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Vat on new builds reduced from 8% to 4%
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  Gloomy report on Spanish property market
No recovery until 2016
   
  Repossession cases on the increase
Repossession cases heard by Marbella
   
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La familia Ramos deposita documentos relacionados con los 140 años de actividad de su despacho de abogados
   

 

Foreign exchange
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  Bank of Spain proposes doubling provisions for repossessed properties
Proposed changes will drive property prices down
 
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guides
  Guide to Spanish probate
Probate in Spain and inheritance law
 
  Contesting a Spanish will
Contentious probate & Disputed wills
 

 

Applying for Spanish NIE number
NIE application form in English
 
  Guide to drawing up last will and testament
Use of non Spanish wills in Spain
 
  Deed of dissolution of joint property ownership
Re-arranging assets following divorce or separation
 
  Divorce or legal separation in Spain
Guide to Spanish divorce or separation
 
  Guide to buying property in Spain
Legal guide on purchasing property in Spain
 
  Taxation of Pension Income in Spain
Spain - a favourable tax environment

published articles
  Bank and insurance guarantees
Enforcing a claim under bank or insurance guarantees
 
  Buy with confidence
Avoid the pitfalls
 
  Executing a power of attorney
Risks involved in executing a power of attorney
 
  Rural property
Risks involved in buying rustic or rural property
 
  Refinancing and equity release schemes
Spain an unregulated market place
 
  Starting a business in Spain
Pitfalls of buying a business in Spain
 
  International child abduction
Parental child abduction - Child abduction in Spain
 
 
 
Spanish NIE numbers

Applying for a Spanish NIE number - application form

An NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the Spanish equivalent of a UK National Insurance number or an Irish Personal Public Service Number. The main purpose of which is fiscal control and facilitating the payment of taxes by non-residents.

A foreign individual will be required to apply for an NIE number for any number of reasons such as:-

  • Buying or selling property
  • Opening a bank account
  • Applying for a mortgage
  • Inheritance
  • Payment of Spanish taxes
  • Buying a car
  • Entering into certain types of contract

If both husband and wife intend buying property in joint names then it will be necessary for both spouses to acquire NIE numbers.

Applying for an NIE number is a relatively straightforward procedure and need not necessarily involve professionals.

Applying in person in Spain

Correctly one should attend, in Spain, one's nearest police station (Comisaría de Policía) with a foreigners department (Oficinas de Extranjeros). The process varies from one police station to another - with some being efficient and others anything but efficient. Tip – find an efficient police station and use an address to suit that police station! In most police stations NIE applications will only be processed up to 1:00pm and in many police stations it's also necessary to attend at 9:00am to obtain a ticket and then return at 12:00 midday to present documentation.

Having checked the opening hours, and in particular the processing hours for NIE applications, request the form (Modelo 790) to pay the official fee of EUR16.00 at the bank, complete this form as per the attached example and pay at the bank and then return to the police station at the stipulated time to present the completed NIE application form and the bank stamped copy of the form (Modelo 790). The NIE application form should be presented in duplicate (see attached example) with a copy of one's passport (the original passport will also need to be presented at the time of the application). The police will stamp the copy application form which will need to be presented to collect the NIE number once issued All this should take no more than 1 hour. Also to apply in person it is not necessary to provide any documentation to justify the application other than to state the reason on the application form. NIE numbers are normally issued within 3 to 5 working days and in some police stations they are available on the next working day. It is not necessary to attend in person to collect an NIE number – anyone can collect the issued number by producing the police stamped copy of the application form.

NIE application form EX-15 (incl instructions in English) - complete on screen and print
Modelo 790 - example of completed form

Authorise a third party to apply

To authorise a third party to apply it is necessary to attend a notary and execute a power of attorney and also to have the notary make a notarised copy of the passport. If the power of attorney is executed outside of Spain then it is also necessary to have the power legalised and if not in Spanish or in dual column format (i.e. Spanish and English) then also translated. A Spanish lawyer should arrange the drafting of a suitable power of attorney. In terms of a fee for the power of attorney one should pay no more than EUR175 (excl Spanish notary fee if executed in Spain) and a fee of no more than EUR75 for attending the police station plus the official fee of EUR16.00 per application. However if the power of attorney is executed outside of Spain then one would have to also bear UK/Irish notary fees and also the cost of legalisation (i.e. having the apostille certificate affixed) and also any courier/postal costs to Spain.

Tip – for a husband and wife it is only necessary to execute one power of attorney and for your lawyer to attend the police station once so fees should not double but most Spanish lawyers will not discount on multiple applications.

Really it’s only necessary to authorise a third party if it’s not possible to attend in person especially as it no longer takes weeks between applying and collecting the NIE number.

Applying in person via an overseas Spanish Consulate

It is also possible to apply at the Spanish Consulate in one's home country. The Spanish Consulate General does not issue the NIE numbers and will only transfer the application to the relevant authorities in Spain through Diplomatic Mail. Applications take between 1-3 months when applying through the Consulate General.

The applicant must attend in person and present the following documents:-

  • 2 copies of completed application form – the form must be completed online and printed as handwritten forms will not generally be accepted. The reason for requesting the NIE number should be stated in Spanish. Also please note the form must be signed in person at the Consulate General.
  • Valid passport and a photocopy of the picture/details page.
  • An envelope bearing a Spanish address to where the issued NIE number should be sent (no stamp required)
  • An envelope addressed to:-
  Comisaría General de Extranjería y Documentación
  C/ General Pardiñas, 90
  Madrid 28006
  SPAIN
  • Non EU citizens with UK/Irish residency must present a certified copy of their residence permit and also written proof as to why the NIE number is required.
  • Cash to pay the official fee

Spanish Consulates in United Kingdom & Ireland

London

 

Address

20 Draycott Place, London, SW3 2RZ , England

Telephone

+44 207 589 89 89

Fax

+44 207 581 78 88

Email

conspalon@mail.maec.es

Web

www.mae.es/consulados/londres/en/home


Manchester

 

Address

1A, Brook House, 70 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BQ, England

Telephone

+ 44 161 236 12 33 or +44 161 236 12 62

Fax

+44 161 228 74 67

Email

consmanchester@btconnect.com

Web

www.mae.es/consulados/manchester/en/home


Edinburgh

 

Address

63 North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LJ, Scotland

Telephone

+44 131 220 18 43 or +44 131 220 14 39

Fax

+44 131226 45 68

Email

cog.edimburgo@mae.es

Web

www.mae.es/consulados/edimburgo/en/home


Dublin

 

Address

17A Meryln Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland

Telephone

+353 1 269 1640 or +353 1 283 8827

Fax

+353 1 269 1854

Email

emb.dublin.inf@maec.es

Web

www.mae.es/consulados/edimburgo/en/home

 
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