By Sem Grijpink · 9 October 2026 · 5 min read
Applying for an NIE number at the Spanish consulate in Amsterdam
If you want to apply for an NIE number from the Netherlands, you can do so at the Spanish Consulate General in Amsterdam. That is convenient because you do not have to travel to Spain for it, but in practice there are a few pitfalls: a mandatory appointment, varying waiting times and strict document requirements. This article walks you through the process. For the basics (what an NIE is and why you need it) we refer to our article on applying for an NIE number in Spain.
Booking an appointment at the consulate
The Spanish Consulate General in Amsterdam is located at the Frederiksplein. You can only visit with an appointment, which you book online through the consulate's appointment system (cita previa), with the service for the Número de Identidad de Extranjero.
Each applicant needs their own appointment, even if you are buying together. Available slots are sometimes scarce and become available at varying moments, so check the website regularly.
Which documents to bring
Use only the EX-15 form that you download from the consulate's official website, fully completed and signed. Also bring a valid passport or ID with a copy, the paid fee form (modelo 790, code 012), a passport photo and a document that substantiates the reason for your application, for example a reservation contract.
The exact requirements and number of copies may change, so check the current list on the consulate's website just before your appointment. We are happy to help our clients check the file.
Costs and waiting time
The fee for the NIE is a small amount, around ten euros. The precise amount is on the official fee form and changes annually.
Waiting times vary greatly: from an appointment becoming available to issuance it can take weeks to a few months, depending on how busy it is. Start well ahead of the notary, and not only when you have already bought a property.
Alternative: a power of attorney
If you cannot get an appointment in time, or prefer not to go yourself, a representative in Spain can submit the application for you. For that you sign a notarial power of attorney, which is used in Spain for the application.
We can guide this process for our clients, so the NIE is ready when you need it, and you do not have to travel specially to Amsterdam or Spain.
When to apply
The NIE is needed for the reservation, the deposit contract and at the notary. Apply for it as soon as you are seriously searching, not only after the reservation, especially if waiting times are long.
Keep in mind that some institutions, such as banks, sometimes ask for a recent certificate. Therefore keep the issued document carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Spanish consulate for the NIE in the Netherlands?+
The Spanish Consulate General is in Amsterdam, at the Frederiksplein. You can only visit with an appointment that you book online.
Can I apply for the NIE without going to the consulate?+
Yes, with a notarial power of attorney a representative in Spain can submit the application for you. We are happy to guide that.
What does an NIE number cost?+
The fee is a small amount of around ten euros (modelo 790, code 012). The precise amount is on the official fee form and changes annually.
Questions about your own situation?
We're happy to think along with you, without obligation and in your own language.
Read more
Other articles
Buying a house in Spain: the complete cost overview
Which taxes and costs come on top of the purchase price when you buy a property on the Costa del Sol? A complete overview, with a worked example.
Read the article →Living on the Costa del Sol: the pros and cons
An honest look at what life on the Costa del Sol actually involves: from climate and cost of living to red tape and choosing between the different regions.
Read the article →Applying for an NIE number in Spain: step by step
Without an NIE number you can't buy a house in Spain, open a bank account, or pay tax. Here's how to apply, from the Netherlands or in Spain itself.
Read the article →The buying process in Spain: from reservation to notary
Reservation contract, due diligence, arras contract, notary: the four steps between finding your property and getting the keys, explained.
Read the article →A mortgage in Spain as a foreigner: how it works
How much can you borrow as a non-resident, which documents does the bank ask for, and what changed under Spain's 2019 mortgage law? A practical overview.
Read the article →Annual taxes as a non-resident property owner in Spain
IBI, non-resident income tax, and wealth tax: which taxes do you pay every year once you own a property in Spain, and how much are they?
Read the article →Making a will in Spain: why alongside your Dutch will
A Spanish will alongside your Dutch one prevents delays and extra costs for your heirs. How the EU succession regulation works and what you need to arrange.
Read the article →A second home in Spain and Dutch box 3 tax: what you need to know
A home in Spain counts towards your Dutch tax return. How box 3 works, at which value, what happens to your mortgage, and what is about to change.
Read the article →Emigrating to Spain: state pension, pension and what to arrange
A second home is not the same as emigrating. Deregistering, registering, state pension, healthcare and tax: the main points for anyone moving to the Costa del Sol.
Read the article →A buying agent in Spain: what does it cost and who pays?
In the Netherlands you pay your own buying agent. In Spain that is usually different. How commission works, what is and is not free, and what to look for when choosing.
Read the article →New build or resale in Spain: which suits you?
Tax, payment schedule, guarantees and what you get for your money: the differences between a new-build home and a resale home on the Costa del Sol.
Read the article →Golden Mile or Elviria: where is the best place to live in Marbella?
Marbella is not one place but several worlds. The difference between the Golden Mile and Elviria, and where the New Golden Mile near Estepona fits in.
Read the article →Buying on the Costa del Sol under €300,000: what is for sale?
What can you buy for €300,000 on the Costa del Sol? An honest overview based on our current listings: where, which type and what comes on top.
Read the article →