Who needs an NIE?
Anyone who has financial, professional or legal dealings in Spain: buying or selling property, inheriting, starting a job, registering as self-employed, buying a car, or applying for residence. Tourists on holiday do not need one.
If you are applying for a residence visa (non-lucrative, digital nomad, work or student), you are normally given an NIE as part of that process and receive it on your TIE card. You don’t apply for it separately.
Two ways to apply
In Spain: at a National Police foreigners’ office (Oficina de Extranjería or Comisaría de Policía with a foreigners’ desk). You need an appointment (cita previa), booked on the government’s online appointment system under “Policía: certificados UE / asignación de NIE”. In big cities appointments can be hard to get; they are released at irregular times, so check often.
From abroad: at the Spanish consulate that covers where you live. Consulates usually take longer, but you avoid the hunt for an appointment in Spain. You can also give a power of attorney to a lawyer or gestor in Spain to apply for you.
What to bring
- Form EX-15, filled in and signed (download it from the Ministry of Inclusion website).
- Your passport and a photocopy.
- Proof of the reason you need the NIE: a purchase deposit contract, a job offer, a mortgage pre-approval, an inheritance document, and so on. Offices are strict about this.
- Proof of payment of the fee, tasa modelo 790 código 012, paid at a Spanish bank with the printed form. The fee is small (around €10); check the current amount on the National Police website.
How long does it take?
In person in Spain, many offices issue the NIE certificate the same day or within a few days. Consulates can take several weeks.
NIE vs TIE vs residency certificate
- NIE: the number.
- TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero): the plastic residence card for non-EU residents, showing the NIE. See our TIE guide.
- EU registration certificate: the green certificate for EU citizens living in Spain for more than three months, also showing the NIE. See our EU registration guide.
Common problems
- No appointments available. Try early in the morning, try other offices in the same province, or use a gestor.
- Rejected for “no reason given”. Bring a clear document showing why you need the number.
- Name spelling. Make sure your name matches your passport exactly; banks and notaries will compare them.
Official sources: Immigration e-office (Sede Electrónica)
