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NIE, TIE, Residencia, Padrón etc - the terminology alone can be confusing!
Super helpful member
Thanks for this explanation are due to Brexpats in Spain -
“NIE, TIE, Residencia, Padrón etc - the terminology alone can be confusing so let me try to explain.
“The Padrón comes from your local Town Hall and is their list of inhabitants. It is needed for many transactions here (registering with a doctor, getting a child into school etc). If asked to present it, ensure it is dated within the last 3 months.
“The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a white A4 paper showing we have an ID number which is ours for life. You may need this to buy a car or a property for example but you do not need to be a resident. New rule here is that an appointed proxy cannot now apply for it on your behalf, it has to be done in person.
“The Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE (the green residency for EU citizens). This can be on green A4 paper or more recently credit card-sized. You must apply for it if you intend to reside here for more than 90 days. After 5 years you can apply to make it permanent.
“The TIE (Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero). This is the card required by non EU citizens to prove residency here and since we shall become non EU citizens after Brexit we are likely to need to exchange our green residency for this but only when Spain has decided how it wants to process us.
“The added confusion is that the Spanish wrongly call our green residency our NIE! So if asked by a Spanish authority to show our NIE they mean the green card - which we wrongly call our Residencia. The *real* Residencia is the TIE and does not apply to us yet because we are still EU citizens.
“Confusing? Yes it can be but be sure to have your green residency card handy if you here for more than 90 days, update it with current address and make it permanent if possible. Appointments are still being offered but we are not sure till when so don't delay. Do not make appointments yet for your TIE application. Rumours abound that you should but until Spain decides what to do with us, it is pointless just yet.
“It’s also important to exchange your UK driving licence. Rumours abound as well that the IDP (International Driving Permit) will suffice - it will not! If you are resident here exchange your British driving licence for a Spanish one. Don't risk it - unless you are confident to take your driving test here and in Spanish because that could ultimately be your 'reward' for not exchanging it on time!
“The best explanation I can give of the difference between a green residency card and the TIE is that the existing green card proves our RIGHT as an EU CITIZEN to reside here and the TIE proves we have been given PERMISSION by Spain to reside here.”
Chris
