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NIE Number vs NIE Card vs TIE in Palma

Three terms are constantly mixed up — the NIE number, the green EU certificate and the TIE card. They are related but not the same, and knowing which one you need in Palma saves you a wasted appointment.

The NIE number

This is the identification number itself (letter + 7 digits + letter). Everyone — EU and non-EU — gets one. On its own it is just a number printed on a document.

The green EU certificate / card

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who reside in Spain receive a green A4 certificate or a credit-card-sized green card. It contains the NIE number plus your registered address and proves you are registered as an EU resident.

The TIE card

Non-EU citizens receive a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) — a physical card with photo and fingerprint that shows your NIE number and your residence permit type and validity. It is the document non-EU residents must carry.

In Palma

From El Terreno to Portixol, newcomers rely on us for the nie number vs nie card in Palma. We prepare every document to the Oficina de Extranjería de Illes Balears (Palma) standard so nothing gets sent back.

Frequently asked questions

No, EU citizens get the green certificate, not a TIE.

The certificate (EU) or the TIE (non-EU). The bare NIE number does not by itself grant residence.
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Everything about your NIE in Palma

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