NEWS

What is the difference between NIE, TIE and NIF?

NIE – Foreigner Identification Number
The NIE is the basic identification number that every foreigner needs to carry out official or financial actions in Spain. It is like the national ID number for non-Spanish residents.

Who needs it:
Anyone doing official actions such as buying or renting property, opening a bank account, buying a car, paying taxes, or registering at the town hall.

Format:
Begins with a letter (X, Y or Z), followed by seven digits and a final letter, for example Y1234567A.

What you receive:
It is a paper document, not a card. It includes your name, nationality, and NIE number.

Summary:
Type: identification number for foreigners
Issued by: Spanish police or immigration office
Validity: lifelong
Used for: administration, purchases, taxes, etc.

TIE – Foreigner Identity Card
The TIE is a physical residence card, similar to an ID card, issued to foreigners legally living in Spain for a long period.

Contents:
Photo, personal details, NIE number, and residency status (for example, EU resident).

When obtained:
When a foreigner stays more than three months in Spain and registers as a resident, or has a residence permit.

Summary:
Type: residence card with photo and chip
Contains: NIE number
Issued by: Spanish police
Used for: proving legal residence in Spain

NIF – Tax Identification Number
The NIF is the fiscal number required for everyone in Spain, both Spaniards and foreigners.

For Spaniards: the NIF is their DNI number.
For foreigners: the NIF is the same as their NIE number.

Example:
A Belgian buying a property in Spain obtains a NIE. That same number is used as their NIF for taxes with the Spanish Tax Agency.

Summary:
Type: tax number
For foreigners: same as NIE
Used for: taxes, invoices, property ownership, etc.

General overview:

| Term | Meaning | What it is | For whom | Form |
| NIE | Foreigner Identification Number | Identification number for foreigners | Anyone with official dealings in Spain | Paper document |
| TIE | Foreigner Identity Card | Residence card | Resident foreigners | Plastic card |
| NIF | Tax Identification Number | Tax number | Everyone | Number (for foreigners = NIE) |

Example:
Jan from Belgium buys an apartment in Marbella. He applies for a NIE for the deed and taxes. Later, he registers in Spain and gets a TIE. For taxes, he uses the same number as his NIF.