Contents
What the NIE is — and is not
The NIE is a personal identification number that the Spanish state issues to foreign nationals. It follows you for life and never changes. The number is used in practically every formal act: the purchase deed, the land registry, tax returns, electricity contracts, bank accounts and insurance.
What the NIE is not: it makes you neither registered nor tax resident in Spain. You can hold an NIE, own a home here and remain resident in your home country. Those questions are decided by entirely different rules — see the guides on tax residency and Modelo 210.
Where to apply
There are three common routes:
- The Spanish consulate in your country — you apply before you travel. Good if you have plenty of time.
- A police station with a foreigners’ office in Spain (Oficina de Extranjería or Policía Nacional). Requires an appointment, which at times is hard to get.
- Through a representative with power of attorney — a lawyer or gestoría handles the application for you. The power of attorney is signed before a notary and must be worded correctly for this specific purpose.
Documents you need
- The completed application form (EX-15).
- A valid passport, original and copy.
- The reason for the application — for a property purchase, a signed reservation or deposit agreement, or a letter from the agent, is normally enough.
- Proof of payment of the application fee (form 790, code 012).
Always check against the source. Forms, fees and appointment rules change. Go by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior’s pages or your representative, not by an article — this page is an overview, not legal advice.
Five things that usually go wrong
- Applying too late. The waiting time is what most often breaks the timeline of a purchase.
- The wrong form of your name. It must be spelled exactly as in your passport, in every document. One letter out and the deed is stopped.
- A power of attorney that is too narrow. A power drafted for the purchase itself does not automatically cover the NIE application.
- Only one of two buyers applies. If you are going to own jointly, each of you needs your own NIE.
- Supporting documents that expire. Some offices require the document proving your reason to be recent.
If you buy through us, keeping the order straight is part of the service: NIE, bank account, deposit, checks on title and debts, notary. Want us to go through your situation before you start? Get in touch.