Replacing a lost or stolen NIE or TIE

Overview

Losing your TIE card is inconvenient but straightforward to fix — your NIE number itself is unaffected, since it's permanently on record regardless of what happens to any physical document showing it.

Requirements

• If your TIE was stolen (rather than simply lost), file a police report first — you'll be asked for it during replacement
• You'll need to know or be able to recover your NIE number to request a replacement card

Step-by-step process

• If stolen, report it to the police (denuncia) and keep a copy of the report
• If you no longer know your NIE number, it can usually be recovered via your Oficina de Extranjería or, in some cases, the Tax Agency, since your NIE also appears on tax and other official records
• Book a cita previa for TIE replacement (duplicado) at your local Oficina de Extranjería or police station
• Pay the replacement fee (Modelo 790) and attend your appointment
• Collect your replacement card once ready

Required documents

• Police report, if the card was stolen
• Passport
• Paid Modelo 790 fee receipt for the duplicate card
• Any documents showing your NIE number, if you have them (helps speed up the process, though not always strictly required)

Common mistakes

• Assuming a lost card means a lost NIE number — the number itself is unaffected and permanently on record
• Not filing a police report for a stolen card, which some offices will ask for as part of the replacement process

Practical tips

• Keep a photo or scanned copy of your TIE (front and back) somewhere secure — it makes recovering your NIE number and requesting a replacement much faster
• If you also need your passport replaced at the same time, contact your embassy or consulate for that separately — it's an independent process from your TIE

How Tuchati can help

Tuchati can help you recover your NIE number if you've lost track of it, and guide you through booking the replacement appointment.