Can you get a NIE number without an appointment in Spain?
One of the biggest challenges when applying for a NIE number in Spain is getting an appointment. Many people spend hours trying to find an available slot, only to discover that everything is fully booked.
This raises an important question: can you get a NIE number without an appointment?
Do you need an appointment for a NIE number?
If you apply yourself, yes.
The standard process requires you to book an appointment at a police station, where you submit your documents. Without an appointment, you cannot complete the process on your own.
Why is it so hard to get an appointment?
Getting a NIE appointment in Spain is often much more difficult than people expect.
At first glance, the process seems simple. You go online, select your city, choose a time slot, and confirm your appointment. However, in reality, the system works very differently.
In most regions, the number of available appointments is extremely limited, while demand is high. This is especially the case in cities such as Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona, where thousands of people are trying to secure an appointment at the same time.
As a result, many applicants experience:
- Fully booked schedules weeks in advance
- Limited daily availability
- Appointments that disappear within minutes
- The need to check the system multiple times a day
For many people, this becomes the biggest obstacle in the entire NIE process. Not because the procedure itself is complex, but because getting access to it is difficult.
Can you get a NIE number without an appointment?
This is one of the most common questions, especially for people who are unable to find an available time slot.
The short answer is: yes, but not by skipping the process entirely.
If you apply for a NIE number yourself, an appointment is required. There is no way to walk into a police station and complete the process without one.
However, there is an alternative approach.
Instead of applying in person, you can have your application handled by a legal representative. In this case, you do not need to book or attend an appointment yourself, as the process is managed on your behalf.
This allows you to move forward without being dependent on appointment availability.
Can you get a NIE number without an appointment?
In many cases, yes.
The biggest delay in the NIE process is not the issuance of the number itself, but the time it takes to secure an appointment. Once the appointment takes place, the NIE is often issued the same day or within a few days.
By avoiding the appointment step, you remove the most unpredictable part of the process.
This results in:
- A faster overall timeline
- More certainty about the process
- Less stress and waiting time
Your options
There are two realistic options:
Apply yourself
- Requires an appointment
- Can take time
- Depends on availability
Apply remotely
- No appointment needed
- Fully handled
- Faster and more predictable
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope our FAQ section will help you find the answers to some of the more frequent queries. Looking for anything else? For further information, kindly visit our Support page!
You must deliver the following documents to us:
- A certified copy of your ID or passport
Copy should be at its proper size (both sides for ID card). - Notarial deed power of attorney drawn up by notary.
After submitting your application via our website, we’ll send you a POA document that is already filled out. As a result, we can handle the NIE application on your behalf. Your passport or other photo ID and the signed POA papers must both be legalized copies.
We are given permission by the Power of Attorney (POA) form to apply for your NIE number on your behalf. This document merely authorizes one of our staff members to handle your NIE application processing, allowing us to handle the complete process on your behalf.
POA costs vary from country to country. On average, for European countries, a notary charges 50 euros.
An apostille must be included for the legalized copies of your documents to be accepted for usage abroad. Your documents are invalid for use abroad without an apostille.
Your notary can do this for you for a reasonable fee. Another option is to obtain the apostille at the courthouse. Preferably, the Apostille is in Spanish but this is not mandatory. In Belgium, you can also request the apostille digitally.
Document legalization, as used in international law, is the process of authenticating or certifying a document so that it can be recognized in another jurisdiction. Many countries demand that foreign documents be legalised in order to be accepted there, with an apostille appended in some situations, due to the lack of familiarity with foreign documents or the organizations that issue them.
It is true that anyone with travel authorization can apply for a Spanish NIE number. You must go to the Policia Nacional in order to complete this, and you must stand in line there. Because there will likely be a very long line waiting to enter, it is advised that you arrive well in advance of the opening hours.
Because Spanish authorities can not speak English, you must present the EX-15 form completed and correctly filled out as well as be able to speak Spanish (or any other language for that matter). We advise that you bring a translator if you don’t speak Spanish.
Additionally, there is very little uniformity among police stations, and methods may vary based on your location.
We provide our services for this reason. For a set charge, we take control of the entire procedure. Due to our years of knowledge, streamlined procedures, and expert short cuts, we can process your NIE number application super fast.
You can, indeed. But it can take a very long time. The main benefit of applying through our service as opposed to a Spanish consulate is quickness. An individual must wait 115 working days on average to get their NIE number from a Spanish consulate. This varies per nation, therefore we advise getting in touch with the Spanish consulate that is most convenient for you to learn more about their processing times.
The service offered by NIE Number Fast has processing times that are quicker than any substitute. It can take anything from 3-4 weeks for Priority to roughly 5-6 weeks for a normal application (after we receive the POA), depending on the service you select. If you need your documents quickly, we advise you to select our Priority service and, after placing your order, send them to us straight by a courier service like UPS/DHL.
For just €199 (excl. 21% VAT), you may apply for an NIE number through NIE Number Fast. The costs in the Netherlands of the notary and apostilles are at your expense.