When you arrive in Spain for your Erasmus semester or year, you will hear terms like NIE, CUE, and TIE. Here’s what they mean and whether you need them.
1. NIE – Número de Identidad de Extranjero
1. NIE – Número de Identidad de Extranjero
- Your Foreign Identification Number in Spain.
- Used for official paperwork: opening a bank account, rental contracts, registering for services, etc.
- All foreigners have a NIE; for EU students it’s issued as part of the CUE (see below).
- If you stay under 3 months, you typically don’t need to apply. For stays over 3 months, you must register.
2. CUE – Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (EU Only)
- The registration certificate for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who live in Spain for more than 3 months.
- It’s a small green paper that shows your name, NIE number, and registration date.
- Carry it together with your passport or national ID.
- For EU Erasmus students staying more than 3 months, you should apply (not the TIE).
3. TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (Non‑EU)
- The physical ID card for non‑EU citizens; it includes your NIE, photo, and fingerprints.
- Non‑EU students with a visa longer than 6 months must apply for the TIE within 30 days of arrival.
- If your visa is shorter than 6 months, the visa is usually sufficient.
4. Do You Need to Apply?
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (Erasmus from EU countries):
- Stay ≤ 3 months → no registration needed.
- Stay > 3 months → apply for the CUE (this gives you your NIE).
- No TIE for EU citizens.
- Non‑EU students:
- Visa ≤ 6 months → usually no TIE needed.
- Visa > 6 months → apply for TIE within 30 days of arrival.
5. How to Apply in Valencia
- Book an appointment online (cita previa):
- CUE or NIE (EU students): Cita Previa – Policía Nacional → choose Valencia → select “Certificados UE” (for CUE) or “Asignación NIE”.
- TIE (non‑EU students): Cita Previa – Policía Nacional → choose Valencia → select “Toma de huella (expedición de tarjeta)”.
- Prepare the required documents: passport/ID, university acceptance letter, proof of address in Valencia, and the correct form:
- EX‑15 or EX‑18 (for CUE / EU registration)
- EX‑17 (for TIE)
- Pay the fee: complete and pay Modelo 790, código 012 here → Tasa 790–012.
- Attend your appointment with originals and photocopies of all documents.
Tip: Appointments are scarce — check early in the morning for new availability.
Quick Comparison
| Document | Who needs it? | What you get | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIE | All foreigners (number only) | NIE number used for all admin tasks | After arrival, as soon as possible if stay > 3 months |
| CUE (EU only) | EU/EEA/Swiss staying > 3 months | Green paper with your NIE and details | After arrival, as soon as possible if stay > 3 months |
| TIE (non‑EU) | Non‑EU with visa > 6 months | Plastic ID card with photo, fingerprints, NIE | Within 30 days of arrival |
