Lost your NIE in Spain: How to replace your certificate and TIE card 2026

First things first: if your NIE certificate or TIE card is lost or stolen in Spain, you do not lose the number itself. The NIE is tied to you for life and does not expire due to a change of address or a change in residence status. What is gone is only the physical document — and that can be replaced. In this guide you will find out which three routes are available for replacement on Mallorca, which forms and fees are involved, what additional steps are required if your TIE card has been stolen, and how to avoid common mistakes when making your application.

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• Everything you need to know about authorities & registration in Spain

NIE and TIE: what is what?

Before we go through the steps, it is worth a brief clarification of terms — as the two documents are often confused.

The NIE is purely an identification and tax number — not a residence permit. The TIE, on the other hand, is the physical identity card that proves you are legally resident in Spain as a non-EU citizen. It contains your photograph, your personal details, the type of residence permit you hold, and — importantly — your NIE number.

EU citizens living on Mallorca generally do not hold a TIE but instead the green certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión). In the event of loss, a slightly different process applies to them, which is covered further below.

Please note: The TIE has an expiry date. The NIE number itself never expires — not even if you commit a criminal offence or lose your right of residence.

Option 1: Duplicate from the Comisaría in Palma de Mallorca

For everyone with their residence on Mallorca, the Policía Nacional in Palma is the fastest option.

Step by step

1. Book a Cita Previa via the ICP+ portal of the Policía Nacional (sede.policia.gob.es). Select the "Extranjería" section and the appointment type for NIE/TIE.
2. Print and pay the Modelo 790-012 – the fee is approximately 9,84 €. Payment is possible at most Spanish banks or cash machines.
3. Complete form EX-15 – the official application form for NIE assignment, which you also use for a "Solicitud de duplicado" (duplicate application).
4. Gather your documents (see table below).
5. Attend your appointment at the relevant Comisaría or Oficina de Extranjería in Palma.
6. Await the decision – processing time is generally 1–2 weeks.

Documents required for the NIE duplicate (Palma)

Note: The availability of appointments in Palma fluctuates seasonally. In high summer and around public holidays, waiting times can stretch to several weeks. Book as early as possible or have a gestor secure the appointment on your behalf.

Route 2: Application via the Spanish Consulate in Germany

Anyone who is not currently on Mallorca or cannot get an appointment at the Policía Nacional can alternatively use the relevant Spanish Consulate in Germany.

The fee at the consulate is approximately 6 € (consular rate). Processing time is generally 4–8 weeks — considerably longer than the in-country route. Please note that some consulates may request additional supporting documents.

Note: The consulate route is particularly suitable if you are temporarily back in Germany and do not have time to travel to Palma for a single administrative appointment.

Route 3: If you only need the number

Sometimes the original document is not required – for instance, if you simply need to provide your NIE number for a contract, a banking formality, or a tax return. In that case, there are two quicker options:

Hacienda / Modelo 030: Through the Spanish tax authority AEAT, you can use the Modelo 030 to request or confirm your tax identification number. This route gives you the number, but not the physical original document.

Vida Laboral: If you have worked in Spain and paid social security contributions, the social security statement (Vida Laboral) will also contain your NIE number. You can retrieve this statement online via the Seguridad Social.

Please note: Banks and notaries in Mallorca will, for certain transactions, only accept the official original NIE document or the TIE. Always check in advance which form of proof is sufficient for your specific situation.

TIE card lost or stolen: what else applies?

For the TIE card (the physical residence card for non-EU citizens), essentially the same routes apply – with a few additional requirements.

Step by step for a lost or stolen TIE

1. In the event of theft: file a denuncia with the Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil. The theft report is important in case the card is used fraudulently.
2. Book a Cita Previa for "Renovación/Duplicado de TIE" via the ICP+ portal.
3. Complete form EX-17 or EX-23 – depending on your type of residence permit (standard residence or long-term residence); if in doubt, check with the relevant office.
4. Pay the Modelo 790-012 fee – the exact amount varies depending on your residence permit; please confirm the current figure with the authority at your appointment or in advance.
5. Biometric passport photograph (current biometric passport photos) must be brought along.
6. Passport (original plus copy) and proof of your existing residence permit must be presented.
7. Collect your new TIE or have it sent to you by post – depending on the arrangement made with the authority.

Please note: The TIE must be applied for within one month of receiving a residence permit. This deadline does not apply to a duplicate, but you should not wait too long – missing identity documents can cause problems at police checks or when dealing with banks.

Special case: EU citizens and the green certificate

As an EU citizen in Mallorca, you do not hold a TIE but rather the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión – commonly referred to as the "green certificate". This document does not include a photograph, but it is the official proof of residencia.

If the green certificate is lost, you can apply for a new one at the Oficina de Extranjería or the Servicio de Extranjería of the Policía Nacional. The number (NIE) remains the same. A Cita Previa is also required here.

You can find out more about the entire residencia process for EU citizens in the guide on Residencia in Spain.

Exactly where in Palma – addresses and contacts

You can book appointments via the ICP+ portal at: icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es

Cost overview

Note: Fees are based on the values referenced in the research (as of 2026). Minor adjustments due to fee regulations are possible – please check the current amount on the Policía Nacional website before printing and paying the Modelo 790-012.

Most common mistakes when applying for a duplicate

Anyone who has made a wasted trip to the Comisaría knows how frustrating it is. These are the most frequent mistakes:

1. Wrong form: EX-15 applies to NIE duplicates, whereas different forms apply to the TIE (EX-17 or EX-23). Mixing the two up is a classic mistake.
2. Modelo 790-012 forgotten or filled in incorrectly: Without the paid receipt, nothing will happen. The amount must correspond to the service requested – code 012 for NIE fees is not the same as for TIE fees.
3. Appointment booked under the wrong category: The Cita Previa system has different appointment categories. Anyone who books under "DNI/Pasaporte" instead of "Extranjería" will get nowhere.
4. Only copies brought along: Original documents are almost always required. Don't forget your original passport.
5. No supporting reason provided: For the NIE duplicate, proof of the original reason for the application is frequently required – such as an old contract, a tax certificate, or a deed of purchase.
6. Waited too long after a theft: If your TIE has been stolen, the denuncia should be filed as quickly as possible to prevent misuse.
7. Attempted digital official procedures without Cl@ve: Some online routes (e.g. Modelo 030 online) require a Certificado Digital or Cl@ve PIN.

When a Gestoría can help

Anyone living on Mallorca who deals with authorities on a regular basis will know the principle: an experienced Gestoría in Spain takes care of all the paperwork – from filling in the forms and paying the fees to booking the appointment. Particularly with the TIE, where several forms and different fee rates come into play, it is often well worth it for the time saved alone, not to mention the frustration of a wasted appointment.

A Gestoría can also be a sensible option if you wish to make other changes at the same time – such as updating your address in the Empadronamiento, updating your details with the tax office, or renewing a residence permit.

What comes next?

Once you have your new NIE certificate or TIE card in hand, it is worth notifying all the parties that have the document on record:

• Spanish Tax Authority (AEAT): Update your contact details via Modelo 030 or digitally using Cl@ve PIN.
• Your bank: Present the new document in person – especially if the TIE is your primary form of identification.
• Health insurance: With your health insurance in Spain, an updated copy of the document may need to be kept on file.
• Empadronamiento: The registration certificate (Empadronamiento) itself is not affected, as it is based on your address and name – however, if the municipality makes an active enquiry, having an up-to-date ID document is helpful.
• Notarial powers of attorney: If you hold a Poder Notarial, check whether the document number is recorded there and whether an update is required.

Checklist: applying for a NIE duplicate or TIE replacement

• Report the theft or loss at the nearest Comisariat (denuncia)
• Book a Cita Previa via icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es (category: Extranjería)
• Download and complete form EX-15 (NIE) or EX-17/EX-23 (TIE)
• Print Modelo 790-012, enter the correct fee and pay at a bank
• Have your passport ready (original + copy)
• Bring supporting documentation or your previous contract/tax assessment
• Current biometric passport photo (TIE only)
• Any documentation relating to your residence permit (TIE only)
• Once received: notify your bank, AEAT and insurance provider

Conclusion

Losing your NIE certificate or TIE card is inconvenient, but it is not the end of the world. The number itself — your actual key to the Spanish system — is permanent and can never be lost. What you need is a new paper document, and for that there are three clear routes available on Mallorca: the fastest via the Comisaría in Palma (typically 1–2 weeks, approx. 9,84 €), the consular route for anyone currently based in Germany (typically 4–8 weeks, approx. 6 €), and the practical shortcut via AEAT or Vida Laboral if you only need the number itself. Anyone unsure which route is right for their situation, or who would like to delegate the bureaucratic legwork, is in good hands with an experienced gestoría on Mallorca.

Official Sources

• Policía Nacional – Sede Electrónica (NIE application, Cita Previa, forms EX-15): sede.policia.gob.es
• ICP+ Portal (Cita Previa Extranjería): icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es
• AEAT – Agencia Tributaria (Modelo 030, NIE/NIF enquiry): agenciatributaria.es
• Seguridad Social – Informe de Vida Laboral: seg-social.es
• Ministerio del Interior – Forms EX-15, EX-17, EX-23, Modelo 790-012: extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es