Just the number
This is the bare identifier — a letter, seven digits, a letter. EU and non-EU alike are assigned one. Standing alone it is only a reference printed on paper, nothing more.
The green EU document — sheet or card
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals settling in Spain are given either a green A4 sheet or a green card the size of a credit card. It carries the NIE number together with your registered island address and confirms you are logged as an EU resident.
The TIE
Those from outside the EU receive a TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — a physical card bearing a photo and fingerprint that states the NIE number plus the kind and length of residence held. This is the document non-EU residents are expected to carry.
In Lanzarote
The Lanzarote office sets the pace for the number, certificate or card across the Canary Islands. Our team books your appointment, checks your documentación, and walks you through the day itself.
Frequently asked questions
No. EU nationals are issued the green certificate; the TIE belongs to non-EU residents.
The green certificate for EU nationals, or the TIE for everyone else. The number on its own grants no right to reside.