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 Fuerteventura
Sorting the nie number vs nie card in Fuerteventura means dealing with Oficina de Extranjería de Fuerteventura and its limited appointments. We monitor the system daily and handle the paperwork for residents from Morro Jable and Caleta de Fuste.
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.