What is an NIE Number in Spain?
If you are planning to live, work or invest in Spain, you will need an NIE number. But what exactly is an NIE number and why is it so important? In this article we explain what an NIE number is , why you need one and how you can apply for it.
What is an NIE Number?
An NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a personal identification number for foreigners in Spain.
It is issued by the Spanish National Police and is used by the Spanish government to identify non-Spanish citizens.
The NIE number is used for almost all official and financial activities in Spain. Once you receive your NIE number, it will remain the same for life.
The number usually starts with a letter (such as X, Y or Z), followed by numbers and another letter.
Example: Y1234567X
Why do you need an NIE Number?
You need an NIE number for many important activities in Spain.
For example:
- Buying property in Spain
- Opening a Spanish bank account
- Paying taxes
- Starting a business
- Signing contracts
- Buying a car
- Getting a mortgage
- Working in Spain
Without an NIE number it is almost impossible to complete official processes in Spain.
That is why most foreigners apply for an NIE number as one of the first steps when moving to Spain.
Who need an NIE Number?
Anyone who wants to carry out legal or financial activities in Spain will need an NIE number.
This applies to:
EU Citizens
EU citizens often apply for an NIE number when they:
- Buy property
- Work in Spain
- Stay longer than 3 months
- Start a business
Non-EU Citizens
Non-EU citizens also receive an NIE number when applying for:
- A visa
- A residence permit
- A TIE card
- A digital nomad visa
In most immigration procedures, the NIE number is automatically assigned during the process.
How to get an NIE Number in Spain
Applying for an NIE number usually involves the following steps.
Make an Appointment
You must schedule an appointment at the Policía Nacional or a Spanish consulate. Appointments can sometimes be difficult to obtain depending on the region.
Complete the Application Form
You must complete the EX-15 form and indicate the reason for your application.
Pay the Government Fee
You must pay the official fee using Modelo 790.
Pay the Government Fee
Bring all required documents to your appointment, such as: Passport •Completed forms • Proof of payment • Documents explaining the reason for your NIE request
Receive Your NIE Certificate
After the appointment you will receive your official NIE certificate.
Can you apply for an NIE Number online?
Applying for an NIE number yourself can sometimes be difficult. Appointments with the Spanish police are often limited, paperwork must be completed correctly, and requirements may vary depending on the police office.
For many people who are not currently in Spain, attending the appointment in person is simply not practical.
The good news is that it is also possible to apply for an NIE number fully online through a power of attorney.
With our Remote NIE Number Service, the entire process can be handled without you travelling to Spain. After submitting your information online, our legal team represents you at the appointment in Spain using an official power of attorney.
This means:
- You do not need to travel to Spain
- We attend the appointment on your behalf
- All documents are prepared for you
- The entire process can be started online in just a few minutes
Once the process is completed, you will receive your official NIE certificate issued by the Spanish authorities.
Apply for your NIE Number online
If you prefer to avoid the complicated appointment process in Spain, you can apply for your NIE number completely online.
With our Remote NIE service, you simply submit your details through our online form and we take care of the rest of the process for you.
You can start your application here:
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.