Reading time 5 minutes. Use our table of content for a quick read.
Last Updated on 24/06/2025 by STEPHANE

How to Get a NIE in Spain 2025, Your Complete Spanish NIE Guide

1. 1. What is a NIE number in Spain?

      NIE is the abbreviation for “Número de Identificación de Extranjero“ – a tax identification number for foreigners in Spain. If you’re wondering how to get a NIE in Spain, this complete guide covers the Spanish NIE application process, required documents, costs, and processing times for property buyers and residents. 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 - How to Get a NIE in Spain 2025 | Complete Spanish NIE Guide hide

      1. What is the NIE number used for in Spain?

      2. What documents do I need for a Spanish NIE application as a European citizen?

      2.1. At the Spanish consulate in your own country

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

      3. Who can apply for a Spanish NIE number?

      4. How long does getting an NIE in Spain take?

      5. Do NIE numbers in Spain expire?

      5.1. Seeking a high-quality new build property? Check our listings from reliable developers.

      Check our one-minute videos on that:

      And here is our first YouTube video on duplicate content. You can watch both, but the content is the same.

       

   2. What is the NIE number used for in Spain?

      The Spanish NIE number is essential for all legal and financial activities in Spain. You need your NIE Spain number to:

      • Open a bank account in Spain
      • Buy a property or insure it
      • Get a Spanish 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 in Spain

       

   3. What documents do I need for a Spanish NIE application as a European citizen?

      To apply for NIE Spain, follow these steps for the Spanish NIE application process:

      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 document provides payment instructions for obtaining 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 making an appointment, or to the General Police Office in Spain. Read further: “How to get a NIE in Spain?”

      Step 8: For non-European citizens, proof of legal entry into Spain, such as a landing ticket.

       

   4. How to get a NIE in Spain?

      There are two easy ways to get your Spanish NIE number: either in your home country at the Spanish consulate or embassy, or in Spain. You can complete the NIE registration process in Spain yourself if you have the time, or you can have it done by a third party if you are busy or in a hurry.

      At the Spanish consulate in your own country

      We have listed the most frequently requested Spanish embassies and consulates below. If you don’t see your country, please visit the leading site to find any Spanish embassy or consulate worldwide.

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

      • 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 provide the following instructions for obtaining a Spanish NIE in France, as written by the consulate.
      • Spanish consulates in Belgium, and here are the instructions provided by the consulate for obtaining a 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 provide the following instructions for obtaining a Spanish NIE in Canada, as written by the consulate.

       

      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 apply for NIE Spain:

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

      Foreign nationals who are related to Spain due to their economic, professional, or social interests may apply personally for the Spanish NIE number 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 apply for a Spanish NIE number?

      1. Yourself
      2. A duly mandated representative

       

   6. How long does getting an NIE in Spain take?

      Getting an NIE in Spain takes between one hour and up to 2 months, depending on the way you do it and the location. Spanish consulates abroad typically process NIE applications in 1-2 weeks, while Spanish immigration offices may take 2-6 weeks. So plan accordingly for your Spanish NIE application!

       

   7. Do NIE numbers in Spain expire?

      No, NIE numbers Spain never expire. More than five years ago, the NIE was valid for only a few years but now, your Spanish NIE number remains valid forever. So, once you complete the NIE registration Spain process, 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 Spanish NIE number 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)

Seeking a high-quality new build property? Check our listings from reliable developers.

Discover the best new build projects in Spain available right now

If you want to invest in the Spanish real estate market, 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, take a look at our helpful article: The most popular Spanish regions for foreign property: British, French, German, and more.

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!