Everything you need to know about the green NIE, the TIE card, and EU citizen registration
If you already have a NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), you’re halfway through the process of settling in Spain. However, there’s still one more essential step: officially registering your residence in Spain, and getting a document that proves it — known by many as the residency card, green NIE, or simply “the green card.”
But what exactly is this document, and when do you need to get it?
🇪🇺 What is the “Green NIE” or “Residency Card”?
The official name is:
Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea
This is a small green paper-format certificate that includes:
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Your full name
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Your Spanish NIE number
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Your Spanish residential address
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Proof that you’ve been officially registered in the Central Registry of Foreign Nationals (Registro Central de Extranjeros)
📌 While many refer to it as the “residency card,” it’s not the same as the TIE plastic card issued to non-EU nationals.
This is more of a registration certificate, confirming that you are legally residing in Spain for more than 3 months as an EU citizen.
⚖️ Is It Really Mandatory? – The Laws Behind It
Some people think free movement within the EU means this certificate isn’t necessary. But in reality, three official laws make it mandatory to register:
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Directive 2004/38/EC – EU law on free movement
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Real Decreto 240/2007, of February 16
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Orden PRE/1490/2012, of July 9
Under these laws, every EU citizen who intends to stay in Spain for more than 90 days must register with the local immigration office and obtain this certificate.
🧾 Who Can Get the “Residency Card”?
To obtain the green certificate, you must meet one of the following conditions:
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You are employed in Spain
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You are self-employed in Spain
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You have sufficient financial means to support yourself (and your family) during your stay in Spain, and private or public health insurance
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You are a student enrolled in a recognized public or private institution
📎 Whichever option applies to you, you must provide supporting documents when submitting your application.
🕒 When Do You Need to Apply?
If you are staying in Spain longer than 90 days, registration is mandatory.
Many assume that in the Schengen Zone, checks aren’t enforced. That may be true for border crossings, but:
Do you use your bank card in Spain?
Have a rental contract?
Know your neighbors or landlord personally?
Shop at local stores regularly?
All of these create a trail of evidence about how long you’ve really been in the country — and if authorities ever investigate, it’s easy to trace your residency.
💡 So, if you’re planning to stay in Spain long-term, don’t skip this step.
📌 What Is the Green NIE Card Used For?
Let’s clarify some key points:
❌ It is not an official ID card
❌ It is not a proof of address
✅ But it does include your NIE number and your Spanish address
✅ It serves as proof that your stay in Spain is legal and properly registered
📍 In many official processes (at banks, insurance offices, traffic stops, etc.), you’ll need to present this green certificate together with your passport or national ID.
The NIE number is the identifier that most systems and institutions will use.
⏳ How Long Is It Valid?
While the certificate doesn’t show an expiration date, it is valid for five (5) years.
After that, you can apply for permanent EU residency in Spain by submitting a new application and supporting documents.
🛠️ Where and How to Apply
You must apply at the immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) or local police station, depending on your region of residence.
🖱️ Book your appointment online:
👉 https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
📍 The Move2Marbella team provides full assistance across these areas:
Marbella, Málaga, Fuengirola, Estepona, Benalmádena, Ronda, Torremolinos, Vélez-Málaga, Antequera, and surrounding regions.
🧑💼 Need Help With the Process?
Many people get overwhelmed with Spanish paperwork, online appointment systems, and unfamiliar legal terms — but you don’t have to go through it alone.
We help you with every step of the process:
📄 Preparing the required documents
🖥️ Booking your appointment (Cita Previa)
👮♂️ Accompanying you to the immigration office
📎 And finally — obtaining your certificate
📞 Get In Touch With Us Today!
✔️ Our experienced team will handle the process quickly and efficiently
✔️ We have direct experience with local authorities
✔️ We’ve helped hundreds of EU residents successfully register across the Costa del Sol
👉 Book your consultation today, and make your life in Spain fully legal, safe, and stress-free.
🔗 Still don’t have a NIE number? Start here:
📘 How to obtain a NIE number in Spain
