Glossary
Immigration terms, explained without the jargon
Before diving into any procedure, it helps to understand the vocabulary. Here are the words that come up most often, explained in one sentence.
Common vocabulary confusions
The mix-ups we hear most
What's the difference between the NIE and the TIE?
The NIE is just an identification number; the TIE is the physical card that also proves your residency authorization. Having an NIE doesn't mean you're authorized to live in Spain.
What's the difference between temporary and long-term residency?
Temporary residency has limited validity and needs renewing; long-term residency is indefinite and, for residency and work purposes, equivalent to that of a Spanish citizen.
Does administrative silence always work in my favour?
No. It depends on the procedure: for some immigration procedures, silence counts as a denial, not an approval. It's worth checking case by case.
Do I need an apostille for every foreign document?
Only for public documents from countries that have signed the Hague Convention. If the country of origin hasn't signed it, the document needs consular legalisation instead.
A to Z
Terms you'll come across
- NIE (Foreigner Identification Number)
- A personal, non-transferable number that identifies any foreigner in Spain for administrative, tax and financial purposes. It's required for almost any procedure: opening a bank account, signing an employment contract, or buying a home.
- TIE (Foreigner Identity Card)
- The physical document that proves your residency (or residency-and-work) authorization in Spain. It includes your NIE, your photograph, and how long your authorization is valid for.
- Empadronamiento (municipal registration)
- Registration with the local council where you live. It's the document that proves how long you've lived continuously in Spain — key for arraigo.
- Arraigo (residency through ties)
- A route to regularize your status for foreigners who have lived in Spain for a set period without a residency authorization. There are several types: social, employment-linked, family, and training-based.
- IPREM (Public Multiple-Effect Income Indicator)
- The official indicator used to calculate the minimum income required for procedures such as family reunification. It's updated every year.
- IMV (Minimum Vital Income)
- A state benefit for people and families in economically vulnerable situations. It can lower the income level required for some immigration procedures.
- Temporary residency authorization
- A permit that allows you to live in Spain for a set period (usually 1 to 5 years), renewable if you continue to meet the requirements.
- Long-term residency authorization
- An indefinite permit to live and work in Spain under the same conditions as a Spanish citizen, after a minimum period of continuous legal residence.
- Family reunification
- The procedure through which a legal resident in Spain can request that certain family members (spouse, children, and in some cases parents) come to live with them.
- Visa
- A prior authorization requested at the Spanish consulate in your home country before travelling to Spain, required for certain procedures (for example, family reunification or the digital nomad visa).
- Cita previa (appointment booking)
- The mandatory system for visiting most immigration offices and police stations: without a booked appointment, you won't be seen in person.
- Expediente (case file)
- The set of documents and administrative actions linked to your procedure, identified by a unique reference number.
- Resolución (ruling)
- The administration's final decision on your application: it can be favourable (granted), unfavourable (denied), or filed without action.
- Administrative silence
- When the administration doesn't resolve your application within the legal deadline. Depending on the procedure, silence can count as approval or as denial.
- Recurso de reposición (reconsideration appeal)
- An administrative appeal filed with the same body that issued the ruling, asking it to review its own decision before going to court.
- Recurso contencioso-administrativo (judicial review appeal)
- An appeal filed with the courts when you disagree with an administrative ruling (or its silence) and no administrative appeal is left available.
- Hague Apostille
- An official stamp certifying that a public document is authentic so it's valid in another country that has signed the Hague Convention, without needing further legalisation.
- Degree recognition (homologación)
- The procedure for an academic qualification obtained in another country to be officially valid in Spain.
- Shortage occupation list
- A quarterly list published by SEPE (the Spanish employment service) of occupations for which there aren't enough candidates in Spain, which makes it easier to hire foreign workers for those roles.
- Criminal record certificate
- A document from your country of origin (and any country you've lived in) proving you have no criminal record, required for several immigration procedures.
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