NIE on a green sheet of paper. Is it possible to get a green card?

brendantcoffey Member

Member since 19 September 2023

brendantcoffeyMember19 September 2023 10:41:44

Hi all,

I came to Catalunya years ago and was given my NIE on a green sheet (A4) of paper. It's uncomfortable to take with me whenever I need to do administration. I've seen that nowadays they issue the NIE on a green card (credit card size). Does anyone know if it's possible to transfer the card and how to go about it?

Thanks for your help.

Brendan

gwynj Bulgaria Expert

Member since 30 June 2020

gwynjBulgaria Expert21 September 2023 13:13:08

2419

@brendantcoffey

I suspect that, confusingly, while your paper includes your NIE, the paper is actually NOT a NIE. :-) The green paper is probably an EU Citizen Registration Certificate (as you have an EU passport).

You're right, these days it seems that it's a smaller card-sized paper, rather than an A4 sheet. But I don't think it's worth registering again just to get a smaller version (but you probably could, if you wanted). :-)

This document (as a registration certificate) is quite important and it shows that you're a resident of Spain. So I would personally keep the original document safe at home. And just make a few copies that I can fold up and keep for bureaucrats to look at.

If it's many years ago (5 or more), then you should be able to get permanent residence, and you'll get a different document.