El DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) is a personal identification document that is mandatory for all Spanish citizens over the age of 14, as well as for foreigners residing in Spain. Obtaining a DNI is a relatively simple process, although it may vary slightly depending on your particular situation.
If you have been notified that your application for nationality has been approved. Now, you must complete the process by taking the oath. After this, you can apply for your ID and passport.
In this post, we will explain in detail how to obtain a Spanish ID for foreigners, including everything you need to know to make the process simple.
What documentation is needed to apply for a DNI?
First of all, it is essential to prepare all the documentation required for the process. Here is the list:
- Birth certificate or Literal birth certificate issued by the Civil RegistryIt is necessary to specify that the certificate is issued to obtain the DNI.
- The certificate of registration issued no more than three months prior to the application for the DNI
- Colour photograph measuring 32 x 26 mm (passport type), with a white background. The photo cannot contain any clothing or objects that may make it difficult to identify you.
- In the case of being the first registration as a Spanish national citizen, the foreigner You must also provide your TIE (physical residence card) or European Union Registration Certificate in which your NIE appears.
How to apply for an ID card?
The first step to getting your DNI is to make sure you have all the necessary documentation, which has been specified in the previous section. After having everything ready, you must request an appointment at the National Police to submit the documentation and obtain your ID.
You can request an appointment through the National Police portal or by calling 060. You can choose any police station office to request the appointment, not necessarily the one closest to your home or registration. this link You can make an appointment at any police station office.
The process is very fast, and you will get your DNI on the same day of the appointment without having to come back later. However, after applying for it, you will still need to get your certificate of concordance and notify all institutions where you registered with your NIE that you will now use your new DNI as your identification method.
How long is the validity of the DNI?
After obtaining your DNI as a Spanish citizen, it is important that you are aware of the renewal deadlines, which are based on the expiration date that appears on the card itself. The duration or validity of the identity card depends on the age you were when you applied for it:
- Less than 2 years at that time, the validity is 2 years.
- Between 5 and 30 years, the validity is 5 years.
- More than 30 years, the validity is 10 years.
- If you were 70 years old or older, the identity document is permanent.
What is the current cost of a Spanish ID card?
Today, The cost to apply for and obtain a DNI in Spain is €12. Unlike other immigration procedures, it is not necessary to pay this fee in advance and bring the receipt to the appointment. On the contrary, you must pay cash the day of your appointment at the national police station.
However, it is also possible to make the payment online through the link available on the appointment request page. Once you have completed the request, you will see a link at the bottom of the page that says “use this link to make payment”. By clicking on it, you will be redirected to the online payment process.
Finally, you need to know that if you want to renew your ID, you must make a change of address and/or affiliation, You will not have to pay the €12 and the procedure will be free..
Some frequently asked questions
Can I travel abroad with my expired ID?
If your ID is expired, andIt's as if you didn't have a valid and up-to-date identification document.. Therefore, if you need to travel or stay in a hotel, It is essential that you have a valid ID, as transport companies and hotels are required to verify documentation to comply with established rules and regulations. If you present an expired ID, you may be refused access to transport or accommodation. Therefore, it is important that you renew your ID before it expires to avoid problems in situations of travel or hotel stays.
Is it possible to update the DNI without an appointment?
Previously, in justified cases of urgency, such as last-minute trips, bureaucratic procedures, scholarships or employment, you could go to a National Police DNI issuing office and the renewal would be carried out without an appointment at the end of the day.
However, this has now changed in most cases. Unless there are exceptions, Renewals of the National Identity Document are not permitted without the corresponding appointmentOnly a few police stations in Spain still allocate a limited number of shifts early in the morning, around 7:00 am, to cover these emergencies.
Can you vote with an expired ID card? And with a photocopy?
To vote you will need to bring the National Identity (DNI), passport or driver's license. It does not matter if these documents are expired, but they must be originals, photocopies are not valid.
