Applying for a Spanish NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)

An NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the Spanish equivalent of an English 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 a Spanish NIE number for any number of reasons such as:-

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

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

Applying for a Spanish NIE number is a relatively straightforward procedure and need not necessarily involve professionals. The matter is no more complicated than popping into one's local Post Office in UK or Ireland and applying for a television licence.

Applying for a Spanish NIE number in person in Spain
Correctly you should attend, in Spain, your nearest police station (Comisaría de Policía) with a foreigners department (Oficinas de Extranjeros) where you plan to purchase property . The process varies from one police station to another - with some being efficient and others anything but efficient e.g. Malaga and Fuengirola are highly efficient whereas Torremolinos is a disaster zone! Tip – find an efficient police station and use an address to suit that police station! In most police stations they will only process NIE applications up to 1:00pm, also Fuengirola Police station will normally only process NIE applications between 12:00pm and 1:00pm.

Having checked the opening hours simply pop along to the police station and collect the form (Modelo 790) to pay the official fee of EUR16.17, complete it as per the attached example and  take it along to the bank to pay and return to the police station with the stamped copy to fill in the NIE application form. The NIE application form should be presented in duplicate (see attached example) with a copy of your passport (you will also need to present original passport at time of application). You will receive back the stamped duplicate of the application form which you will need when you return to collect the NIE number. All this should take no more than 1 hour. Also to apply in person it is not necessary to provide any documentation to justify your application other than to state the reason on the form. NIE numbers are now 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 your NIE number – anyone can collect it for you if they have the stamped copy of the application form. Anyone feeling a little unsure of the process should ask their lawyer to accompany them for which a fee of no more than EUR75 should be charged which should also include collecting and forwarding on the NIE number once issued.

NIE application form EX-14 (incl instructions) - complete on screen and print
Modelo 790 - example of completed form

Authorise a third party to apply for Spanish NIE on your behalf
To authorise a third party to apply on your behalf it is necessary to attend a notary and execute a power of attorney and also to have the notary make a notarised copy of your 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. Your Spanish lawyer will arrange for you to attend a notary and execute the power of attorney. In terms of a fee for the power of attorney you should pay no more than EUR150 (incl 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 EUR16.17 per application. However if the power is executed outside Spain then you would have to also bear UK/Irish notary fees and also the cost of legalisation (i.e. having the apostille certificate affixed) and also courier/postal costs.

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 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 for a Spanish NIE number in person via an overseas Spanish Consulate
It is also possible to apply at the Spanish Consulate in your home country. The Spanish Consulate General does not issue the NIE numbers and will only transfer your application to the relevant authorities in Spain through Diplomatic Mail. Applications take between 1-3 months when applying through the Consulate General

You will have to attend in person and bring the following documentation with you:-

• 2 copies of completed application form (NIE Application EX-14) – 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 page containing your personal details
• An envelope bearing a Spanish address to where you want the NIE number 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