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Last Updated on 17/07/2023 by STEPHANE

Your ultimate guide to your Spanish NIE number

1. 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.

      Contents - Your ultimate guide to your Spanish NIE number hide

      1. What is the Spanish NIE?

      2. Why do I need the Spanish NIE number?

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

      4. How do I get my Spanish NIE number?

      4.1. At the Spanish consulate in your own country

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

      5. Who can get the NIE Spain number?

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

      7. How long is it valid?

      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:

      • Spanish consulates in the United Kingdom and here are the instructions written by the consulate to get the Spanish NIE in the United Kingdom
      • Spanish consulates in France and here are the instructions written by the consulate to get the Spanish NIE in France.
      • Spanish consulates in Belgium and here are the instructions written by the consulate to get the Spanish NIE in Belgium.
      • Spanish consulates in the United States and here are the instructions written by the consulate to get the Spanish NIE in the United States
      • Spanish consulates in Canada and here are the instructions written by the consulate to get the Spanish NIE in Canada.

       

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

      • Check the list of the Directorate General offices of the Police in Spain to get your NIE number
      • make sure you don’t need to register online before showing up, it’s the case in Barcelona for instance. Here is the link to book your meeting online (Spanish).

      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!

Further reading on the subject

1. 1. • the Spanish ministry on the NIE instructions foreigners will need to follow (in Spanish)
      • NIE information from the Police administration (in Spanish)

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FAQ on Spanish NIE number

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