How to get a Spanish NIE Number

NIE stands for “Numero de Identificación de Extranjero”, which translates to Foreign Identification Number. It’s a Spanish Identification Number for EU foreigners who live in Spain, and it’s the equivalent to the NIF (Numero de Idenitifcacion Fiscal or DNI), held by Spanish Nationals.

You will normally be asked for your NIE to complete official transactions in Spain such as:

• Signing a house lease/rental agreement
• Getting a phone number
• Opening a bank account
• Registering to national healthcare
• Paying taxes
• To name a few

So, in essence the NIE is your identification number while living in Spain. When you get it assigned, the will give you a paper card you can use as proof, kind of like a national ID.

The format of the NIE will typically start with a Letter, followed by 7 numbers, and a final letter after a dash. You should expect it to look something like A1234567-B

What if I’m not an EU citizen?

Non-EU foreigners living in Spain can also get an Identification Number, called TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), which translates to Foreign Identity Card.

Yes, as an EU national, you are required to register with the Government as a foreigner living in Spain within 90 days of arriving in the country with the intent to live, work or study in Spain. Once you register with the Government, they will automatically assign you a NIE.

Having your NIE will also make it much easier to sort out your housing, bank account, local phone number, and other things necessary for every-day life in Spain. So, if you’ve just moved, or are relocating in the upcoming month, you should start applying as soon as you can. If you need help, our team can take care of this for you. You can book a Free Consultation to learn more.

Getting a NIE is commonly known as a painful process, due to the shortage in NIE appointments and the amount of admin that needs to be done to make the application. To make it simpler, let’s break it down into steps:

Step 1: Book an Appointment in your city via the Government website The first hurdle you’ll have to overcome is finding an available appointment in your city. These are often full, and it can take time to find an available slot, which is why it’s so important to start the process early. The type of appointment you need may vary depending on your residence status, length and reason for moving to Spain. Speak to one of our Advisors if you’re not sure which one you need.

Step 2: Fill in the tax form and pay the allocated fee at a bank Once you have secured your appointment, you’ll need to pay the administrative fee for your application. To do so, you’ll need to:
1) Fill in the Tax Form with your information, which will depend on the type of application/appointment you need (Step 1)
2) Print the completed form and take it to a bank to pay the allocated fee. The most common fee is €12, but it may vary depending on the type of application you make.
3) After paying the fee, the bank will give you a stamped document that you will need to take to your appointment.


Step 3: Fill in the application form Next, you’ll need to fill in the application form as a foreigner living in Spain. The form and answers you select will depend on your nationality, status and reason for moving to Spain.

Step 4: Attend your appointment in person with all the necessary documents Finally the time has come to attend your appointment. You will need to take with you all the following items:
1) Appointment Confirmation Code, which you would have received to your email and phone number when you secured your slot.
2) The Application form completed with your details
3) The stamped fee document from the bank
4) Your Passport
5) Additional documents to support your application. This can be your employment contract, for example, if you’re moving to Spain for work.


Step 5: Obtain your NIE At the end of your appointment, you’ll be given your NIE in a green paper card. It’s a little fragile, so make sure to keep it safe when you receive it.

We know that doing all this Admin only to get your NIE is not easy for a foreigner who’s just arrived in Spain, especially if they don’t speak Spanish. That’s why we have a dedicated team of bi-lingual specialists (Spanish and English speaking) who can help you get your NIE. If you work with us, we’ll:

• Help you understand what kind of application you need to make
• We book your NIE Appointment on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about finding an available slot (We know all the tricks!)
• We help you fill in the application forms in Spanish - We will translate the form for you and explain what each section means
• We guide you every step of the way, so you always know what you need to do next