Obtaining a Spanish NIE number: FAQ

One of the first questions you will ask yourself when you move over to Spain is exactly this: what is the NIE number? A NIE number is a tax identification number for foreigners which identifies you before the Spanish Tax Office and allows you to file and pay taxes in Spain.

Any activity in Spain that requires you, as a non-resident, to pay taxes will require filling in your NIE number. A NIE number does not preclude your tax residency. Some examples of what the NIE is needed for are as follows:

• Buying & selling property.
• Renting out property.
• Connecting your property to utilities.
• Inheriting assets in Spain.
• Opening a bank account.
• Taking out insurance.
• Importing/buying/selling a car.
• Importing/buying/selling a boat.
• Working in Spain (short-term jobs under 3 months only)
• Studying in Spain.
• Claiming benefits.
• Obtaining a mortgage or any other type of personal loan.
• Can be used to enrol in a town hall census.
• Some elite private foreign schools require a NIE number from parents and/or new (foreign) pupils to enrol them

• Any foreigner who becomes resident in Spain for tax purposes.
• Any non-resident who plans to own assets in Spain i.e. real estate, car, boat etc.
• Any foreigner who plans to work, study or start a business in Spain. 

A NIE number is issued by the National police on a standard A4 size piece of paper which also has your name, surname, date of birth and nationality. Example: X-12345678-Y.

1. Apply abroad in person, through a Spanish consulate in your home country.
2. Apply in person in Spain before a Spanish National Police station or Oficina de Extranjería.
3. Apply by representative. You can appoint a law firm to act on your behalf as proxy using a Power of Attorney specific to NIE numbers.

• Passport.
• Fill in the relevant application form in Spanish.
• Pay the administration fee.
• Justification on why you need it e.g. private sales contract