Every non-EU student in Spain must register at the Oficina de Extranjería (Foreigners' Office) within 30 days of arrival to obtain their TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — Foreigner Identity Card) and activate their NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero — Foreigner Identification Number). The NIE is your essential ID number in Spain — needed for banking, rental agreements, employment, mobile plans, and tax filings. Book your appointment within your first days of arriving — wait times in Madrid and Barcelona can be 4–8 weeks.
TIE Registration Process
- Book appointment online: Go to sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es — select "Toma de Huella — Expedición/Renovación de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero" at your local Oficina de Extranjería.
- Download and complete EX-17: Modelo EX-17 is the TIE application form — available from the Spanish Ministry of Interior website.
- Pay Tasa 790 (Código 012): Approximately €16 — paid at any Spanish bank. Keep the receipt.
- Gather documents: Passport (original + copy), student visa (original + copy), university enrollment certificate (certificado de matrícula — get this from your university secretaría on arrival), 1 passport photo, completed EX-17, Tasa 790 receipt.
- Attend appointment: Present all documents; fingerprints and photo taken. You receive an appointment receipt as interim proof of legal status.
- Collect TIE card: Ready in 30–60 days — collect with your passport and receipt.
- Renew annually: TIE expires with your enrollment period — renew at least 60 days before expiry with proof of ongoing enrollment.
NIE & TIE Quick Reference
| NIE number | Permanent ID number — issued once, stays with you; format: X1234567Z |
|---|---|
| TIE card | Physical residence/student card — renewed annually with enrollment proof |
| Registration deadline | Within 30 days of arrival in Spain |
| Application form | Modelo EX-17 |
| Fee | ~€16 (Tasa 790, Código 012) |
| Processing time | 30–60 days; appointment receipt serves as interim legal document |
| Appointment booking | sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es — book within first few days of arrival |
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply as soon as possible regardless of the 30-day window. The consequences of late registration are typically administrative rather than criminal, but it is important to regularize your situation promptly. Book the earliest available appointment and attend with all required documents. Bring a note explaining the delay if asked.
Explore the full guide for Nigeria students in Spain
Back to the Complete Guide
