The NIE number in Spain

Immigration Management Service

The Spanish law requires an identification number for foreigners if you make some transactions.

The law in Spain requires foreign nationals to obtain a NIE number (Número de identificación de Extranjeros) for various transactions, such as purchasing or selling a property, applying for a mortgage, buying a car, paying taxes, etc.

The processing time of a NIE application varies on the time of year, the volume of applications, and the area of Spain you’re applying for.

There are different ways of applying for a NIE number. Below we list the official bodies, together with the documents required at each one.

Application in person at the Immigration Office within the Police Station
EX-15 form duly filled in and signed.
Passport – original and copy.
One passport photo.
Administration fee – 9.64 €.
Document proving the necessity of a NIE number, e.g. mortgage approval, contract… (non-EU members).

Application in person at a Spanish Consulate or Embassy in your country of main residence

EX-15 form duly filled in and signed.
Passport – original and copy.
One passport photo.

Legal Representation

Power of attorney signed in front of a Public Notary either in Spain or in your home country, granting the lawyer of your choice permission to request a NIE number on your behalf.
Legalised passport copy.
One passport photo.

Please note this is only general information for your perusal. The NIE number procedure in Spain has changed very often in the past years and might do in the future. We highly recommend you to discuss it with a lawyer specialised in Immigration Management for an accurate advise.