Among the administrative procedures to be carried out during an expatriation in Spain, obtaining the NIE is one of the most important. Indeed, the Foreign Identity Number (NIE) is a unique and personal identification number that is mandatory when registering as a foreign resident living in Spain. Without this NIE number it will be impossible for you to rent an apartment, open a bank account, find a job or even take out subscriptions. In short, the NIE is a mandatory step as an expat in Spain. How do I get it ? What documents are needed ? I am Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I am going to tell you all about the NIE in Spain.

What is the NIE ?

The NIE is the “Numero de Identidad de Extranjero”, or in English the foreigner's identity number, and it is made up of two letters interspersed with seven digits. It is not an identity document because it does not include a photo or signature, but it is a compulsory registration number to be able to carry out all the other administrative procedures and acts of everyday life in Spain :

· Bank account

· Employment contract

· Social Security number

· Rental agreement

· Service subscriptions (internet, telephone, electricity, etc.)

If you want to settle in Spain for more than 3 months then you will also have the obligation to apply for the Certificado de registro de ciudadano. European citizens who stay in Spain for a period of less than 3 months can simply apply for a provisional non-resident NIE, for example the time to carry out administrative procedures in Spain (real estate purchase).

How to get a NIE in Spain ?

Here are the steps to follow in order to obtain a NIE in Spain :

Request an appointment online ;
Prepare the documents ;
Go to the appointment ;
Pay the tax ;
Get your NIE.

The NIE is asked in person, usually at a police station in your place of residence. The first step is therefore to make an appointment online. Do not try to go there without an appointment : you risk being poorly received.

Here is the link to the page to make an appointment to obtain his NIE : https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html

The first step is to select the city of residence, or at least the region you depend on.

On the next page in the drop-down menus you should select “Policia-Certificados y asignacion NIE”, which is the service for obtaining the NIE.

Be careful because the times to obtain an appointment are sometimes very long (two months), it is better to anticipate and request the appointment for your NIE before arriving in Spain. A trick well known to expats is to log in in the morning at 9 a.m. in order to have access to the last available slots.

Also, each appointment is nominative, that is to say that it will be necessary to make as many appointments as there are family members concerned by the NIE request.

Before going to the NIE meeting, you will need to prepare documents to present.

List of documents to obtain your NIE in Spain:

Original and photocopy of the valid national identity card or passport ;
Supporting documents for your application for residence in Spain: employment contract and employer's certificate of coverage by Social Security or registration in the “censo de actividades” for entrepreneurs, university registration certificate for students , or proof of sufficient income to reside in Spain without working ;
EX-18 form completed and signed in duplicate (EX-15 for the non-resident NIE). The form is available by clicking here ;
Completed Form 790 code 012, to download by clicking here . Tip, you must put your identity card or passport number in the NIE / NIF box, and tick the box “Asignación de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) a instancia del interesado”.
Proof of the appointment that you will receive by email.

The next step is to get to the long-awaited meeting and present the requested documents and forms. Rest assured, this service is dedicated to foreigners and will be trained to understand you and make you understood. If everything is in order, then you can pay the tax.

Form 790 code 012 is the document that justifies your payment of the fee for your NIE application. You can pay this tax (around 15 euros) in any bank, cooperative or savings bank, by simply presenting the form stamped by the Police. You will then receive a receipt for the amount paid.

Finally, all you have to do is return to your NIE application office to present the receipt, and you can collect your NIE. This is final (if you are a resident) and you can therefore communicate it to organizations and individuals who ask you for it.