How to get your NIE number in Spain

What is an NIE number?

The NIE — Número de Identidad de Extranjero, or Foreigner Identification Number — is your personal identification and tax number in Spain. It's the reference the Spanish authorities use to identify you in any official or financial transaction, and you'll need it to buy a property, open a Spanish bank account and pay your taxes here.

One important point that trips a lot of people up: the NIE is simply a number, not a residency permit. Getting an NIE does not give you the right to live in Spain, and you don't need to be a resident to have one. Non-residents who buy a holiday home or an investment property get an NIE too — it's purely an identification number that follows you for life and doesn't expire.

The three ways to get an NIE

There are three routes to obtaining your NIE, and the right one depends on where you are and how hands-on you want to be:

• 1. In Spain, at a foreigners' office. You apply in person at a National Police foreigners' office (Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional). You'll almost always need an appointment booked in advance — the famous cita previa — as offices don't take walk-ins.
• 2. At a Spanish consulate in your home country. You can apply at the Spanish consulate that covers where you live before you ever travel to Spain. This is handy if you want the NIE sorted before completion day, though consulate waiting times vary.
• 3. By power of attorney (POA). You grant power of attorney to a Spanish lawyer, who then obtains the NIE on your behalf — you don't have to attend in person at all. This is common and very convenient for international buyers, and it's the route many of my clients choose because their lawyer handles everything alongside the purchase.

Documents you'll typically need

Requirements vary a little by office and by route, but for a property purchase you're usually asked for:

• A valid passport — plus a photocopy of it.
• The completed application form, known as the EX-15.
• Proof of the reason you need an NIE — for buyers this is normally evidence of the property purchase (for example a reservation contract or a note from the notary).
• Proof you've paid the fee, which is done through the tax form Modelo 790. The fee is small — around €10.

The process, step by step

1. Book your cita previa. Request an appointment at the foreigners' office (or consulate). Appointments are the main bottleneck, so book as early as you can.
2. Complete form EX-15. Fill in the official NIE application form with your details and the reason for the request (your property purchase).
3. Pay the Modelo 790 fee. Pay the administrative fee (about €10) via the Modelo 790 tax form, usually at a bank, and keep the stamped proof.
4. Attend your appointment with your passport. Turn up on the day with your passport and a copy, the EX-15, your proof of purchase and your paid Modelo 790.
5. Receive your NIE certificate. Once approved you're issued an NIE certificate showing your number — and that's it, you're ready to buy.

How long does it take?

It really depends on appointment availability. In a quiet office you can sometimes attend and walk out with your certificate the same day; in busier areas, getting a cita previa can push the whole process out to a few weeks. The single biggest factor is how quickly you can secure that appointment — which is exactly why letting a lawyer handle it by power of attorney can save you time and a trip.

A quick note before you start

Spanish administrative procedures and fees can change, and the exact paperwork can vary from one office to the next. Always confirm the current requirements with the office or consulate you'll be using — or simply let your lawyer take care of it under power of attorney so you don't have to worry about the details at all. As an estate agent here on the Costa Blanca, I work in English and Spanish and can point you to trusted, English-speaking lawyers who do this every week for international buyers.

Frequently asked questions

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