what is dni in spain

The DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) is a national identity document that is compulsory for all citizens of Spain aged fourteen and above). It has a personal, unique, and exclusive identification number or número de DNI, which is made up of eight digits plus a control letter, that is assigned to the holder the first time he/she obtains the document and that keeps throughout his/her life as a general identifier). The DNI is a two-sided document, 86 by 54 millimetres (the size of a credit card) . The DNI must be renewed every five years until the holders thirtieth birthday. To get a DNI, it is necessary to have Spanish citizenship). Foreign residents in Spain can get a card similar to the DNI but in blue, called the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) ). This card is the document that proves that the foreigner is legally in Spain and shows that the cardholder has been granted permission to stay in Spain for more than six months). The cost to apply for and obtain the DNI in Spain is currently 12€, and it must be paid in cash on the day of the appointment at the national police station.