MémoriaIn this guide
What the NIE is, and what it isn’t
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a tax identification number issued to foreign nationals in Spain. It is a number, not a residence permit. It gives you no right to live in Spain and proves nothing beyond the fact that you exist on the administration’s records.
That is exactly why you can get one before you have even set foot in the country: because it isn’t a right of residence, you can apply from abroad, at the Spanish consulate in the country where you currently live.
Don’t confuse it with two other documents:
- the EU citizen registration certificate (the “green NIE”), which confirms that you live in Spain and, unlike the NIE, requires you to be physically present in the country;
- the TIE, a physical card reserved for non-EU nationals.
Why apply before you leave
Most people only find out the NIE exists once they have arrived, when a bank, a notary or a mobile phone provider asks for it. That is when the hunt for an appointment in Spain begins, and slots there are counted in weeks.
Applying from your home country changes the whole sequence of your move. With an NIE in hand on the day you land, you can:
- open a Spanish bank account straight away, rather than waiting for weeks;
- sign a tenancy agreement or a property purchase contract without getting stuck;
- put electricity, gas and broadband in your own name as soon as you get the keys;
- start a business or an employment contract with no dead time.
Hardly anyone knows about this route. Yet it is the difference between a smooth move and six weeks of knock-on delays, where every step is waiting on the one before it.
The documents you’ll need
Requirements vary slightly from one consulate to another, but the core is consistent:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Form EX-15 | Completed and signed. This is the NIE application form. |
| Valid passport | Original plus a full photocopy. |
| Proof of your reason | The deciding factor — see below. |
| Paid 790-012 fee | Stamped proof of payment. |
Proof of your reason: what gets you accepted or refused
The Spanish administration does not issue NIEs “just in case”. You need to show an economic, professional or social reason. In practice, that might be:
- a job offer or a Spanish employment contract;
- a property purchase contract or a reservation agreement;
- a plan to set up a company or work as a self-employed professional;
- a university enrolment;
- a documented relocation plan (a signed tenancy agreement, for example).
A vague, undocumented reason is the number one cause of refusal. A reason set out in writing, dated and backed by a supporting document, goes through.
The 790-012 fee, the step that trips everyone up
The fee form is generated online on the Spanish National Police website, by selecting the heading that corresponds to the issue of an NIE. The form produces a PDF for you to print.
Then it has to be paid, and this is where things get complicated from abroad: the fee is normally paid at a Spanish bank, which stamps the form. From your home country, there are two options depending on the consulate: paying directly at the consulate, or paying by bank transfer following the consulate’s instructions.
Always check with your consulate before generating the fee form: both the payment method and the exact amount. This is what varies most from one consular office to another, and a fee paid the wrong way is generally not refunded.
Once you have your NIE
You will receive an A4 document showing your number. Keep it safe: there is no card, and that number will follow you throughout your administrative life in Spain.
There is one subtlety, though, that many people discover too late: an NIE obtained at a consulate sometimes carries a validity period. The number remains valid for life, but some banks may treat the document as expired. If you are moving for the long term, you will in any case need to apply for the EU citizen registration certificate (the green NIE) within three months of arriving — and that one does require you to be in Spain.
The five most common mistakes
- Waiting until you’re in Spain. The wait for an appointment locally is in a different league from that at a consulate.
- An undocumented reason. “I’m planning to move” isn’t enough; a tenancy agreement, a purchase contract or a job offer is.
- Choosing the wrong heading on the fee form. Form 790-012 covers several procedures; ticking the wrong box invalidates the payment.
- Confusing the NIE with the residence certificate. Having the first does not exempt you from the second if you are settling in Spain.
- Not planning for translations. Some foreign supporting documents need to be translated, or even apostilled. That takes weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for an NIE for my partner or children?
Everyone needs their own NIE, including children under 18 if they are involved in a financial transaction. For a minor, the application is made by their legal guardian, with proof of the parent–child relationship.
Does the NIE expire?
The number is assigned for life. The paper document, however, may carry a date; some organisations will then ask for a recent document or for the registration certificate.
Do I need an NIE to buy property?
Yes. No Spanish notary can complete a purchase without the buyer’s NIE.
How long does it take?
It depends entirely on the consulate and the time of year. Allow several weeks between booking the appointment and receiving the document. That is why you should start as soon as your move starts to take shape, not a month before you leave.
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Book a free call Relocating an employee?Guide updated on 21 October 2026 — Spanish administrative rules change; check the critical points before acting.