NIE, TIE and CUE (green NIE): the complete comparison
White NIE, TIE and CUE or “green NIE”: three documents constantly confused. What each one is, who it applies to, current fees and when you need two of them.
Extranjería Palma ·
Three documents get confused constantly by foreign nationals in Spain: the white NIE, the TIE and the CUE, or “green NIE”. They are not the same thing, and you do not get to pick: it depends on your nationality and on whether you are going to live in Spain.
For British nationals this matters more than most people realise. If you were legally resident here before 31 December 2020, the Withdrawal Agreement TIE applies to you. If you arrived after that date, you are treated like any other non-EU national — and the route is different.
The distinction that settles half the confusion:
- NIE = the administrative number that identifies you. Eight digits and a letter.
- White NIE, CUE and TIE = the documents that may contain that number.
1. White NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
The “white NIE” is the paper document issued to non-residents who need the number for a specific transaction.
- Who it is for: any foreign national, EU or not, who needs the number without living in Spain.
- What for: buying or selling property, accepting an inheritance, opening a bank account, setting up a company, or tax matters. The classic case is buying a second home in Mallorca.
- Legal basis: Ley Orgánica 4/2000. Form: EX-15.
- Important: it is only the number; it does not evidence residence.
2. CUE / green NIE (EU citizen registration certificate)
The certificate — on green paper, hence the nickname — evidencing registration in the Central Register of Foreigners for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens residing in Spain for more than three months. It includes your NIE number.
- Who it is for: EU/EEA/Swiss citizens living in Spain. Irish nationals included.
- When: within 3 months of arrival.
- Legal basis: Real Decreto 240/2007. Form: EX-18.
- Documents, depending on your situation: employment contract or self-employment registration; or health insurance plus sufficient means; or enrolment and insurance if you are a student.
- Important: EU citizens do not get a TIE. Their non-EU family members do get the EU family member card.
3. TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
The physical document — a chip card with biometric data — evidencing the legal residence of non-EU nationals.
- Who it is for: non-EU residents holding temporary or long-term residence authorisation.
- When: within one month of obtaining the authorisation.
- Legal basis: Ley Orgánica 4/2000; Real Decreto 1119/1986.
- Validity: matches your authorisation, from 1 to 5 years.
NIE and TIE side by side
| NIE | TIE | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A number (8 digits + letter) | A physical identity card |
| Who issues it? | Policía Nacional | Policía Nacional |
| Who is it for? | Any foreign national with interests in Spain | Non-EU residents with an authorisation |
| Does it expire? | No. The number is permanent | Yes, along with your residence authorisation |
| What is it used for? | Tax, banking, employment, administration | Identifying yourself and proving legal residence |
| Can I travel on it? | No | No: outside Spain you use your passport |
Current fees
Set by Orden PJC/617/2025, in force since 16 June 2025. All are paid using form 790, code 012, generated on the Policía Nacional portal by ticking the box for your specific procedure:
| Procedure | Amount |
|---|---|
| NIE allocation at the applicant’s request | €9.84 |
| EU citizen registration certificate (CUE) | €12.00 |
| TIE — first grant of temporary residence | €16.08 |
| TIE — renewal of temporary residence | €19.30 |
| TIE — long-term residence | €21.87 |
Each box produces a different amount automatically. Ticking the wrong one means paying too much or too little, and having your file returned.
Decision table: which is your case?
| Your situation | Document |
|---|---|
| Non-resident foreign national (purchase, inheritance, company) | White NIE |
| EU/EEA/Swiss citizen living in Spain | CUE / green NIE |
| Non-EU national living in Spain | NIE + TIE |
| Non-EU family member of an EU citizen | EU family member card |
When do you need both the number and the card?
If you are a non-EU national with temporary or long-term residence authorisation, you need both. The usual sequence:
- You enter Spain on the relevant residence visa.
- Your NIE number is allocated.
- You obtain the residence authorisation.
- Once granted, you apply for the TIE within one month.
- From then on you hold both: the number (NIE) and the card (TIE).
Special cases
- I’ve lost my TIE. Report the loss to the Policía Nacional and apply for a duplicate with the police report. Your NIE number is not lost: it remains yours.
- Changing authorisation. Moving from temporary to long-term residence means a new TIE matching the new authorisation.
- Renewing the TIE. You can apply from three months before expiry. Do not leave it to the last minute.
Common mistakes
- Applying for the white NIE when you are actually going to live here: you need the CUE or the TIE depending on your nationality.
- Assuming an EU citizen needs a TIE. They do not — the CUE applies.
- Confusing the number (NIE) with the document containing it (white, green or TIE).
- Assuming the NIE “expires” and needs renewing. The number is permanent.
Sources
- Ley Orgánica 4/2000 of 11 January (articles 4.2-4.3 and 29-31)
- Real Decreto 240/2007 of 16 February, EU regime (BOE)
- Orden PJC/617/2025 of 13 June on immigration fees (BOE)
- Real Decreto 1119/1986 of 26 May
At Extranjería Palma we look at your nationality and your circumstances and process the document that actually applies to you. Tell us about your case and we will give you a fixed quote.
You may also want our guide to getting the NIE in Palma, the TIE service and the CUE (green NIE) service.