Non-EU here: NIE or TIE, what sets them apart?
Think of the NIE as a reference and the TIE as the card that carries it, photo included. Living in Valencia on a visa or a permit, the TIE is what goes in your wallet.
Do I need a visa to move to Valencia?
To live here, yes: a digital nomad, non-lucrative, student, work or family visa, usually requested at the Spanish consulate before you travel. Short visits are a different matter.
When do I apply for the TIE?
Soon after you arrive. The time allowed is short, so book the fingerprint appointment in your first weeks in Valencia.
Where are TIE cards issued in Valencia?
At the Secretaría General of the Comisaría de Patraix, Calle Dels Gremis 6. Your appointment confirmation names the office.
Is the golden visa still available?
No. Spain ended it in 2025. For people who live from their own means, non-lucrative residence is the route to look at.
Does Brexit make me a non-EU applicant?
It does. British residents from before the end of the transition hold a TIE under the Withdrawal Agreement; newcomers follow non-EU routes.
Is it OK to leave Spain during my card renewal?
With an autorización de regreso, yes. It covers a trip abroad and back while your card has expired or is in renewal.
What about health cover?
Nearly every non-EU residence route asks for it, often as private insurance without co-payments. The consulate's list for your visa says exactly what it needs.
Who decides on residence authorisations in Valencia?
The government's immigration office, the Oficina de Extranjería, which has two buildings in the city. The police desks then take your fingerprints and issue the card.
Nothing matches that yet. Try another word, or ask us directly.
Ready when you are
A few lines about your plans are enough. We reply by email with the procedure that fits and what happens next, with no obligation.