The Documento nacional de identidad (DNI) or carné de identidad is Spain national identity card. It is a laminated card or polycarbonate, which details the name and surnames of the holder, date of birth, address, parents, sex, residencial address, city and province of birth, and contains a photograph (size 32 by 26 mm, with plain white uniform background, taken from the front with the head completely uncovered and without dark glasses and any items which may prevent or hinder the identification of the person) and an identification number consisting of 8 digits plus a control letter. This number is also used for tax purposes, receiving the name of Número de identificación fiscal (NIF).
The DNI is enough to visit and register as a resident in the member countries of the European Union. It can also be used to travel to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland (signatories of Schengen) and to other European countries such as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino.
The ID card is issued at offices of the National Police. In order to apply for a DNI, it is necessary to have Spanish nationality. Foreigners legally resident in Spain or who intend to purchase property are issued with a Número de identificación de extranjero (NIE) or Foreign Identification Number.
Since 2007, all new DNI issued or renewed are biometric cards.