Applying for an NIE number in Spain: step by step

The NIE is a tax identification number for foreigners doing business in Spain, whether that's a purchase, work, or an extended stay. The number itself never changes and remains valid for life, even if you stop doing business in Spain in between.

An NIE isn't a residence permit. It doesn't give you the right to live or work in Spain, it's purely an identification number for the tax authorities and other institutions.

You have two options. The first is through the Spanish consulate, which is useful if you want to arrange the application before travelling to Spain. The second is in person at the Oficina de Extranjería or the designated police station, with form EX-15.

Can't be there in person when it's issued? We can arrange the application on your behalf through a power of attorney at the notary, so you don't have to make a separate trip to Spain just for this step.

At a minimum you'll need: a valid passport, the completed EX-15 form, proof of payment of the associated tax (modelo 790, code 012), and a justification for the application, for example a property reservation contract.

Working with a representative? Then a notarial power of attorney is also needed, in Spanish or with a sworn translation. We make sure this file is complete before it's submitted, so you don't make a trip for nothing.

The tax itself costs a small amount, typically around 10 to 15 euros. Processing time varies significantly by province and time of year: expect one to four weeks from the moment of application.

Because the application is usually one of the first steps in the buying process, we typically start it right after you've reserved a property, so the NIE number is ready by the time you actually need it, at the notary.

Buyers regularly confuse the NIE number with the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), the physical residence card for anyone living in Spain for more than three months. To buy a property as a non-resident, you only need the NIE number, not the TIE.

If you do plan to spend more than half the year in Spain, you'll eventually need the TIE too, with a separate application and its own conditions. For most buyers using the property as a second home, this remains an irrelevant step.

The most common mistake is an incompletely filled-in EX-15 form or a missing modelo 790. Your passport also needs to remain valid for long enough, some offices reject applications if validity expires within a few months.

A second common mistake is starting too late: when the consulate or police station is busy, an appointment can take weeks to secure. We therefore plan the application early in the process, so a delay with the NIE number is never the reason a notary transfer runs late.