🇪🇸 Spain

Solicitud de NIE

Foreigner ID Number Application

Medium 20 min ImmigrationIDRegistration

/ What is this form?

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the official identification number assigned to foreign nationals in Spain. It is an alphanumeric code (format: X-1234567-A) that uniquely identifies you in all interactions with Spanish public administrations, tax authorities, and legal entities.

The NIE is required for virtually any significant legal or economic activity in Spain: signing an employment contract, opening a Spanish bank account, purchasing property, registering a vehicle, filing tax returns, or enrolling at a university. Without it, you cannot legally work or engage in financial transactions in Spain.

The NIE itself is just a number — you receive a certificate (certificado de NIE) which is not a photo ID. For actual identification purposes, you still use your passport or national ID card. EU citizens who plan to stay more than 3 months must also register in the Registro Central de Extranjeros and receive a certificate of EU-citizen registration.

/ Who needs this form?

Non-EU nationals who want to work in Spain (required before starting any job)
Anyone purchasing property in Spain, regardless of nationality
People opening a bank account in Spain
Self-employed persons (autónomos) registering their activity with the Agencia Tributaria
Students enrolling in Spanish universities who need to pay fees or receive grants
EU citizens staying in Spain for more than 3 months (different procedure — certificate of registration)

/ What you need before you start

Valid passport (original + photocopy of the data page)

One recent passport-sized photograph (35x45mm)

Completed Form EX-15 (available on the Interior Ministry website or at the police station)

Proof of the reason for your NIE application (job offer, property purchase contract, university admission, etc.)

Stamped Tasa 790-012 receipt — the fee (~€9.84 as of 2024) must be paid at a bank before your appointment

Proof of address in Spain (rental contract, hotel reservation, or host declaration)

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Reason for NIE

State your reason for requesting an NIE: employment, property purchase, self-employment, study, or other economic interest.

2 Personal Data

Fill in your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and current address in Spain.

3 Supporting Documents

Prepare: passport (original + copy), passport photo, proof of reason (e.g. job offer, property purchase contract), and Form EX-15.

4 Pay the Fee

Pay the tax fee (Tasa 790-012) at a bank before your appointment. Bring the stamped receipt.

5 Appointment at Police Station

Attend your appointment at the Comisaría de Policía Nacional with all documents. The NIE is usually issued the same day.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Nombre y apellidos (Full name)	Your full legal name exactly as it appears in your passport, in the format: First name / First surname / Second surname.	Using the wrong order — Spanish format lists apellidos (surnames) separately. Enter exactly as in your passport.
Motivo de la solicitud (Reason for application)	The specific reason you need the NIE: trabajo (work), compraventa (property purchase), estudios (study), etc.	Choosing a vague reason — be as specific as possible and match it to your supporting document.
Número de pasaporte (Passport number)	The number from the data page of your passport.	Using the machine-readable zone (MRZ) number instead of the passport number in the field.
Domicilio en España (Address in Spain)	Your current or intended address in Spain — a hotel, rental, or confirmed address.	Leaving this blank or using a foreign address — you must have a Spanish contact address.
Tasa 790-012 (Tax fee)	The concept code is 012. Pay at any Spanish bank before your appointment and bring the stamped receipt.	Going to the appointment without the stamped receipt — the police cannot process the application without it.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Going to the appointment without the Tasa 790-012 receipt — this is the most common reason applications are turned away.

Not booking a cita previa (appointment) in advance — you cannot go without one.

Bringing only photocopies without the originals — you need both.

Not having a clear and documented reason for the NIE — you must prove economic interest in Spain.

Confusing the NIE with the TIE — the NIE is just a number; the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a physical residency card for long-term non-EU residents.

EU citizens using the wrong form — EU nationals use a different process (certificado de registro) at the Oficina de Extranjería.

/ Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get the NIE?

If your documentation is complete, the NIE certificate is usually issued the same day as your appointment at the police station, within a few hours. Some offices take a few days.

Is the NIE the same as a residence permit?

No. The NIE is just an identification number. A residence permit (autorización de residencia) is a separate document that grants the right to live in Spain. Many people have an NIE but not a residence permit (e.g. property owners who are not residents).

Does the NIE expire?

The NIE number itself is permanent and never changes. However, the certificate issued may state a validity period — you can always request a new certificate with the same number.

Can I apply for an NIE before arriving in Spain?

In some cases, you can apply through the Spanish consulate in your home country. However, many consulates have limited NIE appointment availability, and it is often easier to apply once you are in Spain.

What is the difference between the NIE and the NIF?

The NIE is for foreign nationals. The NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal) is for Spanish citizens (it is the same as their DNI number). Both serve as the tax identification number — the NIE functions as the NIF for foreigners.