How Can A Foreigner Get A DNI Number In Spain?
Expat Tips
Published: 10 August 2023 11:06 CET
Updated: 21 April 2025 22:50 CET
How To Apply For Your Spanish DNI After Obtaining Citizenship (2025)
Once you've received Spanish citizenship in 2025—whether by residence, descent, or marriage—you’ll still need to take one final step to complete your legal identity in Spain: obtaining your DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) and Spanish passport. These documents confirm your new nationality and replace your previous foreign identification, officially transitioning you from your former NIE to your new Spanish identity number.
This guide explains exactly how to get your Spanish DNI, what documents are required, how to schedule your appointment, what it costs, and how to handle the transition from your old NIE to your new identity record as a Spanish national.
Step 1: Gather the Required Documents
Documents you must bring
Before booking your appointment, make sure you have the following documents:
- A recent empadronamiento certificate (within 3 months)
- Birth certificate issued by the Civil Registry (stating “for DNI purposes” and issued within 6 months)
- One passport-size photo (32x26 mm, white background)
- Your previous TIE card or EU Certificate of Registration with NIE
For the official document checklist, visit the official DNI document requirements page.
Extra notes for 2025
In 2025, the Civil Registry is applying stricter rules regarding birth certificates issued “for DNI purposes,” so ensure yours is recent and contains the correct annotation. Photo size and background requirements are also being enforced more tightly than in previous years.
Step 2: Book Your Appointment
How to use the DNI appointment portal
To get your DNI, schedule an appointment online via the DNI appointment portal or by calling 060. You can select any police station with available appointments—it doesn’t have to match your empadronamiento address.
Once on the website, click "Cita Previa" and follow the instructions. A full list of police stations offering DNI services is available here.
Appointments in major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona can fill up quickly, so booking early is recommended.
Step 3: Attend Your Appointment
What happens during the appointment
Bring your documents and payment. In most locations, your DNI is issued immediately after processing—there’s no waiting period. If you’ve also applied for a passport, it may be collected later or sent to your home. The issuing officer will also record your fingerprints and enter your new Spanish identity details into the national register.
Step 4: Get a Certificate of Concordance
Why the Concordance Certificate matters
Once you have your DNI, you’ll need to obtain a Certificado de Concordancia (Certificate of Concordance) to prove continuity between your old NIE identity and your new DNI. This is essential for updating records with banks, insurance companies, utilities, and public institutions, particularly because many Spanish institutions request this certificate before updating their systems.
It confirms that despite the change in document and ID number, you are the same person who previously held a foreign residency record. You can request it at your nearest police station.
DNI for Spanish Citizens Living Abroad
If you are living outside Spain, you can request your DNI through a Spanish consulate. Once back in Spain, it’s important to renew your DNI and update your empadronamiento as soon as possible, ensuring your local records match your new nationality status.
Cost of the DNI in 2025
When is the DNI free?
The standard fee to obtain your DNI in 2025 is €12. Payment can be made on the day at the police station (cash or card), or in advance online via the appointment system.
The DNI is issued for free when:
- Your address changes
- Your personal data changes
- The renewal is linked to a large family (categoría especial)
Validity of the DNI
- 2 years: Children under age 5
- 5 years: Ages 5 to 30
- 10 years: Ages 30 to 70
- Permanent: Age 70+
For full info and updates, visit the official DNI website.
Useful Internal Links
Conclusion
Getting your Spanish DNI is the final, essential step in officially becoming a Spanish citizen. With the right documents and an appointment, the process is efficient and straightforward. Once your DNI is issued, don’t forget to follow up with your Certificate of Concordance and update your details with banks, Seguridad Social, the tax office, and healthcare services to ensure all your records remain synchronised under your new legal identity.
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