Register at the Oficina de Extranjería within 30 days of arriving in Spain for your TIE card and NIE number. The NIE is your identification number for all official interactions in Spain — banking, rental agreements, employment, and taxes. Book your appointment immediately on arrival — large cities have 4–8 week wait times.
TIE Registration Process
- Book appointment online: sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es — select "Toma de Huella — Expedición/Renovación de TIE."
- Complete EX-17 form: Download from Spanish Ministry of Interior website.
- Pay Tasa 790 (Código 012): ~€16 at any Spanish bank.
- Documents: Passport (original + copy), student visa (original + copy), university enrollment certificate (certificado de matrícula), 1 passport photo, EX-17 form, Tasa 790 receipt.
- Attend: Fingerprints, photo, appointment receipt as interim document.
- Collect TIE: 30–60 days — collect with passport and receipt.
- Renew annually: 60 days before expiry with updated enrollment certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The appointment receipt (resguardo de cita) from the Oficina de Extranjería is accepted as temporary proof of your legal status in Spain. Carry it with your passport at all times until your TIE card arrives. Banks may require the TIE itself to open a full account — use Wise or Revolut as interim banking solutions.
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