Which passport to register under if you hold two nationalities

Key rules

• Identity base: Your NIE is linked to the passport and nationality you use when you apply, so choose it carefully.
• NIE number: Your NIE number stays the same if you later switch passports.
• Switching: Switching needs the office's approval and an appointment, and procedures vary by office.
• EU vs non-EU: An EU base gives free movement without a permit; a non-EU base means permit conditions apply.

Pick one passport and stay with it

Choose one passport as your identity base before you apply. Your NIE is linked to the passport and nationality you use in that application. Spain generally treats you by the nationality you use, so this choice decides which documents you get.

Changing later is possible, but it needs the office's approval and an appointment. Treat the first choice as the one you will keep.

What each choice means

Your EU passport. You register as an EU citizen. You get the EU registration certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE), a green A4 paper showing your NIE. You have free movement rights and do not need a residence permit.

Your non-EU passport. You need a visa or residence permit, and the TIE card that comes with it. The permit's conditions apply to you for as long as you use this nationality.

For most people with both, the EU passport is the simpler base, because it avoids permit conditions. Think about your own situation before you decide, especially if you plan to bring family.

Use the same details every time

Use the same passport, name spelling and given names in every application. Mismatches between documents cause delays. The documents list below shows what to bring.

Family members

If you register as an EU citizen and a relative is non-EU, they do not get the same document as you. The family-member card for non-EU relatives of EU citizens is a separate document.

If you need to switch later

Ask the Oficina de Extranjería or the police to update your record to the other passport or nationality. Your NIE number does not change. You will need:

• a valid passport for the new basis, and
• proof of your existing number: your original NIE document or your TIE.

Procedures vary by office, and you need an appointment. Moving between EU and non-EU nationality may also change the type of residence documentation you hold. Ask your office before you book.

Choosing between options

Which of your two passports should you register under?

• Your EU passport: You want free movement rights and no residence permit. You get the EU registration certificate and the EU rules.

You are generally treated by the nationality you use in the application, so pick the one whose rights you want and keep using it. You can switch later by asking the foreigners' office or police to update the passport on your record. Your NIE number stays the same, but the type of residence document may change.

Documents you need

• A valid passport from the nationality you choose as your identity base. Use the same name spelling and given-name order as in the passport on every form.

• If you register as an EU citizen: the EU registration certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE), a green A4 paper that carries your NIE.

• If you use a non-EU nationality: a visa or residence permit, and the TIE card that comes with it.

• If you switch passport later: your original NIE document or your TIE, as proof of your existing number.

Frequently asked questions

Does my NIE number change if I switch passports?

No. The number stays the same. Only the passport and nationality linked to it are updated, so ask the foreigners' office or police to change the record.

What do I need to bring to switch the passport linked to my NIE?

Bring the new valid passport and proof of your NIE, which is the original NIE document or your TIE. You need an appointment, and the process varies by office. The office must approve the change.

What happens if I switch from an EU to a non-EU nationality?

The type of residence paperwork can change. As a non-EU national you need a visa or residence permit and a TIE card, instead of the EU registration certificate.

Does a non-EU family member of mine get the same document as me?

No. A non-EU relative of an EU citizen gets a separate family-member card. It is not the same as your EU registration certificate.