What it is:

NIE: NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), a unique identification number for foreigners in Spain.

TIE: TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), a physical ID card confirming legal residency for non-EU employees.

Purpose:

NIE: Required for administrative tasks like opening bank accounts, signing leases, paying taxes.

TIE: Confirms legal residency status and grants access to public services in Spain.

Who needs it:

NIE: All foreign employees, including EU and non-EU citizens.

TIE: Non-EU employees with a residence permit or visa valid for more than six months.

How to obtain it:

Employers can assist with determining the NIE type, providing supporting documentation (e.g., employment letter), and guiding through application processes and appointments at consulates or immigration offices.

For TIE, ensuring the NIE is obtained first, assisting with residence permit/visa applications, and helping schedule TIE appointments.

Does it expire?

NIE: Does not expire and remains permanently linked to the individual.

TIE: Is tied to the employee’s visa or residence permit and typically expires after one to five years.

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Hiring International Employees in Spain: NIE and TIE Requirements (Updated for 2026)

Spain's employed workforce is projected to surpass 23 million people by the end of 2026. Foreign workers continue to be a major force behind this expansion. Since 2022, over 600,000 new international professionals have contributed to filling more than 45% of all new jobs, with applications for residence and work permits surging 46% in the second half of 2025 alone. As Spain's economy grows at a robust 2.4% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026 outpacing the Eurozone average attracting and retaining global talent is more critical than ever.

Hiring international employees in Spain involves essential compliance steps, particularly ensuring they have the proper identification documents. The two most vital are the NIE and the TIE. This updated guide reflecting key 2025 immigration reforms and the 2026 digital residency system launch outlines what employers need to know and how to streamline support for your team's relocation.

Why Are the NIE and TIE Important for Employers?

The NIE and TIE go beyond paperwork; they're prerequisites for employees to legally work, reside, and access services in Spain. The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the foundational ID number for administrative, financial, and tax purposes, while the TIE provides physical proof of residency for long-term non-EU stays. Distinguishing between NIE vs. TIE helps employers prevent delays, ensure compliance, and ease onboarding. With Spain's new centralized digital platform rolling out in 2026, these processes are becoming more streamlined, reducing paperwork and wait times through online submissions and real-time tracking.

What Should Employers Know About the NIE?

The NIE is a unique alphanumeric identification number (e.g., Y1234567X) assigned to foreigners interacting with Spanish authorities. Issued as a certificate on A4 paper, it's indispensable for everyday tasks like banking, contracts, and taxes.

For Employers:

Purpose of the NIE: Acts as a tax ID (NIF) for non-residents and enables administrative activities, including payroll processing and social security registration.
Who Requires an NIE: All foreign employees EU and non-EU need it. EU nationals staying under three months typically get a white NIE certificate for short-term admin needs.
Validity: The NIE number is lifelong and non-expiring, linked permanently to the individual.
Residency Rights: An NIE alone doesn't grant residency or work authorization; it must pair with a visa or permit.

Types of NIE Numbers in Spain

The NIE format remains consistent, but issuance types reflect stay duration and rights:

White NIE Paper: A permanent alphanumeric code on white A4 paper for admin tasks (e.g., banking, taxes, property deals). No residency rights. Ideal for EU citizens under three months or non-residents handling transactions.
Green NIE Card (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión): A laminated green card combining NIE and EU residency proof for stays over three months. Permanent; required for EU employees, self-employed, students, or self-sufficient individuals.
Temporary NIE: Short-term (up to three months) white paper version for one-off activities like investments. Used by brief visitors for specific legal/financial needs.

How to Get an NIE: Supporting Your Team

Employers can facilitate NIE applications to speed up integration. Note: From 2026, the new digital residency portal will allow online form submissions and tracking, minimizing in-person hurdles.

Determine the Type of NIE Needed: White paper for short EU stays; green card for longer EU residencies. Non-EU employees get their NIE via the initial visa process, leading to TIE.
Provide Supporting Documentation: Supply a job offer letter or purpose proof. Key documents include:
- Valid passport (original + copy).
- EX-15 application form.
- Proof of address (e.g., empadronamiento certificate).
- Fee payment receipt (Form 790 Code 12, ~€12).
- Two passport photos (for some cases).
Guide Through the Application: Help book "cita previa" appointments via the Ministry of the Interior website (or consulates abroad). Assist with forms and fee payments at banks. Processes vary by region/consulate, check local rules.
Post-Application: NIE issuance takes ~2 weeks; digital tracking via the 2026 portal will provide updates.

Can you work in Spain with an NIE? Yes, but only with accompanying work authorization. Without an NIE, legal employment is generally impossible.

What Should Employers Know About the TIE?

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a biometric residence card for non-EU nationals, featuring the NIE, photo, fingerprints, and permit details. It's the tangible proof of legal status.

For Employers:

Purpose of the TIE: Verifies residency, enabling work, public services, and healthcare access.
Who Requires a TIE: Non-EU employees with visas/permits over six months (e.g., work, highly qualified, or digital nomad visas).
TIE Validity: Aligned with the residence permit initially one year under 2025 reforms, then four-year renewals (up to five years total initially, or 10 years for long-term residents over 30). Expires with the permit.
TIE and Residency Rights: Grants full legal residency.

How to Get a TIE: Supporting Your Team

The 2025 reforms standardize work permits (one-year initial + four-year extensions), directly impacting TIE timelines. The 2026 digital system will integrate visa-to-TIE transitions for faster processing.

Confirm NIE First: TIE requires an existing NIE (often issued with the visa).
Assist with Residence Permit/Visa: Support initial applications; new rules allow self-employment alongside standard work permits.
Schedule Appointment: Book "cita previa" at Policía Nacional offices for biometrics.
Gather Documents: Ensure readiness with:
- Valid passport (original + full copies).
- EX-17 application form.
- Residence permit approval.
- Passport photo (32x26mm).
- Empadronamiento proof.
- Fee receipt (Form 790 Code 12, ~€16).
- Health insurance covering the stay.

Collection occurs 20-40 days later via another appointment; fingerprints are taken on-site.

Conclusion

In 2026, the NIE and TIE remain cornerstones for compliant international hiring in Spain, now enhanced by the May 2025 immigration reforms (e.g., streamlined permits) and the fully digital residency platform. Every foreign hire needs an NIE, with many non-EU team members requiring a TIE for long-term stays. By guiding these steps, employers foster smoother relocations and boost retention.

Supporting these processes ensures compliance while signaling investment in your global talent. Jobbatical can manage everything from digital portal navigation to document prep, freeing HR for strategic priorities.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is NIE?

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a unique identification number for foreigners in Spain, essential for administrative and legal activities like opening a bank account or signing contracts.

What is a TIE in Spain?

A TIE is a physical identification card that serves as proof of legal residency for non-EU citizens staying for more than six months. It includes your personal data, photo, fingerprints, and your NIE number.

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How to Get a NIE in Spain?

To get a NIE, you typically need to apply at a Spanish consulate in your home country or an immigration office in Spain. Required documents include a valid passport, purpose for the NIE (like a job offer), and application forms.

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Can I work in Spain with NIE?

While the NIE is essential in Spain for most financial and legal activities, having a NIE alone does not grant the right to work. You typically need an additional work permit or residency visa alongside your NIE to be employed legally. NIE work is contingent on proper authorization.

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What are the TIE Spain requirements?

The most important TIE requirements include having a valid passport, an approved residence permit or long-term visa, proof of your NIE number, passport-sized photos, and a completed TIE application form EX-17. You'll also need to pay the associated fee.

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What documents do I need for a TIE in Spain?

For your TIE documents, you'll generally need your passport, your residence permit approval letter, your NIE number proof, passport-sized photos, application form EX-17, and proof of the paid TIE fee.

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How to apply for TIE in Spain?

To apply for TIE, you first need an approved long-term visa or residence permit. Then, you schedule an appointment at a Spanish police station or immigration office, submit your TIE documents, provide fingerprints, and pay the fee.

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