How to get a Spanish NIE Number in 2018

What is a Spanish NIE number anyways?

The Spanish NIE number, short for Número de Identificación de Extranjero, is a Foreigner Identification Number issued by the Administración General del Estado  (General Administration of the State) as a fiscal identification number for foreigners who want to stay more than 3 months in Spain, or in oder to be able to process certain transactions in Spain like buying a property. The equivalent of NIE for Spaniards is the NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal). The NIE number is different from the Empadronamiento or Padron Municipal which is about getting registered in your living community. The Spanish NIE number starts with a letter, followed by seven numbers and another letter in the end (example Y - 1234567 - B). Each NIE number is dedicated to one person and it is neither transferable nor does it expire.
It is worth remembering that a Spanish NIE is not the same as a TIE. EU citizens will need the NIE number only and can use their passport as identification whereas non-EU citizens will need a TIE (Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero) which is both a NIE and a form of identification.

Why it is important?

The Spanish NIE number is basically used as a code to serve people who don’t have Spanish Nationality. It is of essential for virtually every activity that requires your identification. Many people are not aware of the real importance of the NIE number. For example, your very first steps after moving to Barcelona, like opening a bank account and getting internet/phone contracts, will require a NIE.
A quick anecdote: One of our colleagues here at SuiteLife had just arrived to BCN and wanted to get Internet installed in his apartment. He spoke to most of the Internet companies and there was one that told him he could sign up without having a NIE. To make a long story short, after weeks of talking back and forth with the company, it turned out they were misinformed and he did indeed need a NIE number. Moral of the story is just get the thing! It'll make your life a lot easier. The Spanish NIE number is important for those who have a professional or economic interest in Spain, because for certain they must have a NIE in order to:

• Study in Spain
• Buy, sell or insure a property in Spain or purchase any asset over € 3,000
• Buy a vehicle in Spain
• Inheritance of assets in Spain
• Setup a company, start a business or simply work in Spain
• Pay Spanish taxes
• Apply for a mortgage or other loan in Spain
• Register for national Social Security Health plan
• Register with social services and arrange receipt of social security benefits
• Apply for a driving license

You can pay an agency to sort out all of your NIE documents for you but remember that, even if you give them power of attorney, you must be present on the day.

How to get a NIE number – Step by Step

Step 1: Fill in the application form

EU citizens: the Spanish NIE number application form you need to fill out is called EX - 18 Solicitud de inscripción en el Registro Central de Extranjeros_Residencia Ciudadano de la UE which you can download here Non-EU citizens: you need the EX-15 Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados which you can download here. Both forms are in Spanish, but don't worry because you've reached the right place. We have the EX-15 document with the most essential fields translated to English so you can refer to it (the EX-18 has the same vocabulary so you can easily compare the two).
This is sample image of our translation. For higher quality one, download the pdf version here If you are en EU citizen you should only need to fill out the EX-18, however, it is best to have both this form and the EX-15 ready and filled out as the documentation asked for can vary greatly. Likewise non-EU residents should bring both just to be safe. EU citizens you will also need the Modelo 790-012 which in 2017 MUST be filled in online, printed and brought to the appointment. You will then have to pay for the NIE at a nearby bank. Non-EU citizens will also have to pay but should be given a receipt at their appointment which you then take to a bank to pay.

Step 2: Make an appointment online

You have to make an appointment online first before coming in person; otherwise you will not be served. To do that, click on this link and choose “Acceder al Procedimiento” at the bottom.

• In PROVINCIAS DISPONIBLES choose Barcelona.
• In TRÁMITES DISPONIBLES PARA LA PROVINCIA SELECCIONADA choose Certificados UE (if you are from the European Union), or Expedicion de tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (heulla) if you are from overseas
• Click Aceptar
• Click Entrar
• Fill in your information:
  • Choose PASAPORTE and enter your passport number below
  • Nombre y apellidos = name and surname
  • País de nacionalidad = your nationality
  • In Caracteres enter what you see on the picture above
  • Click Aceptar

You MUST bring your printed appointment confirmation with you on the day. It can be a bit of  nightmare trying to get an appointment in the first place so we highly recommend looking to book an appointment as soon as possible - it took me nearly 3 months to get mine! TIP: try looking a little further afield if you can't find an appointment in the centre of Barcelona. I got mine in Sant Adria de Besós which is about 30 minutes on the metro from station Jaume I.

Step 3: Prepare all the necessary documents (checklist)

For EU citizens:

• Passport and copy
• Proof of address in Spain - your rental contract (in your name) would be sufficient
• Completed EX-18 form
• Completed Modelo 790
• Proof of health insurance - this can be private health insurance or an EHIC card
• Document* proving why you need a Spanish NIE number, which differs depending on your intentions. In most cases it is:
  • a contract showing that you’re going to buy a property in Spain like real estate, car, etc.
  • employed:  job contract from the Spanish company
  • self-employed: a company ownership certificate
  • persons with sufficient funds: proof that you can live in Spain without working
  • students: acceptance letter from the school plus proof of payment to the school
  • job seekers: you can go only with passport, but you will be issued a temporary NIE number valid only for 3 months
• Enough to pay the NIE fee (€10.71 at the time of writing)

*Any documents must be translated into Spanish or Catalán (unless they are official EU documents) and you must bring the original

For Non-EU citizens:

• Passport, Visa and copies
• Completed EX-15 form
• Empadronamiento - you will need to go to the town hall and register yourself as living in the area
• Non-EU citizens will need the additional proof of legal entry into Spain (for instance a landing card, known in Spanish as a declaración de entrada)
• Proof of health insurance
• Two passport size photos (check as this can vary from country to country - the Spanish size is called carnet)
• Document* proving why you need a Spanish NIE number which differs depending on your intentions. In most cases it is:
  • a contract showing that you're going to buy a property in Spain like real estate, car, etc.
  • employed:  job contract from the Spanish company
  • self-employed: a company ownership certificate
  • persons with sufficient funds: proof that you have enough funds to live in Spain without working
  • students: acceptance letter from the school plus proof of payment to the school
  • job seekers: you can go only with passport, but you will be issued a temporary NIE number valid only for 3 months

*Any documents must be translated into Spanish or Catalán and you must bring the original You can apply for NIE number at police stations with a Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigners Office). In Barcelona they are located on:

• Carrer de Balmes 192,  08006 Barcelona
• Rambla de Guipúscoa 74,  08020 Barcelona
• Carrer de Múrcia 42,  08027 Barcelona
• Passeig de Sant Joan 189,  08037 Barcelona

Opening hours:

• Monday to Thursday from 9h to 17h30
• Friday 9h to 14h
• Summer (June 16^th to September 15^th) from 9h to 14h

TIP: it is possible you will have to wait in queue hours until your turn at the office, so bring something that can keep you occupied for example a book or a magazine.

Step 5: Useful Spanish terms

Some simple Spanish phrases that you might need: Hello! I would like to apply for NIE number = Hola ! Me gustaría obtener mi número de identidad de extranjero (NIE) . Where can submit my NIE application? = ¿Dónde puedo inscribirme? I have an appointment to get my NIE = Tengo una cita para obtener mi número de identidad de extranjero (NIE).

Step 6: Keep calm and wait for it

All you lucky EU citizens will receive your NIE immediately however, non-EU citizens will have to wait. After submitting all the documents, a photocopy of the application, a paper indicating when the card is available (keep it safe, you will need to show it to them later when you pick up your NIE card) and your passport will be returned to you. Usually after two weeks the NIE card should be available to pick up, but the process can sometimes take as long as 6 weeks. So stay patient!

Apply for NIE number before you come to Barcelona

It is also possible to apply for Spanish NIE number before coming to Spain by contacting the Spanish consulate in your country. ------------------------------ Getting the NIE is no easy feat but with our guide you should be good to go! Remember, if you are applying outside of Barcelona, the required documents can vary so it is best to have copies of everything as well as the originals. And they can even vary inside Barcelona so don't be surprised if they ask you for other documents or only ask you for half of the documents above. I only needed my passport, a copy of my passport, the EX-18 and proof of my reason for needing a NIE but I know people who have been turned away for not having their proof of insurance! But its best to just bring copies and originals of everything you could possibly need rather than get turned away at the last moment; better safe than sorry! Beside this we also have many other helpful tips to make moving to Barcelona a piece of cake. Check it out Is there any other problem you have in Barcelona? Do tell us in the comments below, we would love to help! Peace! T.Vu