Kempt
In short
An NIE is requested on form EX-15 with your passport and the 790 código 012 fee paid.If you’re authorised to stay more than 6 months, request your TIE in person within a month of entry or of the authorisation taking effect. Renew in the 2 months before expiry. Arraigo, under RD 1155/2024 (in force since 20 May 2025), needs 2 years’ continuous stay, no criminal record and, since April 2026, no other residence procedure pending.
Without any app
NIE
Form EX-15 stating why you need it, your passport and a copy, and the 790 código 012 fee, at a police or foreigners’ office (or a consulate from abroad). The rules give 5 days to resolve it.
TIE
Required when you’re authorised to stay more than 6 months. Ask for it in person within 1 month of entering Spain or of the authorisation taking effect, usually with form EX-17, the fee, your passport, a photo and the resolution. It lasts as long as your authorisation.
Renewal
Apply in the 2 months before your authorisation expires: filing on time keeps it valid until the decision. Filing within 3 months after expiry is still accepted, but a sanction procedure may be opened.
Arraigo: common requirements
Two years of continuous stay (none for arraigo familiar), no criminal record, a complete passport copy, and criminal record certificates from the countries you lived in during the 5 years before arriving. Since RD 316/2026 (16 April 2026), no other stay or residence procedure may be pending.
Pick the route
Sociolaboral: contracts paying at least the minimum wage, 20 hours a week or more. Social: family ties with legal residents and means of at least 100% IPREM, or a favourable integration report. Socioformativo: qualifying training plus an integration report. Each gives 1 year (familiar: 5).
| Route | Key requirement | Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Sociolaboral | Job contracts at or above minimum wage, 20 h/week or more | 1 year |
| Social | Family ties with legal residents and 100% IPREM, or an integration report | 1 year |
| Socioformativo | Enrolment in qualifying training and an integration report | 1 year |
| Familiar | Family of a Spanish citizen (no 2-year stay needed) | 5 years |
The extraordinary arraigo window (RD 316/2026) closed on 30 June 2026. Check extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es for your case.
With Kempt
- 1
Two years of proof, findable
Arraigo means proving your stay month by month. Kempt names every scan, bill and certificate with its month and issuer, so “everything from 2024” is one sorted folder, and Ask finds “my empadronamiento” in Spanish or English.
- 2
Papers that age, flagged
In a dossier, Kempt marks a paper outdated when it’s older than the dossier allows and tells you when a newer one arrives.
- 3
Copies in one place
Export the papers as copies and one merged PDF for your appointment or online filing. Originals are never changed.
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Questions people ask
How long does an NIE take?
The regulation gives the authorities 5 days to resolve an NIE request; getting an appointment usually takes longer.
When do I need a TIE instead of just an NIE?
When you’re authorised to stay in Spain more than 6 months. Request it within a month of entry or of the authorisation taking effect.
Can I work while my arraigo sociolaboral is processed?
The reglamento, as amended in 2026, allows provisional work once the application is admitted for processing.
Is the extraordinary regularisation still open?
No. The arraigo extraordinario window under RD 316/2026 closed on 30 June 2026.
What’s the difference between an NIE and a TIE?
The NIE is your foreigner’s identification number. The TIE is the physical card carrying that number, required when you’re authorised to stay more than 6 months.
What if my TIE has expired?
Renew in the 2 months before expiry. Applications up to 3 months after are still accepted, but a sanction procedure may be opened.
Does arraigo need a criminal record certificate?
Yes: from the countries you lived in during the 5 years before entering Spain.