If you are planning to move to Spain, you have probably come across terms such as NIE, TIE or visa. These terms are often used interchangeably -particularly NIE and TIE- but they refer to different legal concepts. Confusing them can lead to misunderstandings and practical issues during the immigration process.

Apart from the above-mentioned terms, there’s also another one. If you are an EU citizen, you may also have heard of the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (EU Citizen Registration Certificate).

There is also a fifth concept that is even more important but rarely explained properly: the “Resolución de autorización de residencia/estancia” (Decision granting residence or stay).

In this article we explain what each of these terms means and how they fit together.

What is the NIE?

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a personal identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It is required for almost any legal or economic activity in Spain, such as opening a bank account, buying a property or becoming a director in a Spanish subsidiary of a company which parent company is in another country.

The key point is that the NIE is just a number. It does not give the right to live in Spain. You can have an NIE without being a resident.

What is a “Resolución de Autorización de Residencia”?

The Resolución de autorización de residencia/estancia (Decision granting residence or stay) is the administrative act issued by the Spanish authorities that grants the legal right to live in Spain. This is the most important element in the entire process.

It is issued by the competent immigration Authorities, and it specifies the type of residence, its duration, and the conditions attached to it.

From a legal perspective, this resolution is what confers the right to reside in Spain. Once it has been granted, if you are a national of a country that requires a visa to enter the Schengen Area, the corresponding Spanish consulate will issue a visa in your passport on the basis of this resolution, allowing you to enter Spain and formalize your residence.

What is a Visa?

A visa is an authorization that allows to enter Spain through the border control. It is issued by a Spanish consulate abroad and is generally required for non-EU nationals. The visa is placed in the passport.

It allows to enter Spain for a specific purpose and is usually limited in duration, being linked to the initial entry. In most cases, once you are in Spain with a long-stay visa (for residence or studies), you will be required to apply for a TIE to document your residence.

What is the TIE?

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a physical card that proves the legal residence in Spain. TIE serves as evidence of the residence status. It includes the NIE number, the photograph, the type of residence authorization held, and its validity period.

Without a valid TIE, you may encounter practical difficulties, particularly when travelling or dealing with administrative procedures. For travel within the Schengen Area, it is important to note that the TIE alone is not sufficient: you must also carry a valid passport of your nationality.

What is the CRU?

If you are an EU national and plan to reside in Spain for more than three months, you are required to obtain the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (CRU) (EU Citizen Registration Certificate).

This certificate includes the NIE, the nationality, and the registered address in Spain.

Although EU citizens have the right to move and reside freely within the EU, this does not exempt them from complying with local administrative requirements. Failing to register can lead to practical issues, particularly in relation to taxation, employment, Social Security registration, or other administrative procedures.

The key differences

• The NIE is an identification number of the foreigner for administrative and tax purposes.
• The visa allows entry into Spain.
• The Resolución de residencia is the legal act from responsible Administration that grants the right to live in Spain.
• The TIE is a physical document that proves that right. For European, CRU has the same function as TIE.

At Martí & Associats, we can advise you on the correct identification and selection of any of these documents and on obtaining them.