The number on its own
This is the identifier — one letter, seven digits, one check letter. Every foreigner with ties to Spain receives it, EU or otherwise. Standing alone, it is simply a reference printed on paper, with no document attached.
The green EU document
Nationals of the EU, EEA and Switzerland who establish residence in Spain are entered on the central register and given a green A4 certificate or a small green card. It carries the number alongside your registered Bilbao address and confirms your status as a registered EU resident.
The TIE card
Non-EU nationals are issued a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero: a physical card bearing a photograph and fingerprint that displays the number, the category of residence held, and its expiry. This is the document non-EU residents are obliged to carry day to day.
In Bilbao
The Bilbao office sets the pace for the nie number vs nie card across the Basque Country. Our team books your appointment, checks your documentación, and walks you through the day itself.