An NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your Spanish foreigner identification number, and almost anyone who lives, works, buys property or does business in Spain needs one. If you are planning a move, it is one of the first things you will deal with, and you will keep using it constantly once you are here. Here is what it is, who needs one, and why it matters.
NIE at a glance:
- What it is: your foreigner identification number in Spain
- Format: one letter, seven digits, one letter, for example X-1234567-B
- Who needs one: all foreign nationals, EU and non-EU, resident or not, with interests in Spain
- It functions as your tax and financial identifier in Spain, but it is also a broad administrative identity number
- It is a number, not a card: your NIE stays with you for life and never needs renewing
- Not the same as the TIE: the TIE is the residency card that carries your NIE number
What is a NIE Number?
An NIE is the identification number Spain issues to anyone who is not a Spanish citizen. Whether you are from the EU or outside it, if you are a foreigner with interests in Spain, you will need one.
It follows a set format: one letter, seven digits, and a final letter, for example X-1234567-B.
Once issued, it is yours for life. It does not expire and it never needs renewing.
Why Do You Need an NIE Number in Spain?
An NIE is essential for legal and financial matters in Spain, even if you’re not a resident—for example when purchasing an investment property. If you plan to live in Spain for more than three months, obtaining an NIE is your first step. You’ll need it for residency paperwork, Social Security registration, getting a driver’s license, buying a car in Spain (dealers will ask for it before completing any purchase), and other official procedures. Even the Amazon delivery man asks for our NIE Numbers!
Without a NIE number, residency in Spain is not possible.
Who is Required to Obtain an NIE?
As the ‘extranjero’ (‘foreigner’) in the name suggests, the NIE is mandatory for all foreign nationals with economic, professional, or social interests in Spain. This includes both EU and non-EU citizens. It is not attached to residency, as non-residents also need an NIE for administrative or legal activities in Spain.
How to Apply for Your NIE Number
Application Process
You have three ways to apply:
- In-person, in your own country of residence
Made through the Spanish consulate or embassy - In-person, in Spain
Made through a National Police Station or an Oficina de Extranjeros branch - Online, in Spain
Only available through non-government third-party companies
In Spain, appointments can be made through the public administration website (Sede Electrónica).
Important Notes
- The process and requirements vary depending on your need for an NIE (eg, work, property purchase, residence, etc.). Make sure you follow the instructions specific to your needs.
- No official online process exists for obtaining an NIE outside Spain.
- You can appoint a representative with power of attorney to apply.
- Read the notes (in English) on obtaining an NIE on the Spanish government’s website.
- You may be issued a provisional NIE number on the spot. However, this is not guaranteed, and the time taken to issue can vary based on the current volume of applications.
- Government officials’ knowledge, processing times, and procedures vary significantly across Spanish provinces. Research your local municipality’s NIE process carefully.
- Bring photocopies of all documents to avoid delays, as missing paperwork may result in having to book another appointment.
- It is strongly recommended that you seek professional help. The most minor error or omission will result in your application being denied. It is worth the time and money to at least consult with an expert.
Here are the three processes to choose from:
1. In Person, in Your Own Country of Residence
- Contact your nearest Spanish Consulate or the Spanish Embassy
Arrange an appointment and ask what you are required to do. This is important as consulates have leeway to interpret requirements and can vary considerably! - Gather Documents (see Required Documents)
- Attend the Appointment
Take all documents with copies and as much additional documentation as you think is relevant. Pay the application fee (check beforehand whether credit card and cash are accepted) using form 790-012. - Receive Notification of Your NIE
The processing time can vary, often taking up to two months or more. You may receive the NIE directly from the consulate or have it sent to you.
2. In Person, in Spain
- Book an appointment with your nearest Oficina de Extranjeros or National Police Station (Comisaría de Policía)
You can do this online by arranging a Cita Previa on the public administration website. Alternatively, call 0376 97 900, ext 1) for the Oficina de Extranjeros or the Comisaría de Policía. - Gather Documents (see Required Documents)
IMPORTANT: You must pay the NIE application fee beforehand, as you cannot pay in person at your appointment. - Attend the Appointment
Take all documents and copies and as much additional documentation as you can. - Receive Notification of Your NIE
Your NIE may be ready immediately, or you might need to return it in a few days to collect it.
Need help with Spanish paperwork?
Raquel and her team are ready to guide you through it! Schedule a 30-minute consultation with them to understand the process, manage appointments, handle paperwork, and complete your application.
3. Online, in Spain
Currently, applying for an NIE entirely online through an official Spanish government website is not possible. Some third-party services offer online processes where they handle the application process, including filling out forms and submitting them on your behalf, but these are not official government channels.
Required Documents
Ensure that all non-Spanish documents (except your passport) are officially translated into Spanish and apostilled if necessary — see our articles Certified Translations for Spanish Immigration and The Hague Apostille Process in Spain for more details.
Document requirements can vary. Check the specific documents you need with the office where you have your appointment.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application Form EX-15 | Indicate the economic, professional, or social reasons for the NIE application. If you are an EU national you will need to complete form EX-18. |
| Passport | Original and photocopy. Note: ALL pages, including blank ones, must be photocopied. |
| Certificado de Empadronamiento (Padrón) | Certificate of registration in the city/town where you live (may not be required in all regions). |
| Photographs | Two recent color passport-sized 26x32mm photographs with a white background. |
| Proof of Appointment | Printout of the appointment confirmation (Cita Previa) if applying in person. |
| Reason for Requiring an NIE | Eg Visa application, a sales agreement if you’re buying a property, etc. |
| Payment Receipt | Receipt of payment of the corresponding fee (Tasa Modelo 790-012). Can be paid online or at a Spanish bank. |
Is the NIE the same as the TIE?
No, and this is the most common mix-up, so it is worth being clear. Your NIE is a number. Your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical residency card that carries that number, along with your photo and fingerprints. The NIE is used for administrative and financial matters and carries no residency status of its own. The TIE proves you live in Spain legally and has to be renewed. If it is the card you are looking for rather than the number, see our guide to Spain’s TIE residency card.
DNI vs NIE vs TIE
The easiest way to keep these straight is to split them into the card and the number. For a Spanish citizen, the DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) is both their physical ID card and their ID number. So the DNI card is to a Spaniard what your TIE is to you, and the DNI number is what your NIE is: the identifier itself.
(You may also see NIF, Número de Identificación Fiscal. This is just the tax label for that number, not a separate one you apply for. A Spanish citizen’s NIF is their DNI number, and a foreigner’s NIF is their NIE.)
In everyday life the names get used loosely. When a Spaniard asks for your DNI (said roughly “deh-neh-ee”), they usually just mean your ID number, which for you is your NIE. The simplest way to give it to them is to show your TIE, since your NIE is printed on it. – Alastair Johnson, Moving to Spain
