If you are about to move to Madrid in 2023, there is a good chance that you will have to face some administrative procedures. Whether it's to enroll in university, find housing, or even simply open a bank account, there are a few things you need to know to avoid wasting time and making mistakes. In this article, we are going to give you an overview of the main administrative procedures in Madrid in 2023, with an emphasis on getting the NIE (Identification Number for Foreigners) which is essential for all administrative procedures in Spain. This unique number is assigned to people who are not Spanish citizens and is required for all administrative formalities. By taking the time to learn and plan ahead, you can avoid mistakes and make Madrid feel comfortable. Whether you are looking to leave alone or accompanied, we will guide you through the process to make it easier for you.
Whether to work remotely, move abroad or study there, rare are those who were never attracted by an adventure beyond the Pyrenees. Travelling to Spain can sometimes be more complex than it seems. Indeed, some administrative formalities can be frightening; we will cite as an example the Número de Identificación de los Extranjeros, summed up in a terrifying acronym: NIE.
Note that it can be permanent as well as temporary and that it can mutate in order to become a card: the Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjeros, called TIE. At the end of this reading, you will know how to differentiate the three documents and you will be able to take the steps to obtain them.
You don't need to get a NIE to go on vacation in Spain! However, the valuable document is becoming mandatory for students and workers. Of the rest, The number is mandatory for everyday activities : open a bank account, ratify a gas or electricity contract or even register your vehicle.
Living in Spain therefore requires an NIE for practical purposes; although it is not mandatory, we strongly recommend it!
Let's get to the heart of the matter.
It comes in the form of a nine-character number: two letters and seven numbers on a sheet issued by the Spanish government. It is distributed for a validity of three months; it is however possible to apply for a new NIE after the period of three months and the number will remain the same, in fact it does not have an expiry date. This number allows you to buy in Spain, but is by no means a residence permit.
It is mandatory for all people who want to work in Spain for more than 90 days (students, workers, etc.). Sometimes called a “Green Card” because of its color, its exact administrative name is CCertificate of registration of ciudadanos de la Unión. It is the logical consequence of the temporary NIE in that it is necessary to have obtained the latter to apply for it. It allows you to reside in Spain for an indefinite period of time.
In addition to the classic nine-character number, it has a Número de Soporte.
Note that the address to which the applicant is attached should be written during the procedures; this means that'It must be renewed every time you change your home : OOOF.
Unlike the NIE, the Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjeros is a card and not a number. The TIE is a photo document that comes in the form of a card. This document is mainly intended for individuals who are not nationals of the European Union living in Spain because they cannot launch the necessary procedures to obtain a green card.. It is also necessary to provide the reason for your stay. As a result, a student's identification card will be different from that of a worker. The TIE makes it possible to identify a citizen, unlike the NIE, whether temporary or permanent.
However, it should be noted that the TIE must be renewed every five years; even though it can be used to justify permanent residence status.
The first way to get the document you are looking for is the easiest, but also the most expensive. It consists in contacting a specialized law firm. For a fee, they will be able to provide you with what you need.
You can do your temporary NIE alone! We explain to you in a few points how to do it.
You can do a Poder (=power) to a notary so that your friend at destination can go to your place to get your NIE.
You need to make an appointment with a Spanish consulate! To do this, click on This link on which all Spanish consulates in France appear. If you are in another country, it is possible to find the consulate closest to you with This link !
You need to make an appointment on The official website of the Spanish government. No matter where you are, you can make this appointment in all provinces! Nevertheless... appointments are difficult to obtain due to high demand. You will therefore have to be patient... In general, police stations add the appointments available on Friday morning at half past nine. Build up the courage and refresh the page until you get an appointment. We wish you luck!
In any case, you will have to present the following documents at this appointment:
With regard to the permanent NIE, making an appointment with a specialized state authority is done in the same way as for the temporary NIE.
However, the documents to be provided are different:
Here are the documents required to obtain the famous card:
Have you defined what document you need? Have you made an appointment? Have you gathered all the required documents? Congratulations!!! You now have the document you want.
We remind you one last time: if you ever do not like administrative formalities, we take care of doing the NIE for you for a small fee — we eat.
For a European national, it is useless to take the necessary steps to obtain the TIE ; this one being essential for people coming from other continents.
If you are a student and want to continue your studies in Madrid in 2023, you will have to enroll in the university. The procedure may vary depending on the university and nationality, but here are the general steps to follow:
Before starting the registration process, you will need to prepare the necessary documents such as your diploma, passport, proof of residence, and passport photo. It's important to make sure you have everything you need before you start, otherwise you may lose time.
Most universities in Madrid offer an online registration procedure, you will need to fill out an online form to apply. It is quite simple, but remember to check that all the information is correct before validating the form.
Once your application has been accepted, you will have to pay the registration fees to validate your registration. It's usually pretty easy, you can pay online or in person.
Finally, you will need to present physical documents such as your diploma, passport, proof of residence, and a photo ID at the university. This is usually the last step before you can start classes.
There you go, you now have a general idea of the administrative procedures to be carried out when you move to Madrid in 2023, focusing on university enrollment. It is important to properly prepare the necessary documents and to follow the steps indicated to avoid mistakes. It is also necessary to mention that Obtaining a NIE (Identification Number for Foreigners) is necessary for all administrative procedures in Spain. It is a unique number that is assigned to people who are not Spanish citizens and is necessary for all administrative formalities. We therefore advise you to take care of it as soon as possible to avoid later complications. By taking the time to learn and plan ahead, you can avoid mistakes and make Madrid feel comfortable.
If you enjoyed our article on the subject of administrative procedures in 2023, we invite you to read our complete guide on the installation in Madrid! We give you all the information you need to help you make the right decision!
We cover all the important aspects of installation at Madrid, from housing to daily life through local attractions as well as practical information. With this guide, you will have all the information you need to answer any questions you may have before making the decision to pack your bags and move to Madrid.
