NIE vs TIE — what's the difference?
The NIE is your Spanish foreigner identification NUMBER — needed to buy property, open a bank account and pay tax — while the TIE is the physical residence CARD a non-EU citizen gets once they actually live in Spain; you need an NIE to buy, you do not need a TIE.
| NIE | TIE | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Identification number | Physical residence card |
| Needed to buy property? | Yes | No |
| Who it's for | Any foreigner | Non-EU residents |
| Grants residency? | No — just an ID number | No, but it proves it |
| How to get it | Consulate, police, or power of attorney | After a residence permit is granted |
For a property purchase the NIE is the only one you need — it's your tax identity in Spain.
The TIE only comes into play if you go on to live in Spain as a non-EU national.
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Related
Sources: Ministerio del Interior — NIE/TIE para extranjeros.
Last reviewed June 2026.