How to get a NIE number the easy way!

NIE – Número de identidad de extranjero

How to get a NIE number in Spain?

To better assist you, I will provide a detailed explanation and a step-by-step guide on how to obtain your NIE (Foreigner Identity Number).

What is a NIE number?

It means Foreign Identity Number (Número de identidad de extranjero). It is a unique personal fiscal number that identifies you, allowing you to make purchases and access various services necessary for your home and life in Spain. Honestly, you need the NIE number for just about everything in Spain.

When do you require a NIE number?

Every non-Spanish individual who has ties to Spain for economic, professional, or social purposes needs it. Here are various reasons why.

Purchasing a home

You require a NIE to purchase a home in Spain. Technically, you can make an offer and submit the down payment without it, but you will need it when transferring the property at the notary. If you are buying the property with someone else, such as a partner or child, both of you will need a NIE number.

Rent a house

To have full tenant rights when renting a house (apartment, home, or flat) for an extended period, you are required to possess an NIE number.

Services

Every company that offers services like internet connection, mobile phone service, electricity, water, house insurance, and more will ask for your Social Security Number (SSN).

Buying or leasing a car

In Spain, having a valid NIE number is required to buy, lease, or rent a car. This includes purchasing a second car and getting insurance.

Opening a bank account

The bank you select to open a bank account as a non-resident will require your NIE. If your ‘Gestor’ (a combination of lawyer and accountant) has a strong connection with the local bank, they might be open to initiating the account without it initially, but ultimately, they will need the NIE for verification. They could potentially hold off for a few months, maximum.

Paying your taxes

Even if you’re not a permanent resident in the United States, you will still need to pay some taxes. Similar to your home country, there are taxes and public services that you must pay for if you purchase or rent a home.

What does the NIE document look like?

Throughout the previous years, individuals used to receive a plastic card resembling a credit card that displayed their name and number. However, for the past 15–20 years, the norm has shifted towards receiving a sheet of paper in A4 size. This document features your name, NIE number, and a signature, nothing more. It is vital to note that all services mentioned in this document require the physical card, not just the number. Despite this paper being a simple white piece that could easily be duplicated, the authorities insist on seeing the original copy with the signature and stamp.

To be honest, if you can create a high-quality scan and own a good printer, you can use copies. Just keep in mind that they require the original document.

The NIE number itself

The number itself consists out of a letter, like an X or Y, followed by 7 or 8 digits and another letter. Note: the first digit is often a 0 (zero). Some forms or websites require the complete number, including the 0, and some the number without it.
Example: Z01471885L or Z1471885L.

How to get a NIE number

The NIE is provided by:

National Police station with an ‘Oficina de Extranjeros’ (foreigners department).
Spanish Consulate in your home country.

You have the option to submit the request personally or have your gestor handle everything. Be sure to book an appointment at an office in your county. If you are in the Costa Blanca area, you can obtain the NIE at:

Benidorm – Comisaría del Cuerpo Nacional de Policía de Benidorm, C/ Apolo XI, 36, Benidorm.
Denia – C/ Castell d’Olimbroi, 5, Denia.
Alicante – Oficina de Extranjería, C/ Ebanistería 4, Alicante.
Elche – C/ Abeto, 1, Elche.
Torrevieja – C/ Maldonado, 57, Torrevieja.
Orihuela – C/ Sol, 34, Orihuela.
More offices are visible while you apply for an appointment online.

The papers you need to apply for your Spanish NIE number

Form EX15 (Solicitud de NIE y Extranjeros). This is the application form itself. You can get it here: click. Print it twice, complete the forms, sign them and bring both the copies. Do you need help in English? Click for a PDF with the English translation and a help page of the EX15 form. For extra instructions, see the instructions at the bottom-right.

Form Modelo 790 código 012. You can download it here: click. Print it twice, fill in the forms, sign them and pay the necessary tax at your local bank. You need to pay the taxes before you apply for the NIE and bring the bank-signed form.

Color passport photos (bring at least 3). It’s important to bring photos especially made for a NIE application, similar to the photos for a Spanish passport.

A valid ID like a passport (not a driver’s license) and a full color copy of both the pages with your details.

The reason you require the NIE. Economic, Professional or Social reasons.

The printed conformation of your appointment for the NIE application.

How to get your NIE appointment

Apply for an appointment here. Each office has a limited number of daily slots, and when someone cancels, those slots become available again. The available slots may change throughout the day. Click to schedule.

Make sure you have your passport at hand.

Choices at the application form:

PROVINCIAS DISPONIBLES: choose the relevant province (for example, Alicante). Click on ACEPTAR (accept).
OFICINA: Choose your office. Remember: every office had different available appointments.
TRÁMITES DISPONIBLES PARA LA PROVINCIA SELECCIONADA: select ASIGNACION DE NIE. Click on ACEPTAR (Accept).

Make sure to complete all the fields, including passport number, first and last name, year of birth, and nationality.

When everything is completed, click on ‘Acceptar’.

Next you will be presented with a window that includes your full name, passport number. If it’s all correct click on ‘Solicitar Cita’ (ask for a appointment).

If there are dates to choose from, go ahead and make a selection. However, if no dates are available, you’ll receive a message saying ‘En este momento no hay citas disponibles’ (currently there are no available appointments). Make sure to check multiple times a day, ideally during Spanish lunch and dinner hours.

NIE number example — NIE document – example

It really depends. If you’re just visiting as a tourist, then you don’t need it. However, once you start settling in by purchasing or renting a home, buying a car, or needing internet or any other service, having a NIE number becomes necessary.

Absolutely not. It’s is nothing more than a personal tax number. The NIE number is essential for any dealings you may have with local or national tax offices. Whether you own or rent a house, want to buy a car, or get a local phone number, you will need it. It’s important to clarify that having a NIE has no relation to whether you are a resident (living in Spain) or not. Even as a resident, you still require the same NIE number.

The number is permanent. There is absolutely no need to renew it. However, there are exceptions: If you previously had an NIE number and have not used it for several years (no property, etc. in Spain), there is a possibility that the number has been canceled.

You don’t need a Certificado Empadronamiento to obtain your NIE. The Certificado Empadronamiento serves as proof that Spain is your primary residence, whether you’ve been living there for many years or just 6 months.

If you plan to stay in Spain for less than 3 months, you do not require a Certificado Empadronamiento.

Yes, some schools in the US are accustomed to having students from different nationalities and are more flexible in allowing you to begin registering your child. However, there will come a time when they will start requiring it.

Yes, indeed. Many delivery services require it. Some will verify it upon delivery, especially for items such as smartphones or SIM cards, which necessitate providing your NIE number for identification purposes.

Yes, keep in mind that when you require the invoice for tax deductions, such as when selling your home and needing to pay taxes on the proceeds, or if you have a business, the invoice must meet specific criteria. These criteria may include your name, full address, and NIE (tax identification number) for both yourself and the seller.

In order to benefit from national health care (INSS) in Spain, you need more than that. Besides the NIE, you also need to provide the Certificado Empadronamiento, the EU Registry Certificate (Tarjeta Verde/Greencard), and proof of a Spanish income or a pension from abroad contributing to the national health care system.

Section 1 – Your personal data (Datos del Extranjero/a)

PASAPORTE: Your valid passport or ID number

NIE: This box remains empty as it is what we are trying to obtain

1st Apellido: Your family name

2nd Apellido: Your 2nd family name (if applicable)

Nombre: First name

Sexo: Tick the corresponding box: Male (H) / Female (M)

Fecha de nacimiento: Date of birth

Lugar: Place of birth

Country: Country of birth

Nacionalidad: Nationality

Estado Civil: Tick the corresponding box: Single (S) / Married (C) / Widow (V) / Divorced (D) / Separated (Sp)

Nombre del padre: First name of your father (not family name)

Nombre de la madre: First name of your mother (not family name)

Domicilio de residencia: Your current address/streetname (in Spain or abroad)

N°: House number

Piso: Floor number (if applicable)

Localidad: City

C.P: Postal Code

Provincia: Province

Teléfono móvil: Mobile phone number

E-mail: Your e-mail address

Legal representative, en su caso: The name of the legal representative (ONLY when the NIE application is made by a legal representative)

DNI / NIE / PAS: The identity document of the legal representative (ONLY when the NIE application is made by a legal representative)

Section 2 – legal representative (Datos del representante a efectos de la presentación de la solicitud)

This part is only to be completed if the person submitting the application is different from the applicant. If this is the case, your representative will fill it out on your behalf, as everything else in this form. If the request is made directly by you, this section is left blank.

Section 3 – correspondence address (Domicilio a efectos de notificaciones)

In this section, you need to indicate the address where you want to receive any correspondence. This may or may not be the same address you provided in the first section. This section is particularly useful if you are represented by a third party (legal representative).

Section 4 – Application details (Datos relativos a la solicitud)

A- Type of document (Tipo de documento)

In this section, you have to select which document you are applying for, i.e. the NIE or the resident or non-resident certificate. Choose NIE.

B- Reason to apply (Motivos)

Then you have to indicate the reasons why you want to get the NIE. These reasons are specific to each individual and you can choose between Economic reasons / Professional reasons / Social reasons.

In the “Especificar” field, specify your reason more precisely. For example: buying a house (comprar una casa) or: renting a house (alquilar una casa) or: for the green card (para tarjeta verde).

C- Place of application (Lugar de presentación)

Once you have obtained your Cita Previa (appointment) you can select the place where you will have your appointment. It is often at the police station. It is important to remember to book the Cita Previa in the province where you reside.

If the request is made at a Spanish Consulate, you can tick the corresponding box. Note that the NIE is in this case only valid for 3 months.

D- Your situation in pain (Situación en España)

In this section you need to indicate if you are (going to be) residing in Spain, or if your stay is temporary.

Section at the bottom

Consiento: In this last section you first have to indicate whether you give your consent for the administration to verify your personal data. You have to agree to start the application.

Data and signature: Specify the city and date in the following format “[City] a [Day of the month] de [Month] de [Year].

You can then sign in the ‘Firma del Solicitante’ box.

It’s simple to apply for an NIE number. You don’t require much Spanish. If you’d rather not wait outside a police station for several hours, we recommend using a gestor’s services. Some really handle everything for you.

* See the page with general terms.

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The content provided on this website is crafted with caution and primarily based on personal experiences. We do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or actions taken as a result of this information.