The Green NIE: EU Registration Certificate (EX-18) Explained
- The “green NIE” is the EU registration certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión).
- For EU/EEA/Swiss citizens staying more than 3 months.
- Applied for with form EX-18; issued on green paper.
- It contains your NIE and proves you are registered as an EU resident.
The green NIE is the document EU citizens receive when they register as residents in Spain. It is not a different number — it is a green certificate that includes your NIE and confirms your EU residence registration. See the full set in our Spanish IDs comparison.
Who needs it
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals planning to stay more than three months must register and receive this certificate. Non-EU nationals do not get this — they receive a TIE card instead (see is the NIE a card? NIE vs TIE).
What it contains
- Green paper document (not a plastic card).
- Your name, NIE, address, nationality and date of registration.
Green NIE vs white NIE
- Green = EU citizen, resident (registered > 3 months), form EX-18.
- White = non-resident NIE certificate — see the white NIE.
Both contain the same kind of NIE number; the colour reflects your status, not a different number.
Frequently asked questions
Is the green NIE a residence permit?
What form is the green certificate?
Do non-EU citizens get a green NIE?
Related
Sources
- Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores — NIE: exteriores.gob.es
- Dirección General de la Policía: sede.policia.gob.es
e-residency is operated by Happy Residence S.L. (Málaga, License 62802L). We are a private firm and not a public administration; we do not issue official documents. Accurate as of 2026.