There are two types of NIE: the so-called ‘white’ or provisional NIE and the so-called ‘green’ or permanent NIE, also known as the ‘Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea’. The white NIE is easier to obtain than the green one, but it is also more restrictive. You can apply in person or complete the forms online and then make the payment online, provided you have a bank account in Spain.The green NIE, on the other hand, is a permanent NIE which certifies that you are a tax resident in Spain and, consequently, eligible and entitled to the same rights as all those born and resident in Spain who are working legally and paying tax. The green NIE certifies that you are actively participating in society, i.e. that you pay taxes in Spain and are resident there.An important and useful thing to know is that, once the Spanish Government has issued the green NIE (via the police force), it requires a check on your residential and employment status every 5 years; once it has been verified that you meet these specific requirements, the NIE is automatically updated. This step is essential and mandatory, and failure to comply results in fairly hefty fines ranging from 250 to 600 euros if the police establish that the NIE has not been updated.To obtain the green or permanent NIE, certain requirements must be met, as stipulated by the relevant Spanish government body – in this case, the Police Force. There are only four circumstances under which an applicant may obtain the green NIE:
1. as a general
employee; 2. as a self-employed person;
3. as a pensioner
; 4. if not in employment, it is necessary to take out prepaid insurance for 12 and deposit approximately 5.300 euros into a bank account in the name of the person applying for the NIE.
