If you’re planning to stay in Madrid for more than three months as an international student, one of the first things you’ll need to secure is your NIE, or Número de Identificación de Extranjero. Think of it as your all-access pass to life in Spain—whether you’re opening a bank account, renting an apartment, signing up for health insurance, or even working part-time, your NIE is the key.

But here’s where it can get a bit confusing: The NIE is not a physical card, it’s actually just a number. For students, especially non-EU citizens, this number gets tied to a physical residency card called the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). So, while you’ll hear “NIE” thrown around a lot, you’re often going to be applying for the TIE, which has your NIE number on it.

The TIE is usually valid for one year, and after that, you’ll need to renew it. But don’t worry—we’ve got another guide on the renewal process for when the time comes. For now, let’s focus on the steps for how to get NIE in Madrid for the first time.

Here’s what you will learn in this article:

  • Comparison of NIE Process for EU and Non-EU Students
  • Step-by-Step Guide for EU Students
  • Step-by-Step Guide for Non-EU Students
  • How ESE Supports Students in Getting Their NIE

Comparison of NIE Process for EU and Non-EU Students

The process for getting your NIE in Madrid is essential, but it varies slightly depending on whether you’re an EU or Non-EU citizen. Let’s break it down simply so you can get a sense of which process applies to you.

If you’re an EU student, you have a bit of an advantage because Spain already recognizes your right to live here without a visa. The process is straightforward: you need to apply for your NIE within the first three months of your stay. You’ll fill out a few forms, gather some documents, and attend an appointment to get everything submitted. Your NIE won’t be a physical card—it’s just a number that’s tied to your residency in Spain.

For Non-EU students, things are a bit more detailed. Since you’re coming in on a student visa, your NIE is tied to a physical card called the TIE. You’ll need to apply within the first 30 days of arriving in Spain. The process involves converting your visa into a residency permit, which means extra paperwork, an appointment for fingerprinting, and getting your TIE (the actual card). It takes a little longer, but it’s absolutely essential for you to stay in Spain legally for the duration of your studies.

While the core idea is the same—registering yourself as a foreign resident—the process for Non-EU students has more steps because you’re dealing with visa conversion. But don’t worry, the system might seem complex at first, but with some patience and preparation, you will get your NIE!

Step-by-Step Guide for EU Students

If you’re an EU student, here’s a clear breakdown of how to apply for your NIE and what to expect.

Step 1: Booking Your NIE Appointment

To kick off the process, you’ll need to schedule an appointment (cita previa) at one of Madrid’s immigration offices, specifically for the NIE. Here’s how you can book it online:

  • Visit the Extranjería website (this is where you’ll make the appointment). You’ll want to select “Madrid” as your province.
  • Choose the appropriate office where you’ll handle your NIE application. For EU students, you’ll want to select the option for Certificados de Registros de Ciudadano de la U.E., which translates to the certificate for EU citizen registration.
  • Best location: The recommended office for students is often CNP Padre Piquer, located at Padre Piquer, 18. It’s fairly straightforward, but any CNP location listed on the website will allow you to go through the necessary processes to get your NIE.

If you run into issues finding available appointments, don’t get discouraged—it can take a few tries to lock one down. Keep checking the system, especially early in the morning at 8 AM when the appointment slots are often added.

Step 2: Gathering Required Documents

Once your appointment is booked, the next step is to gather all the necessary paperwork. Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Passport: You’ll need your original valid passport and a photocopy of the whole passport (even the blank pages).
  2. Proof of Enrollment: Bring an official document from your educational institution, like your enrollment certificate or acceptance letter from the university. This proves you’re studying in Spain.
  3. Health Insurance: You’ll need proof of your health insurance coverage. If you’re using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), make sure to bring a copy of that. If you have private insurance (which might be easier), make sure it’s valid in Spain.
  4. Proof of Sufficient Resources: You’ll need to show that you have enough financial means to support yourself during your stay. This can be in the form of bank statements and a letter of financial support from a family member.
  5. TASA 790 (Código 012) Form and Payment Receipt: You’ll need to fill out the TASA 790 012 form and pay a fee (€9.84) at any Spanish bank. As you’re filling out the form – under “Autoliquidación”, select “Asignación de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) a instancia del interesado”. The bank will stamp your form as proof of payment, which you must bring to your appointment. Be sure to go to the bank until 11 AM—as they only process these payments in the mornings until this specific time.
  6. EX-18 Form: This is the official residency form for EU citizens. You’ll need to fill it out with your personal details and the reason for your stay under 1) DATOS DEL SOLICITANTE and 4) SITUACIÓN EN ESPAÑA.

Important Tip: Make sure that all foreign documents are translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Make photocopies of every document you bring. Spanish bureaucracy loves paperwork, and having duplicates will save you time (and headaches). Bring both originals and copies to the appointment.

Step 3: Attending the Appointment

On the day of your appointment, make sure you arrive a little early, just in case. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Present Your Documents: You should bring all the documents listed above and hand them over to the police representative. They will check that everything is in order.
  • Appointment Logistics: Most of the time, the process is pretty quick. You’ll get a confirmation of your NIE registration, and you’re done! Your NIE is simply a number tied to your residency—it won’t come as a physical card for EU students, so make sure to take note of it.

Once you have your NIE, you’re officially registered to live and study in Spain! Keep in mind that the process might take a little time depending on how busy the office is, but this is the key step to getting everything sorted out as a student in Madrid.

Step-by-Step Guide for Non-EU Students

As a Non-EU student coming to Madrid, you’ll be required to get both a NIE and a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), the physical residency card that allows you to stay legally in Spain for the duration of your studies. We’ll break the process down here step-by-step so it’s easy to follow.

Step 1: Booking Your NIE Appointment

The first thing you need to do once you arrive in Spain is to book your NIE appointment. This has to be done within the first 30 days of your arrival, so make sure to prioritize it! Here’s how:

  • Visit the Extranjería website to book an appointment (cita previa). You’ll choose “Madrid” as your province and select any CNP department and select the option for Policía – Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta, renovación de tarjeta). This is the appointment for taking your fingerprints and submitting the necessary documents.
  • It’s important to book early because appointment slots fill up fast. If you don’t find any available appointments, check back frequently, especially early in the morning when new slots open (8 AM).

Step 2: Gathering Required Documents

You’ll need to prepare a set of documents to bring to your appointment. Make sure you have both originals and copies of everything. Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Passport and Copies: You’ll need the original passport and photocopies of all pages. Your passport should also include  your visa, so make sure to have that page copied as well.
  2. Proof of Enrollment: Provide an official letter from your university (like your acceptance letter) or enrollment certificate, proving that you’re studying in Spain.
  3. Health Insurance: As a Non-EU student, you’ll need private health insurance that’s valid in Spain. Bring your insurance policy and proof of coverage, ideally from a Spanish provider like Adeslas or Sanitas.
  4. Padron Certificate (Empadronamiento): This is a document that proves your residency in Madrid. You’ll need to get this from the local town hall (Ayuntamiento) where you’re living. You can book a cita previa (appointment) on this website, select “accesso sin identificar”, under the category (categoría) dropdown menu, select “padrón y censo,” and then for trámite you should select “certificado de empadronamiento.” To obtain the certificate, you’ll need to have your rental agreement (contract), passport, and Hoja Padronal filled out at the appointment. If you don’t have this certificate before your TIE appointment, the application can be delayed, so it’s best to get this sorted out early.
  5. Passport Photos: You’ll need a couple of passport-sized photos. There are photo booths in most metro stations, so you can easily get these done if needed.
  6. Proof of Sufficient Resources: You’ll need to show that you have enough financial means to support yourself during your stay. This can be in the form of bank statements and a letter of financial support from a family member.
  7. TASA 790 (Código 012) Form and Payment Receipt: Similar to EU students, you’ll need to fill out the TASA 790 012 form and pay a fee (€16.08) at a local bank. In the form, you’ll select “TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal” as the reason. After filling it out, take it to any bank before 11 AM to pay the fee and the bank will stamp the form as proof of payment, which you’ll need to bring to your appointment.
  8. EX-17 Form: This is the official application form for converting your visa into a TIE. You’ll need to fill it out with your personal details and reason for your stay. You’ll start by filling in your personal data (name, nationality, address in Spain, etc) in box 1) and In box 4), select “Tarjeta inicial” since it’s your first time applying for the residency card. 

Important Tip: All foreign documents must be translated into Spanish. You should have a certified translator for this (translated document should be certified by notary). Spanish bureaucracy can be strict, and missing or incorrect paperwork can result in delays.

Step 3: Attending the Appointment

When the day of your appointment arrives, here’s what to expect:

  • Present Your Documents: Bring all your documents listed above, including your passport, visa, proof of enrollment, health insurance, padron, proof of sufficient funds, EX-17 form, and the stamped TASA 790 012 payment receipt. Make sure you also have your passport photos ready.
  • Fingerprinting: At the appointment, they’ll take your fingerprints as part of the process. This step is critical for issuing your TIE card.
  • What Happens Next: After your appointment, your documents will be processed, and you’ll be given a temporary document confirming your application. It usually takes a few weeks for the TIE card to be ready.
  • Collecting Your TIE: Once your card is ready (around 4-6 weeks later), you’ll need make another appointment for “recogida de TIE” on the same website, and you will need to return to the immigration office to collect it. Make sure to keep the temporary document they give you after the first appointment—you’ll need this and your passport to pick up your TIE.

With these steps, you’ll be all set to get your NIE and TIE in Madrid. The process takes some patience, but once it’s done, you’ll have everything you need to legally stay in Spain for your studies.

How ESE Supports Students in Getting Their NIE

At the European School of Economics (ESE) Madrid Campus, we understand that navigating Spanish bureaucracy, especially when it comes to getting your NIE for the first time as a student, can feel overwhelming. That’s why our Student Services team is here to support you every step of the way, making sure the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re an EU or Non-EU student, we offer personalized guidance through each part of the application—whether it’s booking your cita previa (appointment), filling out forms like the EX-17 or EX-18, or making sure you have all the correct documents in place. We know it’s easy to miss something important, which is why we provide tailored support to review your paperwork and catch any errors before you attend your appointment. 

Beyond personalized assistance, ESE organizes workshops and resources designed to help you manage the bureaucratic side of studying in Spain. We regularly invite lawyers and legal experts to campus, giving students a chance to hear directly from professionals about the NIE process and other legal requirements for living in Spain. These workshops are a great opportunity for students to ask specific questions, learn about recent changes in the law, and ensure they’re on the right track.

Getting your NIE might seem complicated, but trust me, once you’ve got it sorted, life in Madrid becomes a whole lot easier! The most important thing is to start early and make sure your documents are all in check. Being organized will save you from running around at the last minute.

For EU students, the process is pretty quick—expect to get your NIE within a few weeks. Non-EU students, it’ll take a bit longer (around 4-6 weeks) to get your TIE.

Need help with your NIE process in Madrid? Reach out to ESE’s Student Services and get personalized support. We’re here to guide you!

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