How to get your Residence Card when you’re in Spain
If you are already in Spain for study or work purposes then you have completed one of the hardest processes in order to get here. Getting all of your paperwork organized to submit to the consulates in the states is nothing less short of a difficult nightmare. But now that you’ve done it (a big WOOHOO for you!) here is how you can get your residence card when you’re in Spain.
Quick side note: here are the following abbreviations in this post to make it easier to read and understand:
TIE stands for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (Foreign ID card)
NIE stands for Numero de Identidad de Extranjero (Foreign ID number)
They both refer to the exact same card, one is just in reference to the actual number on the card.
Disclaimer: This post is written based on my personal experience as a US citizen from living in the city of Madrid and obtaining an TIE for a student visa. Each city is slightly different and may have different rules or required paperwork. Please check your requirements with the Extranjeria (Foreign Office) you will be living nearest for specific regulations.
Salina Owens
Now! If you did all the work at the consulate in the states you should have in your passport a page with a temporary visa and an NIE number already (this number most likely begins with the letter Y) This visa gives you 30 days upon arrival in Spain to go to the appropriate Foreign Office (Extranjeria) and submit other documents to obtain your physical ID card. The office in Madrid is located here.
*Come prepared to speak Spanish, most people working at the foreign offices do not speak English*
Step 1: Make an appointment
The following site will be a big life line when living here. It provides appointments for numerous things you will need to complete at some point
You scroll to your province and will need to choose “Asignación de número NIE”
List of the documents you’ll need to fill out and present:
- Application form EX-15 (original + copy)
- Proof of appointment with the confirmation number (justificante)
- Original Passport (plus copy of all pages) They may ask you specifically for the page with the airport stamp upon which you arrived into Spain
- 2 small passport photos (NOTE: passport photo sizes are different in Spain. You can go to any photo booth, many are located in metro stations, and take about 6 passport photos for 5€)
- Government Fee – Tasa Form 790 cod 012 to be paid at any bank, make sure they stamp it. Ask you academic advisor or someone who’s been in Spain for a while to help if needed.
These documents above are obligatory, however, as you read this I’m assuming you’re on a student visa like myself, bring ALL of your documentation you have received regarding your placement in Spain e.g. health insurance information, school acceptance letter, anything you’ve received from the consulate in the states, etc.
Make sure to have originals and photocopies of EVERYTHING except the tasa form
With your appointment made and documents in order, brush up on that Spanish and even if you don’t understand everything, be kind, smile, and ask them to repeat. Since this is the first ID card you’ll obtain, after submitting documents, you’ll be asked to come back about 30 days later to pick up your physical card. There you have it! this process is long and tedious but be patient, I promise it’s worth the bureaucracy to study, work, and live here!
For more info also check out Expatica’s guide for obtaining an NIE in Spain
To see what I’m up to now in Spain check out how to Spend one Week in Madrid and my experience on Camper vanning around the north of Spain
