Spanish ID numbers and the right orderArticle 1 of 8 · 4 min read
The Spanish ID numbers you will meet and what each is for
A guide to the identifiers you will meet in Spain: who issues each one, what it unlocks and which office to go to. It is for anyone arriving in Spain, whether from the EU or outside it.
Terms used
- NIE — The NIE is the identification number Spain gives to foreigners, used for tax, work, housing and official procedures.
- TIE — The TIE is the foreigner identity card issued to non-EU residents, and it includes the NIE.
- DNI — The DNI is the national identity card for Spanish citizens, whose number also serves as their tax ID.
- padrón — The padrón is the local register of residents kept by your town hall; it proves where you live.
You will meet several different numbers and cards. Each comes from a different office, and some depend on others. Most non-EU residents get the NIE with the visa, then register on the padrón, apply for the TIE, and get the social security number and health card. EU citizens get the EU registration certificate instead of the TIE.
Identity numbers and cards
NIE. The NIE is your foreigner ID number. The Policía Nacional issues it, through the Oficina de Extranjería or a police station. You need it for tax, work, property and contracts, and banks usually ask for it. It stays with you for life, so you will quote it often.
TIE. If you are a non-EU resident, the Policía Nacional also issues the TIE, a residence card. It shows your NIE, so it works as your photo ID: see the residence card.
EU registration certificate. If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you get this paper document from Extranjería or the Policía Nacional within 3 months of arriving, and it shows your NIE (how to register).
DNI. The identity card of Spanish citizens only: see Arriving as a Spanish citizen.
NIF. The NIF is your tax ID, assigned by the Agencia Tributaria. For Spaniards it is the DNI number plus its letter. For foreigners it is your NIE. So your NIE is also your tax number, and you do not apply separately.
Company tax ID. A company has its own NIF, issued by the Agencia Tributaria when the company is set up. A freelancer or a founder personally uses their own NIE or NIF. See company tax and filings.
Registration and services
Padrón certificate. Registering in the padrón at your local ayuntamiento is mandatory for anyone living in Spain. The certificate proves you are registered. You need it for the health card, school enrolment, residence and nationality procedures, vehicle matters and many other steps.
Social security number. The TGSS issues it. You need it to work, to claim benefits and for the health card. It is separate from your NIE. If you take a job your employer registers you and the number is created; otherwise you request it from the TGSS with your NIE and passport: see getting your Social Security number.
Health card (tarjeta sanitaria). Your regional health service issues it, for example SERMAS in Madrid or CatSalut in Catalonia. It gives you access to public healthcare. You need your NIE, normally your padrón certificate, and social security affiliation or entitlement. Eligibility rules and the procedure vary by region.
Cl@ve. This is the central government's electronic ID for online procedures with bodies such as the tax office and Seguridad Social. You register in person, or online with a digital certificate or by video.
Which office for what
- Police (Extranjería): NIE, TIE, EU registration certificate, DNI.
- Your ayuntamiento: padrón.
- Agencia Tributaria: your tax ID, which is your NIE, and a company's NIF.
- TGSS: Social Security number.
- Regional health service: health card.
If you are a Spanish citizen arriving for the first time, you get a DNI, not an NIE: see Arriving as a Spanish citizen who has never lived in Spain. If you are a foreigner still abroad, you can get an NIE before you move: see getting an NIE before you move.
Which documents you hold: EU citizen, non-EU resident or Spanish citizen
Your main document depends on who you are. The identity number and tax ID follow from it.
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizen staying over three months | Non-EU resident | Spanish citizen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main document | Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión | TIE (residence card) | DNI |
| What it looks like | A paper A4 document, not a photo card | A plastic card | A national ID card, required from age 14 |
| Identity number | NIE, shown on the certificate | NIE, shown on the card | The DNI number: 8 digits plus a control letter |
| Issued by | Policía Nacional (Oficina de Extranjería) | Policía Nacional | Policía Nacional |
| Do you need an NIE? | Yes | Yes | No. This includes dual nationals. |
Points to note
- EU, EEA or Swiss citizens: register within 3 months of arriving; your NIE is on the certificate (how to register).
- Non-EU family of an EU citizen: you get a residence card for a family member of a Union citizen. It is a TIE-type card and also shows your NIE.
- Travel: the DNI also works as a travel document within the EU.
More in Spanish ID numbers and the right order
- Foreigner number (NIE) or residence card (TIE): which goes on which form?
- The right order for your NIE, address registration and digital ID
- How long each identity step really takes in Spain
- What your identity numbers and registrations cost, including paid help
- Where Spanish counters will ask for your foreigner number (NIE)
- Which ID to carry every day in Spain
- Arriving as a Spanish citizen who has never lived in Spain
← Back to Spanish ID numbers and the right order · Find your city
Need certainty before you act?
For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.
Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.