You've made the exciting decision to move to Spain. You open your laptop, type "what do I need to do first", and within minutes you're drowning in acronyms. NIE. TIE. Padrón. Residencia. Oficina de Extranjería. Cita previa.
Each article sends you somewhere else. Each office requires something from another office. You make an appointment, they tell you the wrong form. You reapply. You wait again. Sound familiar?
It doesn't have to be this way. This guide explains the four key documents, the correct order to get them, and — if you want to skip the chaos entirely — how NIEasy handles it all for you.
The 4 documents you need to understand
Before you can work out what comes first, you need to understand what each document actually does. They are not interchangeable — each one unlocks the next.
NIE — Número de Identidad de Extranjero
Your Spanish tax and identification number
- Required for opening a bank account, buying property, signing a lease, paying taxes
- Issued by the Policía Nacional
- Just a number — not proof of residency
- Permanent and never changes
Think of it as your Spanish National Insurance number. You can't do almost anything without it.
Empadronamiento — Padrón Certificate
Proof that you live at a specific address in Spain
- Issued by your local Ayuntamiento (town hall)
- Required for healthcare, school enrolment, residency applications, TIE
- Proves your address — not your right to be in Spain
- Often needed before you can apply for residency
Without a padrón, many other applications simply stall. Get this done quickly once you have an address.
Residencia — Legal right to stay
Your official permission to live in Spain long-term
- EU citizens: Green Residency Certificate (EX-18)
- Non-EU citizens: requires a visa first, then the TIE
- Gives you legal status — the right to live, work, and access services
- Different types: work visa, non-lucrative, digital nomad, student, family reunification
Residency approval and the TIE card are not the same thing. Residency is the permission — the TIE is the physical proof.
TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero
Your physical residency card (non-EU citizens only)
- Biometric plastic card with photo, fingerprints, NIE, and residency type
- Issued by the Oficina de Extranjería or Policía Nacional
- Must be applied for within 30 days of arriving in Spain
- EU citizens receive a green certificate instead — not a TIE
Missing the 30-day deadline can result in fines and complications. Don't delay this step.
The correct order of steps — at a glance
The order matters because each document is often required to get the next one. Here's the quick reference:
| Your situation | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇺 EU citizen | Get NIE | Secure address | Empadronamiento | EU Residencia cert. |
| 🌍 Non-EU citizen | Apply for visa (home country) | Enter Spain | Empadronamiento | TIE card |
The exact path depends on whether you're an EU citizen or not. Let's walk through each in detail.
Path for EU / EEA / Swiss citizens
As an EU citizen you have freedom of movement — but you still need to formalise your residency. Here's the correct sequence:
Get your NIE
Apply at a Spanish consulate in your home country, or at a police station once you're in Spain. Without an NIE, you cannot open a bank account, sign contracts, or move to the next step.
⚠️ Appointments for NIE applications in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia can take weeks to secure. Book as early as possible — or use NIEasy.
Secure your accommodation
You'll need a rental contract, property deed, or a signed authorisation letter from your host. Most town halls won't process your padrón without evidence of where you live.
Empadronamiento (Padrón)
Register at your local Ayuntamiento with your passport, NIE, and rental contract. This proves your address and is required for your residency application.
⚠️ Some town halls accept passport-only registration, but most require the NIE. Get the NIE first.
Apply for EU Residency Certificate (EX-18)
Book a cita previa at the Oficina de Extranjería. Bring your NIE, padrón certificate, proof of income or employment, and health insurance. You'll receive the green paper certificate — this is your Residencia.
EU citizen? We handle the entire Residencia process for you.
NIEasy secures your appointment, prepares your documents, and sends a lawyer to attend on your behalf.
- ✓ Appointment secured for you
- ✓ Our lawyer attends on your behalf
- ✓ NIE number delivered in ~5 days
Path for non-EU citizens
For non-EU nationals, the process is more complex and starts before you even board the plane.
Apply for a visa (from your home country)
You must visit a Spanish consulate in your country of residence. Choose the right visa type: Non-Lucrative Visa, Work Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Student Visa, or Family Reunification. You cannot skip this step or do it from inside Spain.
⚠️ Each visa type has very different requirements. Research carefully — choosing the wrong visa wastes months.
Enter Spain
Once your visa is approved, travel to Spain. Your NIE number is typically already assigned and printed on your visa at this stage.
Empadronamiento (Padrón)
As soon as you have a stable address, register at your local Ayuntamiento. You'll need your passport and rental contract or property deed. This is required for your TIE application.
Apply for TIE (within 30 days)
Book an appointment at the Oficina de Extranjería. Bring your passport, visa, padrón certificate, completed EX-17 form, and photos. Your fingerprints will be taken. The physical card is ready to collect in 4–6 weeks.
⚠️ The 30-day deadline is strict. Missing it may result in fines and complications that delay your entire status. Don't let this slip.
The real cost of doing this yourself
Yes, the process is technically free (minus the small government fee). But "free" doesn't account for everything you actually spend.
Hours lost to an impossible appointment system
The cita previa system for NIE and Residencia appointments in major cities is notoriously brutal. Slots disappear within seconds of being released — often early on Monday mornings. Many people spend days or weeks refreshing a website, only to show up and be told a document is missing.
The wrong form — and you don't find out until you're there
EX-15, EX-17, EX-18 — picking the wrong one means a wasted trip. Spanish government websites are inconsistent, outdated, and often contradicted by the actual officers at the desk. There is no single source of truth.
Taking time off work to attend in person
EU Residencia appointments happen during working hours, at specific locations, with no flexibility. Miss it — for any reason — and you go back to the queue. In high-demand cities, that can mean another 4–6 week wait.
Language barriers at the worst possible moment
Officers at the Oficina de Extranjería often speak only Spanish. A misunderstood instruction, a missed detail, or an unclear question can mean rejection. "Come back with the corrected form" is not what you want to hear after a 2-hour wait.
Rejection means starting from scratch
If your application is rejected or incomplete, you don't just fix and resubmit. You rebook, you re-queue, you re-attend. In some cities that's another 4–8 weeks. In the meantime, you can't open bank accounts, sign contracts, or access services.
This is not a worst-case scenario — it is the typical experience for people navigating this alone for the first time.
| Task | ❌ Doing it yourself | ✓ With NIEasy |
|---|---|---|
| Book cita previa appointment | Hours of refreshing — slots gone in minutes | ✓ We secure it for you |
| Fill in correct government forms | Easy to pick the wrong form or make errors | ✓ Pre-filled and verified |
| Gather correct documents | Checklist varies by office — often unclear | ✓ Personalised checklist provided |
| Attend the appointment | You must take time off work and travel | ✓ Our lawyer attends for you |
| Handle rejection / re-booking | Start from scratch. More waiting. More stress. | ✓ We handle it at no extra cost |
| Receive your NIE | Weeks — if everything goes right first time | ✓ ~5 days from application |
| Total cost | Gov fee (€12) + your time + travel + stress | ✓ Fixed price, all-in |
Don't let bureaucracy derail your move to Spain.
NIEasy handles every step — from securing the appointment to delivering your NIE number — for a fixed, transparent price.
- ✓ Appointment secured for you
- ✓ Our lawyer attends on your behalf
- ✓ NIE number delivered in ~5 days
Common mistakes that derail people
Frequently asked questions
Can I get empadronamiento without an NIE?
Technically some town halls allow passport-only registration, but the majority request an NIE. In practice, it's safer and more reliable to get your NIE first — especially in larger cities where the padrón office will often turn you away without one.
Is the NIE permanent?
Yes. Your NIE number is assigned for life and never changes, even if you leave Spain and return years later. However, the paper certificate may need reprinting for certain transactions, as some offices treat older certificates as expired.
Is the TIE mandatory for EU citizens?
No. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens receive the green Residencia certificate (EX-18) instead of a plastic TIE card. The TIE is exclusively for non-EU nationals.
What happens if I miss the 30-day TIE deadline?
You may face administrative fines and complications when renewing your status later. Act quickly — book your appointment as soon as you arrive, not once you feel settled. If you've already missed the window, seek professional guidance on how to remedy it.
Do I need a padrón before applying for residency?
In most cases, yes. Both the EU Residencia (EX-18) and TIE applications require a padrón certificate as proof of address. Secure your accommodation and register at the Ayuntamiento as early as possible.
Can I open a bank account with just an NIE?
Yes — the NIE number is what most Spanish banks require. Some may also ask for proof of address or a padrón certificate, but the NIE is the essential piece. Having your NIE early gives you access to banking, which in turn makes everything else easier.
Can NIEasy help with all of these steps?
NIEasy currently specialises in securing the Residencia (EX-18) and NIE for EU citizens — the most time-consuming and frustrating part of the process. We handle the appointment, the paperwork, and the attendance, so you receive your documents without ever visiting a government office.
- The NIE is your starting point — an identification number, not proof of residency.
- Empadronamiento proves your address and unlocks most other steps.
- Residency is your legal right to stay — obtained via the green certificate (EU) or TIE application (non-EU).
- The TIE is the physical card for non-EU citizens — apply within 30 days of arrival.
The process is manageable when you understand the order. If you'd rather skip the queues, the forms, and the uncertainty entirely — NIEasy is here to help.