Spanish NIE, TIE, Health Insurance and Getting your Medical Prescriptions in Spain - for EU and Non-EU citizens citizens
The NIE vs the tie
When speaking about foreigners in Spain, you will have heard people mentioning the TIE and the NIE. Usually, these two acronyms are used randomly and it is very important to differentiate between the two concepts:
- It is automatically assigned to foreigners who start a procedure to obtain any permission to stay in Spain (in the case of Schengen visas, these do not generate a NIE).
- It can be obtained by those who, because of their economic, professional, or social interests, have a relationship with Spain.
- It can be obtained by those who, because of their economic, professional, or social interests, have a relationship with Spain.
- It is assigned to the foreigners when an administrative file of exit or expulsion is initiated.
For example those who want to set up a company in Spain, buy a property, liquidate an inheritance or sign a contract for the provision of services but do not wish to reside here can apply for a NIE, which is known as a non-resident NIE.
The basic requirement for applying for a non-resident NIE is not to be in Spain in an irregular situation. In fact, it is not even necessary to be in Spanish territory, it can be requested from abroad. You must also indicate the reason why you are applying for the NIE. If you have a non-resident NIE and you apply for a certain residence permit (either under the General or EU Regime), you are not assigned another number, but continue with the same number. Visit Lexidy Law Boutique's website to learn more about Nie and the whole process of Spanish immigration in detail. Lexidy offers more than 40 services in Immigration department. They will be happy to assist you.
b) The TIE is the so-called Foreigner identity card. Once you have successfully applied for a residence permit for Spain the police issue the TIE, the physical card you hold as proof of your legal status. Therefore, the TIE is a plastic card, a physical document that contains our identification data, the photo, the NIE number and the type of authorisation for your stay or residence in Spain. Thus, not everyone with a NIE necessarily has a TIE, but everyone with a TIE (which is the "Foreigner's Identity Card") will always have a NIE. EU citizens who stay in Spain for more than three months have to obtain their EU Registry Certificate. This is not a TIE in this sense, since it is only a green paper card with their NIE and information.
To sum up, the main differences between NIE and TIE are as follows:
- The NIE is only the identification number a foreigner uses in Spain. It is granted automatically when a procedure is initiated, or the Administration is contacted. The TIE is a physical document that must be applied for and obtained in case a residence permit for Spain has been granted.
- The Foreigners Identity Card can be withdrawn, but the NIE cannot. For example, if you commit a crime and lose your residence permit, you cannot legally reside in Spain, but your NIE is not lost.
- The NIE does not prove that you are legally residing in Spain, the TIE does.
- The NIE is unique and forever, it does not expire while the TIE does, it must be renewed according to the requirements of the respective residence permit.
Health insurance in Spain
Health Insurance in Spain One of the requirements to be able to reside in Spain is to prove that you will be covered by health insurance. In case you are working in Spain and registered with the Spanish Social Security, you will generally pay income tax and social security that goes towards providing you with free state health care. The spouse and any children of workers are also entitled to state healthcare, as long as they also reside in Spain. If you are not working in Spain, you can always underwrite private health insurance. In this case, the insurance policy has to cover Schengen countries and it has to be operated by an insurance agency authorised to operate in Spain.
The immigration offices in Spain state that specific details of the health insurance needed would be: A health insurance policy that accredits covering assistance for prevention in diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation realised by medical centres (general ambulatory medicine 100%, treatments 100%, hospitalisation 100%) without limits or co-payments, equivalent to the Spanish Social Security System.
The insurance has to cover the period of the foreigner’s residence in Spain and be automatically renewed. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who have reached retirement age in their home country are entitled to free healthcare in Spain.
In order to qualify they must obtain an S1 form from their country of residence. EU, EEA and Swiss residents staying in Spain on a temporary basis can use their European Health Insurance Card, (EHIC) which entitles them to receive medical treatment at the same cost as a Spanish national.
Non-EU nationals: non-EU/EEA nationals may have to provide proof of private health insurance before getting a Spanish visa. Some non-EU nations, however, have an agreement in place with Spain. It’s important to know what you’re entitled to, so check with the consulate or embassy in your home country before arrival. EU nationals studying in Spain will be covered by their EHIC throughout their period of study.
Non-EU students, however, might need a private health insurance plan prior to arrival. Your university can provide more detail.
Getting your medical prescriptions in Spain
The agreement of Cross-border prescription protects any citizen of an EU country to buy essential medical products while traveling to another state. It is possible by having a pre-existent prescription from your home country and requesting the same medicine in a place of destination.
EHIC: The European Health Insurance Card
EHIC provides necessary state-provided healthcare to EU citizens within the European Union, including Spain. Another benefit of having a card is the possibility to have a reduced cost on prescribed products. Worth to know that pharmacies in Spain are legitimate for not being able to provide you with exact medicine as appointed. Beforehand, ensure your doctor uses common names or explicit details, therefore, pharmacists will be able to deliver analogue products. Besides, the law of cross-border prescription has jurisdiction over all EU zones except Switzerland.
A traditional form of prescription inside the European Union:
- Patient details: name, surname, and date of birth
- Date of issue of the prescription
- Details of the prescribing doctor: surname and first name, professional qualification, direct contact details, work address (including the country), and signature.
- Details of the prescribed product: its common name (rather than the brand name, which may be different in another country), format (tablet, solution, etc), quantity, strength, and dosage.
Note: In Spain, any prescription has 10 calendar days from the prescription date or from the date scheduled to dispense by the pharmacy. If the given prescription has all the required information and available to purchase, pharmacies in Spain are obliged to dispense your prescription regarding the law. If you don't have a prescription or the pharmacy is not able to provide it, contact the state medical entity or your insurance company.
For Non-EU citizens, the most suitable decision will be to contact private medical entities in the place of destination to receive precise treatment. Commonly, the emergency in Spain is free of charges, though, medical conditions that do not require immediate treatment might cost money for Non-holders of EHCI or citizens outside of the EU.
The information on this page was written by Immigration Experts Laura Fusté, Head of Immigration Department & Mónica Isern López, Immigration lawyer at Lexidy Law Boutique. Visit their website to learn more if you need advice or assistance regarding immigration to Spain.