The NIE is a number
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is a sequence in the format X-1234567-A. It is your tax and administrative identifier in Spain, and it does not expire: it stays with you even if your situation changes or you leave the country. It is applied for with form EX-15, and since no card is issued, many number-assignment procedures do not ask for a photograph.
The TIE is a card
The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero is the physical document proving you legally reside in Spain. It carries your photo, your fingerprints and that same NIE number printed on it. It expires, it is renewed, and it is applied for with form EX-17 after a favourable decision. Here the photograph is compulsory and is handed in at the fingerprint appointment.
Put another way: the NIE is the number written on the TIE. Having a NIE does not mean having residence; having a TIE does.
Which one applies to you
| Situation | Document | Photo? |
|---|---|---|
| Buying a house or opening an account without residing | NIE only (EX-15) | Usually not |
| Residence through work, study or arraigo | TIE (EX-17) | Yes, 26 × 32 mm |
| EU citizen registering | Green certificate | Depends on the procedure |
| Non-EU family member of an EU citizen | Family member TIE | Yes, 26 × 32 mm |
| Renewal or long-term residence | TIE | Yes, 26 × 32 mm |
When a photo is needed, it is always the same one
There is no “NIE format” distinct from a “TIE format”. When a procedure asks for a photograph, it asks for the DNI one: 26 × 32 mm, in colour, plain uniform white background, front-facing and with the head uncovered. The details, the reasons photos get rejected and what to take to the appointment are in the TIE photo guide.
And if in doubt, bring the photo anyway: it costs three euros and saves you being sent to a photo booth halfway through the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NIE expire?
The number does not. What expires is the card that carries it, or the registration certificate, depending on the case.
I have a NIE but no TIE — can I work?
The number alone does not authorise you to reside or work. What authorises it is the residence decision, and the TIE is its physical proof.
Can I book a TIE appointment without a NIE?
The number is assigned within the residence file itself, so by the time you reach the fingerprint appointment you already have it.