Guide · NIE
NIE number in Spain: how to get yours.
Dreaming of a life in Spain, in Mallorca (Majorca) or on the mainland? Whether you buy a home, rent one or just open a bank account, it almost always starts with the same formality: the NIE number. Here is what it is, which routes exist and which one suits you.
What is the NIE?
NIE stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero. Spain assigns this number to foreigners who have economic, professional or private matters to settle in the country. It is valid for life and always stays the same.
What you need it for
- Buying property: at the notary appointment at the latest
- Tenancy agreement: at Predator SL, when the contract is signed
- Taxes and charges
- A bank account in Spain, as a rule
- Inheritance, setting up a company and other contracts
The NIE is only a number. EU citizens who live in Spain for more than three months also register as EU residents. That is a separate application.
Which route suits you?
| Route | Suits you if … | Do you have to go? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yourself in Spain | you are there anyway | Yes, to the police appointment | Fee, around €10 |
| Spanish consulate | you live abroad and a consulate is within reach | Yes, to the consulate | Fee, around €10 |
| Authorised representative | you do not want to travel or time is short | No, you grant a power of attorney | Fee plus the representative’s charge, often a notary too |
Route 1: yourself in Spain
The cheapest route if you are on the island or the mainland anyway. The National Police and the immigration offices (Oficina de Extranjería) are responsible.
- Book an appointment (cita previa); this is done online
- Complete and sign form EX-15
- Generate the fee form Modelo 790 Código 012 online and pay at a bank
- Go to the appointment with all documents
- Collect the certificate and check name and number
In Mallorca free appointments are often scarce. Book the appointment before you plan the trip.
Route 2: through the Spanish consulate
If you do not live in Spain, you apply at the Spanish consulate responsible for where you live. You go there in person; the consulate forwards the application to Spain and contacts you once the number has been assigned.
Each consulate sets its own procedure, appointments and way of paying the fee. Check its website first. This route costs little but usually takes longer because of the forwarding.
Route 3: with a power of attorney, without travelling
You do not have to appear yourself if someone in Spain submits the application in your name. That can be your lawyer or a private service provider such as E-Residence. You need an express power of attorney, normally notarised and, if issued abroad, with an apostille and a translation.
Service providers prepare the forms, obtain the appointment and submit the application. Some also offer the power of attorney online. This costs considerably more than the state fee but saves the trips, and is mainly of interest to anyone who is not in Spain. These providers are not an authority; they cannot guarantee appointments or deadlines.
Get this in writing before you pay
- Total price per person
- Is the state fee included?
- What do power of attorney, apostille, translation and delivery cost?
- Do you have to appear in person anywhere after all?
- What time frame is realistic?
Can it be done online?
Not with the authority. The National Police treats the assignment of an NIE as an in-person procedure. Online you only do the preparation there: the form, the fee form and the appointment booking.
You can still do it from home, through route 3. In that case you do not apply online yourself; an authorised representative submits the application in person for you. You send the documents digitally and grant the power of attorney.
The documents you need
Per person, for all three routes:
- Form EX-15, completed and signed
- Passport or identity card in the original, plus a copy
- A statement of reasons with evidence, for example a reservation or preliminary contract or a letter from a notary or lawyer
- Proof that the fee has been paid (Modelo 790 Código 012)
- For route 3, the power of attorney as well
Cost and time
- State fee: around €10 per person. The fee form shows the current amount.
- With a power of attorney: the representative’s charge, notary, apostille and translation on top.
- Decision by the authority: within five days of receiving the application.
- Overall: usually a few weeks, because you wait for the appointment or the consulate forwards the application.
Common mistakes
- Wrong form: the NIE uses EX-15, not EX-18 (registration as an EU resident) and not EX-17 (identity card).
- Applying for a second NIE: if you already have a number, you keep it.
- Ordering one NIE “for the couple”: each person needs a separate application and a separate number.
- Different spelling: enter name and document number exactly as in your passport or identity card.
- Starting too late: you need the NIE at the notary appointment or when the tenancy agreement is signed.
Frequently asked questions about the NIE
Can I apply for an NIE number online?
Not with the authority: there you can only complete the forms and book the appointment online. From home it works through an authorised representative, such as a lawyer or service provider, who submits the application in person for you.
How long does it take to get an NIE?
The authority decides within five days of receiving the application. The wait for an appointment or the forwarding by the consulate comes on top; expect a few weeks in total.
How much does the NIE cost?
The state fee (Modelo 790 Código 012) is around ten euros per person. Service providers, notary, apostille and translation cost extra.
Which documents do I need for the NIE?
Form EX-15, passport or identity card with a copy, a statement of reasons with evidence such as a reservation contract, and proof that the fee has been paid.
Do couples need a joint NIE?
No. Each person who needs an NIE makes a separate application and receives a separate number, married couples included.
Does the NIE expire?
The number stays the same for life. Banks or notaries may, however, ask for a recent certificate.
Is the NIE a residence permit?
No. It is only an identification number. EU citizens who live in Spain for more than three months also register as EU residents (form EX-18).
When do I need the NIE when buying or renting?
When buying, at the notary appointment at the latest. At Predator SL you also need it when a tenancy agreement is signed; you do not need it yet for the enquiry and the viewing.
Sources: Policía Nacional: Asignación de NIE · Ministerio del Interior: Número de Identidad de Extranjero