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Your Ultimate 2023 Guide to Obtaining a Spanish NIE Number – NIE Spain

19 Jun
2023
Your Spanish NIE Number
5/5 - (8 votes)
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Your ultimate guide to your Spanish NIE number

 

    1. What is the Spanish NIE?

      NIE is the abbreviation for Número de Identificación de Extranjero, it is a tax ID for foreigners in Spain. You shouldn’t compare it to the Spanish Golden Visa as the Golden Visa allows foreigners to get a residency if they invest in Spain.

      Check our one-minute videos on that:

      And here is our first Youtube video we did on the same content, you can watch both but the content is the same.

       

    2. Why do I need the Spanish NIE number?

      • Open a bank account
      • Buy a property or insure it
      • Get a mortgage
      • Sign an internet or a phone contract
      • Open a utility contract
      • Buy a car or get a driving license
      • Sign a work contract and get Social security
      • Setup a company
      • … and pay taxes

       

    3. What do I need to get my Spanish NIE number as a European citizen?

      Step 1: Fill in THREE forms in BLOCK CAPITALS “EX – 15 Solicitud de Numero de Identidad de Extranjero NIE y Cert, per person requiring the NIE. You have to fill it in this Spanish version! But here is a very useful Version where you will find everything translated into English with precise instructions.

      Step 2: Fill in ONE Form 790 in BLOCK CAPITALS, here is the electronic version, and here is the Pdf version of the form 790 pre-filled, per person requiring the NIE. This is the document regarding payment instructions to get the NIE.

      Step 3: Make a copy of all the pages of your Passport

      Step 4: Two recent Passport pictures

      Step 5: Document proving why you need a Spanish NIE number, which differs depending on your intentions. In most cases it is one of those:

      -going to buy a property in Spain

      -job contract from the Spanish company

      -self-employed: a company ownership certificate

      -students: an acceptance letter from the school

      Step 6: Your future address in Spain and proof of health insurance if you are going to live in Spain

      Step 7: NIE application fee, less than 15€ (you could need to pay it to the nearest bank in cash)

      All those documents must be brought to the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate after taking an appointment or the General police office in Spain, read further “How do I get my Spanish NIE number?”

      Step 8: For a non-European citizen, proof of legal entry into Spain, like a landing ticket.

       

    4. How do I get my Spanish NIE number?

      There are two easy ways to get your Spanish NIE: either in your home country at the Spanish consulate or embassy, or in Spain. You can get it and do all the steps alone if you are not in a hurry or you can get it done by a third party if you are busy or in a hurry.

      At the Spanish consulate in your own country

      We found the most demanded Spanish embassies and consulates here below but if you don’t find your country, here is the main site to find any Spanish embassy or consulate in the world.

      Here are the addresses of some Spanish consulates and their Instructions for the NIE:

       

      In Spain, at the Directorate-General offices of the Police,

      There are some conditions to get it:

      the foreigner’s identity number, NIE, must be granted by the Directorate General of the Police if those foreigners are not in Spain in an irregular situation.

      Foreign nationals who are related to Spain due to their economic, professional, or social interests may apply personally for the NIE from the Directorate General of the Police, either directly or through the Foreign Nationals’ Offices or Police Stations. In the event that the foreigner is not in Spanish territory at the time of the application, he/she will request the assignment of the NIE from the General Police Headquarters for Foreign Nationals and Borders, through the Spanish Consular Offices abroad. More on that in Spanish on the website of the Spanish police.

       

    5. Who can get the NIE Spain number?

      1. Yourself
      2. A duly mandated representative

       

    6. How long does it take to get my Spanish NIE number?

      Between one hour to up to 2 months depending on the way you do it. So plan accordingly!

       

    7. How long is it valid?

      More than five years ago, the NIE was valid for only a few years but now, your NIE number remains valid forever. So, once you did the work, you can buy a property (if this was the reason why you needed one), even if it is in 5 years.

      Take our advice: get your NIE right away!

Download and print our infographics!

 

Infographic All your questions on the Spanish NIE answered - NIE Spain number

NIE Spain number, everything you need to know

 

 

Further reading on the subject

 

 

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2 beds 1 bath 61.3 m²
2 beds 2 baths 61.3 m²
3 beds 3 baths 191 m²
3 beds 2 baths 109 m²
2 beds 2 baths 97 m²
3 beds 2 baths 114 m²
3 beds 2 baths 106 m²
2 beds 2 baths 83 m²
3 beds 2 baths 103 m²
2 beds 2 baths 90 m²
2 beds 2 baths 83 m²
3 beds 2 baths 98 m²
2 beds 2 baths 90 m²
2 beds 2 baths 81.7 m²
3 beds 2 baths 101.9 m²
3 beds 2 baths 119.8 m²
3 beds 2 baths 129.2 m²
3 beds 2 baths 106.9 m²
2 beds 2 baths 88.9 m²
3 beds 2 baths 106.9 m²
3 beds 3 baths 177 m²
3 beds 2 baths 84 m²
2 beds 2 baths 72 m²
2 beds 2 baths 73 m²
3 beds 2 baths 85 m²
2 beds 2 baths 71 m²
2 beds 2 baths 80 m²
3 beds 2 baths 88 m²
3 beds 3 baths 162 m²
3 beds 2 baths 220 m²
3 beds 2 baths 100 m²
2 beds 2 baths 76 m²
3 beds 2 baths 97 m²
2 beds 2 baths 81 m²
3 beds 2 baths 123 m²
2 beds 2 baths 154 m²
3 beds 2 baths 116 m²
3 beds 2 baths 149 m²
3 beds 2 baths 133 m²
2 beds 2 baths 87 m²

 

If you want to invest in the Spanish real estate market in Spain, don’t hesitate to read our special report with the 10+ reasons why you should have a look at the Spanish property market.

If you are about to buy in Spain, have a keep look at our useful article: The most loved Spanish regions for foreigners’ properties: British, French, German,…

 

FAQ on Spanish NIE number

How do I get an NIE number in Spain?

To get a NIE, it's easy, fill the forms and get a meeting at your Spanish consulate. If you are not available, someone else can go do it for you. Read our step by step guide for more.

How long does a Spanish NIE number last?

NIE numbers are valid forever. So, don't wait, ask it now as it could take between 1 and 2 months.

How much is an NIE number in Spain?

The actual cost is less than 15€. Pay attention, you need to pay this in Cash at some consulates.

What documents do I need for NIE in Spain?

We have listed all the documents you need in our article: you need to fill 2 forms (the first one 3 times), you need a copy of your passport, two recent pictures, and a document proving why you need it,... Check our full list on our site

 

Looking for a property lawyer in Spain? Follow the link and get one of our local lawyers.

Looking for another real estate expert in Spain: Mortgage, Insurance, Survey of property, Property hunting, …? Ask us directly one of our 100+ local partners!

 

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