WHAT is the N.I.E. number? Getting a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number / Número de Identificación de Extranjero) number in Spain

23 Jan, 2022 by Helena-Reet Ennet

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NordenBladet – A NIE number (Foreigner Identification Number / Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is needed by all foreigners with legal or tax activity in Spain. NordenBladet´s complete guide explains the NIE application process and what you need to get your Spanish NIE number. This guide gives an overview what a NIE number is, specifies the application process, where to find application forms, and finding the right contact number.

What is a Spanish N.I.E Number?
N.I.E. is an abbreviation for Número de Identidad de Extranjero, which translates as Identification Number for Foreigners, or Foreigners’ Identification Number if you prefer.

The NIE number is the legal number the Spanish National Police (https://www.policia.es) assigns to foreign residents who don’t have Spanish citizenship, so that they can carry out legal activities in Spain. The actual format of the number certificate is an A4 white sheet which contains your name, surname, date of birth, city and country of birth, and of course the unique number.

The NIE is your all-purpose identification and tax number in Spain. Spain’s NIE number is the personal and unique tax identification number that is used to track all financial and legal activities in Spain. The Spanish number acts as a tax and identification number, and is necessary for all financial transactions that involve the Spanish tax office (https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es/). For example, you will need a NIE number to buy a property, buy a car, get connected to the utilities and, most importantly as far as the Spanish state is concerned, pay your taxes. Without a NIE number, the Spanish tax authorities are unable to assess or process annual tax payments such as income tax (IRPF), and the annual wealth tax (Patrimonio), both of which are declared by resident and non-resident property owners.

Using your Spanish NIE number
Here are some of the most common procedures for which you will need a Spanish NIE number:

* Opening a bank account in Spain
* Being legally employed
* Paying taxes in Spain
* Buying or selling property in Spain
* Buying or selling motor vehicles
* Becoming self-employed in Spain
* Registering a business in Spain
* Studying in Spain
* Getting a Spanish driver’s license
* Arranging utilities in Spain

The list goes on but as a general guide, any activities of a legal nature require a Spanish NIE number.

A NIE number is mandatory for all foreigners with financial, professional, or social affairs in Spain, regardless of whether they are a resident or non-resident in Spain. Children also need a NIE number in order to, among other things, get social security!

European citizens typically need to apply NIE number after three months of residence in Spain, while non-EU citizens will typically receive their application along with their Spanish residency. Official residents in Spain will also typically need to register on el padrón (Spain’s population register).

Note: NIE number certificates were being issued with a 3-month validity from the time of issue, after which you were expected to apply for residency, or register as a non-resident. So after three months the certificate was no longer valid, at least in principle. However, at some point the regulation was changed to eliminate the three-month expiry deadline, so NIE number certificates now bear no expiry date. But this is Spain, the bureaucracy is a bit of a mess, and regulations are not uniformly implemented or even understood. You may find that some notaries refuse to accept an old certificate that expired after three months, which could cause problems for people who have one of the old certificates. So if you happen to have requested a NIE number in the past, check it to make sure it doesn’t bear an expiry date. If it does, request a new copy without an expiry date.

NIE application
NIE applications can be submitted while living or visiting Spain to the relevant Spanish National Police station dedicated to foreign documentation. You can also apply for a NIE number at the Spanish embassy located in your country.

In Spain, the NIE number can be requested either by you or via an authorized figure (lawyers, solicitors, relatives, or friends) holding a Spanish power of attorney. The processes may differ slightly depending on the region.

Spanish NIE requirements
This is something you need to first ask about at the relevant office where you will apply for your NIE number. The type of requirements can vary from one office to another, although you will generally need:

* NIE application form (EX 15 form); click (http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/InformacionParaExtranjeros/Documents/MODELO%20EX%2015.%20Solicitud%20NIE%20Ingl%C3%A9s.pdf) for an English translation of the NIE application form, although the submitted NIE form must be in Spanish.
* Original passport (current and not expired) and one photocopy
* Two small photos
* Government fee (€10.71 in 2018), which you should pay at the bank using a 790 NIE form (http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/EDIMBURGO/en/Consulado/Documents/Model%20790.pdf).

Note: Some police stations may request the traditional paper NIE form, which you can collect at any national police station dealing with foreign documentation. For those of you who live in Torrevieja, Elche, Benidorm, and Alicante areas, you will need to request an appointment for your NIE number online at consultor.com (http://consultor.com/oue/).

NIE number vs NIE card.
A NIE number is just a number written on a white piece of paper. The NIE card and the TIE card are the most common legal documents that are required by both EU citizens (NIE Spain) and Non-EU citizens (TIE Spain) who plan to move to Spain.  The non-resident NIE does not authorize you to reside or work legally in Spain. It is merely a number that identifies you as a foreigner in the country (for example, for tax purposes). And you should not confuse it with the TIE, the actual residence card.

White NIE vs. Green NIE (for EU-Citizens)
There are two forms of NIE available for EU passport holders. You can get a NIE number or NIE card. A NIE number is just a number written on a white piece of paper. Meanwhile, the NIE card is aalso referred to as a residency certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión) or residency card (tarjeta de residencia) that will enable you to complete all the paperwork you need for your daily life in Spain. This certificate of residency is equivalent to a NIF (Spanish citizens’ ID card).

Your N.I.E. card
* The N.I.E. number certificate described in this guide does not mean Spanish residency. This requires separate documents and procedures, although the Spanish residency card (or A4 sheet) shows the number.
* Your NIE number is permanent. Formerly, numbers were temporary for three month periods in some regions, but this is no longer the case.
* You won’t be able to exchange your foreign driving license in Spain if you only have an NIE number. You’ll have to have Spanish residency.
* Take your number certificate with you, along with your passport, if you need to make a police report.

Important links and information

* NIF: The Número de Identificación Fiscal (NIF) serves as a fiscal identification number for those born in Spain, and is the Spaniards’ version of this number.
* CIF: The Certificado de Identificacion Fiscal (CIF) is the tax number for all companies in Spain. It serves as the VAT number.
* NIE numbers: The number will consist of an X or Y followed by seven or eight digits and another letter.
* Contact number: Find the relevant police office in your area (https://www.policia.es)
* NIE form (payment): Form 790 (http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/EDIMBURGO/en/Consulado/Documents/Model%20790.pdf)
* NIE application form: Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados (EX-15) (http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/PRAGA/Documents/Formulario%20EX-15.pdf)

Applying for the NIE number in person via a Spanish Consulate abroad
Take all documentation in person to your nearest Spanish Consulate.

You have to go in person with all the relevant documentation to your nearest Spanish consulate. The Spanish Consulate cannot issue NIE numbers; it only acts as a “postal box” between the applicant and the competent authorities in Spain. Once you have submitted your application through the Consulate they will not be able to provide you with any further information on the status of your application. For any further information or enquires as to the status of your application you should write to Comisaría General de Extranjería y Documentación.

Address:
Comisaría General de Extranjería y Documentación
Dirección General de Policia
C/ General Pardiñas, 90
28006 Madrid

Await notification from the Spanish authorities. If all goes well you should receive your NIE number in pdf format by email within 2/3 weeks.

Embassy of Spain in Norway
Halvdan Svartes gate 13, 0268 Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47 22 92 66 90
Website: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/embajadas/oslo/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx

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