if you are driving. An EU or EEA licence is valid. Other licences are generally valid for six months for non-EU residents.

• Vehicle registration document (permiso de circulación), if you are driving.

• ITV inspection card (ficha técnica), if you are driving.

• Proof of valid compulsory insurance for the vehicle, if you are driving.

• International driving permit, only if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet or no agreement covers it.

Checklist

• Carry your original TIE if you live in Spain, or your passport if you are a visitor.

• Keep your driving licence, permiso de circulación, ficha técnica and insurance proof in the car.

• Show your documents calmly and say "Aquí tiene mi documentación".

• Say "No hablo español" and ask "¿Habla inglés?" or "Necesito un intérprete" if you do not follow.

• Ask "¿Estoy detenido?" if you are unsure whether you are under arrest.

• Pay the fine at once or leave a deposit if you live abroad and are fined at the roadside.

What to watch out for

• Refusing to identify yourself: Refusing to show ID when police lawfully ask can be a sanctionable infraction. If they cannot identify you any other way, they can take you to a nearby station for up to 6 hours. This is not an arrest. Show your documents. If you are taken to a station, ask for a record of your stay.

• Not paying or leaving a deposit when you live abroad: A driver without residence in Spain who is fined must pay at once or leave a deposit of the fine amount. Otherwise the vehicle can be immobilised. Carry a way to pay at the stop, or ask the officer what deposit is needed.

• Paying on the spot ends your chance to appeal: Paying at once gives a 50% reduction and ends the procedure, but you can no longer appeal on the merits. Pay only if you accept the fine. Otherwise leave the deposit and send your allegations within the deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Is a photocopy of my passport enough at an ID check?

A photocopy of your passport is often accepted for short checks, but this is not guaranteed. Police normally expect the original, so carry it. If you have no documents on you, you can be taken to a station to be identified.

Is my NIE certificate enough as ID?

No, the NIE certificate is not an ID document, because the NIE is only a number. Residents should carry their TIE (the residence card).

What do I say if my documents are in the car?

Say "Mi documentación está en el coche", which means your documents are in the car. Then say "¿Habla inglés?" if you need English, or "No entiendo" and "Más despacio, por favor" if you are lost.