What is a Spanish N.I.E Number?

N.I.E. means Numero Identificacion Extranjero (Tax Identification Number for Foreigners in Spain), and it is needed for everything that involves an official process in Spain, such as: buying property, working in Spain, buying a car, contracting electricity and water, getting a telephone line, filing tax returns, starting a business, etc. It is basically a tax number so that the tax authorities can identify an individual when they wish to carry out any economic or financial activity in Spain.

Each individual must have a NIE number. Once you get one, it remains the same forever. It will never change.

If you are thinking of buying a property in Spain, the first step would be to get your NIE Certificate with your Identification number.

This NIE Certificate is compulsory when buying a property and when paying the transfer taxes. It will be requested by the Public Notary and the Land Registry. Therefore, you will need an NIE number before you can complete the purchase (in time for the signing of the Purchase deeds before the notary). Without it, you cannot purchase a property.

It is also required to pay any future taxes in Spain. The Spanish tax authorities are unable to process or accept annual tax payments without an NIE number.

Who needs an NIE in Spain?

Any non-resident foreigner who buys property in Spain or decides to become resident in Spain must obtain an NIE number.

How to apply for an NIE number?

There are three ways to apply for a Spanish NIE number:

  1. Apply in person in Spain at a Spanish police station.
  2. Apply in person via a Spanish Consulate abroad.
  3. Apply through a representative (your lawyer) in Spain.

The application process is not complicated. It is just a matter of preparing the necessary official forms and documentation and then getting an appointment at the National Police Station (Comisaría de Policía) in the area where you are buying your property.

You can also apply for your NIE certificate from Spanish Consulates or Embassies around the world if you are outside of Spain or you do not have the time to apply whilst you are in Spain.

The following
documentation is required:

  • Ex-15 application form filled out and signed.

  • Stamp duty tax forms duly paid (around 10 euros).

  • An original document (plus a photocopy) that justifies your reason for applying for an NIE number.

  • Your original passport and a photocopy of the main photo page of your passport. It is essential that passport be valid (not expired).

After you have submitted your NIE application you will be given an official receipt. Then. In a few days (approx. 1 week), you can return to collect your NIE Certificate.

We think that the best option is to authorise a third party to obtain your NIE number on your behalf. This is the easiest way to get your NIE number in Spain. You will save time and money, avoiding Spanish bureaucracy and long queues at police offices.

You can authorise a third party (normally your solicitor) to apply and obtain an NIE number on your behalf. This representative takes care of the whole application procedure.

To enable them to do this on your behalf you would need to sign a Power of Attorney in front of a Notary, expressly granting permission to request an NIE number. With this power of attorney and a Notarised copy of your passport, your solicitor will be able to get your NIE number for you.

If you need assistance for applying and getting your NIE number in Spain please do not hesitate to contact Nerja Solicitors.

Residence
in Spain – TIE

If you are thinking about moving to Spain permanently to live or retire here, you will have to apply for Spanish residency.

Although the information given is correct at the time of publication, please be aware that regulations are currently very changeable due to Brexit, Covid, etc. (especially for British Citizens), therefore it may be updated in the future. Please also note that requirements for residence vary depending on nationality. European Union citizens (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) have no problem when applying for residency because of the European Union.

Citizens from other countries (USA, China, etc) have more problems in obtaining residency. It is important to realise that the application procedure to obtain Spanish residency varies between European Union and non-European Union citizens.

If you are from the United Kingdom, the requirements, and steps to be taken since Brexit are not fully defined yet.
There is a new special Spanish residency process for British citizens.

You must distinguish between:

  • European Union citizens – get a green card with full name and address, but no photo.

  • Non-European Union citizens –get an Identity card with all your personal details as well as a passport sized photo.

  • It is also essential to know that it is not possible to apply for Spanish residency using a power of attorney. Applicants must be present for their appointment at the National Police Station.

Our recommendation is clear; as it is an important document and quite complicated, stop reading conflicting and misleading information on the Internet and plan your Spanish residency using Nerja Solicitors.

If you would like us to assist you, please contact us for an initial free informative meeting without any commitment from you.

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mail@nerjasolicitors.com

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