NIE Blanco vs NIE Verde vs TIE — Which One Do You Need? (2026)
Spain has three different documents for foreign nationals — White NIE, Green NIE and TIE card. They are often confused. Here is a clear explanation of each one and which applies to your situation.
The three documents at a glance
White NIE
NIE Blanco
Form EX-15 · Fee €9.84
For non-residents who need a Spanish tax ID number for one specific purpose, without moving to Spain.
- Buying property in Spain
- Opening a Spanish bank account
- Receiving an inheritance
- Signing a work contract
Green NIE
NIE Verde / Certificado EU
Form EX-18 · Fee €12.00
For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who move to Spain for more than 3 months as official residents.
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationality only
- Staying more than 3 months
- Working, studying or self-sufficient
- A green A4 certificate, not a card
TIE Card
Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero
Form EX-17 · Fee €16.08–€21.87
For non-EU nationals who hold a Spanish residence permit and stay more than 6 months.
- Non-EU nationals only
- Requires a visa or residence permit
- Physical card with photo and fingerprints
- Renewed every 1–5 years
Detailed comparison
| Feature | White NIE (EX-15) | Green NIE (EX-18) | TIE Card (EX-17) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is it for? | Non-residents (all nationalities) | EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Non-EU residents |
| Do you live in Spain? | No | Yes (3+ months) | Yes (6+ months) |
| Requires a visa? | No | No (EU freedom of movement) | Yes |
| Physical card? | No (paper certificate) | No (paper A4 certificate) | Yes (ID card format) |
| Needs renewal? | No (permanent) | No (permanent) | Yes (1–5 years) |
| Photo required? | No | No | Yes (32×26mm) |
| Fingerprints? | No | No | Yes (at appointment) |
| Fee 2026 | €9.84 | €12.00 | €16.08 – €21.87 |
🤔 Still not sure which one you need?
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Quick decision guide
→ You need a White NIE (EX-15) if:
You are NOT moving to Spain but need a Spanish tax ID for a one-time transaction: property purchase, inheritance, bank account, work contract from abroad.
→ You need a Green NIE (EX-18) if:
You are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen moving to Spain for more than 3 months to live, work, study, or retire.
→ You need a TIE card (EX-17) if:
You are a non-EU national who has obtained a Spanish residence permit (student visa, work permit, family reunification, etc.) and will stay more than 6 months.
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