Useful Information

What is the difference between the NIE- TIE & EU Residency Certificate?

NIE and TIE are two different documents:

NIE

Número de Identidad del Extranjero (foreigners identification number)

Is a number assigned to all foreigners who, for economic, professional, or social reasons, are engaged in activities related to Spain and require identification in this country. Every foreigner who wants to live in Spain for more than three months needs to get it, whether they are EU citizens or Non-EU citizens. The NIE is also your Spanish tax identification number and it will never change. It will always identify you as a foreigner in Spain. It is issued on a white sheet of paper A4 size.
Even if you are staying in Spain for less than three months and have to arrange various things such as internet, telephone, gas, water, electricity, an NIE number is necessary.
It's important to understand that a NIE identifies the bearer to all levels of the Spanish public administration, but does not entitle the holder to reside in Spain or prove residence there.
A NIE may be requested directly in Spain or at the Consular Office of the applicant's country of residence before coming to Spain.

TIE

Tajeta de Identidad del Extranjero (Foreigner’s Identification Card)

Is a card all non-EU foreign residents have to obligation to apply for if they live in Spain for more than 6 months. You can only get a TIE if you are legally authorized to live in Spain. This card has a photo on it and your NIE number will appear on it. It also states the type of residence permit that the cardholder has. It’s the document that proves that a foreigner is living legally in Spain.

NIE vs TIE

Wich are the differences?

The NIE is automatically issued to a foreigner when they start an administrative process, while the TIE (just for non-Eu foreigners) has to be applied for, once the residence permit has been granted.
The NIE never expires, but the TIE does.
The TIE is a physical card, while the NIE isn’t.
If you lose the right to live in Spain or if you commit a criminal offense, your TIE will be withdrawn but your NIE will still be valid.

EU Residency Certificate

or NIE Green Card

Is issued to EU passport holders. If you are an EU/EEA citizen and would like to stay longer than 90 days in Spain, then you will have to register with the authorities to get a “EU residency certificate”.This card has the Foreigner’s Identification Number but doesn’t have a photo on it , that's why it must always be accompanied by the national document to prove the identity. EU foreigners do not need a TIE.

What Documents are needed to live, study & work legally in Valencia?

Understanding Spain immigration procedures can be a real problem, because the immigration requirements are complex.

Here is a guide about some basic issues, to help you go through the bureaucratic paperwork understanding it.
The documents that you will need to apply for depend mostly on where you are from, how long you'll be staying and what you will be doing during your time in Spain.

Spain Digital Nomad VISA

Now it's easier than ever. As of June 2023 remote workers and freelancers form non-EU/EEA countries and working remotely for a Co. or an employer located outside of Spain, can obtain this visa to reside legally without committing to long-term residency. It offers a provisional stay of up to 1 year, which can be extended up to a maximum of 5 years.

Requirements:
- Demonstrate that the work you perform can be done remotely.
- The company you work for must be at least one year in business and be based outside Spain.
- If you are self-employed, you must be able to demonstrate that you are well established and that you have a steady flow of clients.
- You must hold a bachelor's or master's degree from a recognized university, college or business school, or have at least three years of work experience in your current professional field.
- You must be financially stable. You must be able to prove your income with employment contracts, pay slips and bank statements.
-Must have a clean criminal record.
- Not having resided in Spain in the last 5 years.

Things that are good to consider before applying to the Nomad Visa:
It is important to be aware of your tax obligations as the tax rate on your income can vary greatly from case to case. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain, you are considered a tax resident.
- As a resident working remotely in Spain, EU citizens are subject to Spanish tax legislation, including income tax and social security contributions. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain during a year, you are considered a resident for tax purposes.
- Non-residents with a digital nomad visa are subject to a tax rate of 24%, applicable up to 600,000 € per year during the first four years of stay in Spain. Income above that amount is taxed at 48%.

Spain has double taxation agreements with 90 countries. This means that if you already pay tax on your income in one of these countries, you are not subject to double taxation in Spain.

Golden Visa Spain

Golden Visa Spain is a visa issued to non-EU nationals, granting them and their family members permission to reside in Spain and access visa-free to the Schengen area when making a significant investment in the Spanish economy.

The most common way to obtain a Gold Visa for Spain is through the purchase of real estate with a minimum investment of 500,000 euros (95% of all Golden Visas in Spain are granted via investing in real estate). If you invest 2,000,000 Euro in Spanish public debt and keep the investment for a minimum of 5 years, you are also able to apply for the Golden Visa Spain. Other options are investing 1,000,000 Euro in shares or stocks from a Spanish company or depositing a minimum amount of 1,000,000 Euro in a Spanish bank account.
If you have received a job offer and are hired as a highly qualified professional in a Spanish company, you are also eligible for a Golden Visa Spain.
Starting a business of special interest to the Spanish economy and/or society also qualifies you for a Golden Visa Spain.

Holders of a Golden Visa in Spain, together with their family members, have the allowance to live anywhere within the Spanish territory, independently of the city or region where they made the investment or applied for the visa.

Rights and benefits :

- Authorisation to reside in Spain.
Successful applicants will receive the Golden Visa, which will grant them residence in Spain for one year. During this first year, they must enter Spain and exchange this visa for a residence permit in Spain; this second permit will be valid for two years, as long as the holder maintains the investment and continues to meet all the requirements. Know that the residence permit in Spain can be extended.
As a foreigner with permission to live in Spain, you can enter and leave the country as often as you wish. However, if you choose to apply for Spanish nationality, you will have to stay in Spain for a minimum of 6 months per year.

- Consent to extend rights and benefits to family members.
When you obtain a Golden Visa in Spain, your immediate family members (spouse or partner, children under the age of 18, economically dependent adult children and parents) can also benefit from it, as all your rights as a Golden Visa holder will be extended to them as well.

- Authorisation to work in Spain.
Golden Visa holders are allowed to work in Spain, either as self-employed (freelance) or as an employee in a local or international company.

- Freedom to travel within the Schengen area.
With a Golden Visa - and therefore being a resident of the European Union - you can travel freely to any of the 26 Schengen countries without a visa.

- Use of public services.
The Golden Visa holder and the family members will be able to use Spanish public services, such as health and education.

- Possibility of obtaining Spanish nationality after 10 years.
Spanish residents can acquire Spanish nationality after having lived in Spain for 10 years. Some requirements apply to those wishing to become citizens, such as having lived a minimum of 183 days each year in Spain for the last 10 years.