Spanish NIE Number Guide

• What is a Spanish NIE number?

• Why do you need it?

• Requirements for obtaining NIE

• Applying in person in Spain

• Applying in person through Spanish consulate abroad

• Third-party authorization

• How to get a Spanish NIE number in the UK?

• Processing times

• How long is a Spanish NIE number valid?

• Conclusion and frequently asked questions

1. What is a Spanish NIE number?

The Foreigner’s Tax Identification Number (NIE) — Número de identidad de extranjero — is used for official procedures: obtaining permits, processing financial documentation, payroll processing, getting driver’s licenses, mortgages, registering in the social security system (health insurance, unemployment benefits, subsidies, pensions). It serves as an identifier for operations requiring verification of foreign citizens.

Format: begins with a letter, then seven digits, ends with a letter (example: A–3213213–B). The number is personal, non-transferable, and has no expiration date.

Legal basis: regulated by Article 58 of Spain’s Foreign Citizens Law. All foreigners conducting financial activities in Spain — regardless of residency status — must obtain an NIE. The nature of NIE is connected to legal residence; illegal residents cannot request it.

According to Organic Law 4/2000 “On the rights and freedoms of foreign citizens in Spain and their social integration,” foreign citizens who have residence documents in Spain, persons involved in administrative matters, as well as persons whose professional, financial or social interests are connected to Spain, must request their identification serial number.

2. Why do you need it?

NIE is mandatory for all operations:

• Opening bank accounts in Spanish banks
• Registering a company in Spain
• Purchasing real estate or vehicles
• Preparing tax declarations
• Submitting official applications to Spanish government institutions

3. Requirements for obtaining NIE

Applications can be submitted through honorary consulates or embassies in your country of residence. In some cases, justification for the request is required.

Most commonly, foreigners obtain NIE by executing a notarial act of intention to purchase real estate in Spain. Such intention does not oblige actual purchase. Another common reason is establishing a company in Spain.

Important: opening bank accounts or purchasing vehicles requires NIE, however they are NOT accepted by immigration authorities as sufficient grounds for issuing the number.

All foreign documents must be legalized by the Spanish consular office having jurisdiction in the country of origin of the documents.

Cost: citizens of non-EU countries receive a receipt at the appointment, which can be paid at any Spanish bank. Fee: approximately 9 euros.

4. Applying in person in Spain

The application is submitted at the police station in the province of your residence. After submission, you must pay approximately 10 euros at the nearest bank.

Documents for non-EU residents:

1. Schedule an appointment at the local police station (https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/) and print the application
2. Two copies of the completed application form (EX-15)
3. Passport with photocopies of all pages or travel document / registration card
4. Proof of entry into Spain — declaración de entrada (entry declaration), if arrival is from countries without border control (no stamp in passport). Must be obtained at a police station or foreigners’ office within a maximum of 72 hours after entry
5. Professional, economic or social documentation justifying the NIE request (typically notarial acts of intention to complete a transaction, such as “real estate purchase or vehicle purchase/rental”). All documentation requires translation to Spanish with originals. Currently this requirement varies by region; most regions do not require it.

Documents for EU residents:

1. Schedule an appointment at the local police station and print the application
2. Two copies of the completed application form (EX-15)
3. Passport with photocopies of data pages or travel document / registration card / identity document
4. Documentation justifying the NIE request (similar to previous point; varies by region, currently not required in most regions)

EU citizens have the right to free entry and residence in Spanish territory. Those planning to stay longer than 3 months must obtain a certificate with an NIE number. The application must be submitted before the expiration of 3 months of stay in Spain. The certificate is issued immediately after submitting the application.

5. Applying in person through Spanish consulate abroad

Required documents:

1. Passport with photocopies of all pages
2. Two copies of the application form (EX-15) — completed but NOT signed (signature is made in the presence of consular staff). The consulate does not provide forms; prepare them in advance.

Documents are submitted in person to the Spanish consulate. The consulate does not assign NIE but forwards documents to Spain. After approximately one week, NIE arrives by email in PDF format. To send to a Spanish address, indicate this in the application form and attach a return envelope.

After submission, a special receipt (resguardo) is issued with notification of receipt timing by email. Processing takes from several days to several weeks depending on workload.

Any person can collect the NIE — personal presence of the applicant is not required. The receipt must be presented.

6. Third-party authorization

The Spanish government allows foreigners to request NIE through a legal representative in Spain. For this, you need to contact a Spanish Gestor, execute a power of attorney (“Poder”), provide a notarized copy of your passport. Notarization is possible in Spain or abroad (when notarized abroad, the document requires apostille). Specialists recommend notarization by a Spanish notary to guarantee acceptance by immigration services.

Provide your representative with your passport or notarized copy.

7. How to get a Spanish NIE number in the UK?

Applications are submitted to Spanish diplomatic missions or consular offices in your place of residence. Consulates in the UK: London and Edinburgh. Fee: £8.60.

Required documents:

• Passport with photocopy of data pages
• Two copies of printed application form (EX-15) — completed but NOT signed
• Printed payment form
• For non-EU residents with UK residence permit: residence permit with copy + confirmation of reason why NIE is needed (preliminary real estate contract, etc.)

Processing time: approximately 1 month.

8. Processing times

According to Spanish legislation, document review cannot exceed 5 days from receipt. When submitting directly to immigration office: results within 5 days. In practice, the timeframe often extends to 10 days (example: Barcelona). Submission through consulate may also exceed 5 days.

9. How long is a Spanish NIE number valid?

NIE certificate validity: 90 days. However, the NIE number itself is assigned for life. For subsequent renewals or residency applications, you receive the same number.

Certificate renewal after 90 days requires re-confirmation of the original circumstance. In some regions, renewal is only possible in exceptional cases.

10. Conclusion and frequently asked questions

How to renew NIE?

Commission agencies are usually covered by sellers or developers and amount to 5-10% of the property value. In some regions (Valencia, Malaga) the buyer pays 3% on the secondary market. Check with your agency.

Documents are submitted without appointment; processing time — 5-10 days.

What to do if I lost my NIE?

Follow the original procedure. Provide the same data as in the first application for verification.

Do I need to carry my NIE with me?

It’s recommended to have your passport and NIE with you. Police may request them during checks. For filling out forms, it’s sufficient to indicate the number. For mortgage registration and processing important documents, the original paper document is required.

Other useful information

1. Previously, documents confirming the reason for obtaining NIE were required; currently most regions do not have this requirement.
2. There is no special NIE for children; the number is only required for those who pay taxes in Spain.
3. After submitting documents, waiting may take up to one week. Appointment waiting time can reach two months. Schedule here: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/ (select Asignación de NIE)