What Is the NIE?
The Número de Identificación de Extranjero, better known as the NIE, is the master key for foreigners living, investing or working in Spain. Without this personal tax number you cannot buy property, open a bank account, sign an employment contract or register a startup. This long-form guide explains what the NIE is, why you need it, how EU citizens and third-country nationals can secure it and how we can streamline the process for you.
Why you cannot live in Spain without a NIE
- purchase or sale of real estate in any part of Spain
- payment of income tax, capital gains and municipal charges to the AEAT tax agency
- opening current or savings accounts, signing mortgage agreements, investing in Spanish funds
- enrolment in the Seguridad Social system for healthcare and pensions
- incorporation of a limited company, freelance registration as autónomo, application for state grants
- connecting electricity, water, gas, internet or mobile phone contracts
- inheritance, donations, civil marriage, litigation or arbitration procedures
Technical structure of the NIE
The NIE format combines an initial letter, seven digits and a check letter at the end. The sequence once started with X, Y, Z, but since 2023 new initials have been introduced, so the first letter no longer reveals the applicant category. Your number stays with you for life, even if you move from a student permit to a work visa or finally obtain Spanish citizenship.
Legal framework and recent reforms
The main legal reference is Organic Law 4/2000 and the updated implementing regulation dated 6 November 2024. The latest decree shortened the statutory processing time for EX-15 applications to five working days and officially endorsed full online filing through the Mercurio platform for holders of a Spanish digital certificate or those represented by an authorised gestoría.
How European Union citizens obtain a NIE
1. Staying longer than 90 days (form EX-18)
- book a Cita Previa at the local Oficina de Extranjería
- complete the EX-18 form in Spanish
- provide passport, photocopy and proof of means: work contract, bank statement or private health insurance
- pay the 12.00 euro fee using form 790-012 (Certificado de registro)
- collect the green residence certificate containing your NIE on the same day
2. Not staying in Spain (form EX-15)
- file at the Spanish consulate in your home country or in Spain at a police station
- fill out EX-15 explaining your economic reason: property purchase, company formation, long-term lease
- pay the 9.84 euro fee (Asignación de NIE) using form 790-012
- processing time: officially up to five working days, often same day in smaller provinces
How third-country nationals obtain a NIE
| Scenario | Method of assignment |
|---|---|
| You hold a national visa (study, work, digital nomad) | NIE printed directly on your visa vignette |
| You are issued a TIE residence card | the number is repeated on the plastic document |
| You need a one-off number for property or investment before a visa | file EX-15 with the same documents as EU applicants, plus sworn translations if required |
Since March 2025 Spanish consulates in Latin America and Asia allow EX-15 appointments via digital queueing, slashing waiting times from months to mere weeks.
Step-by-step EX-15 checklist
- Enter the official Cita Previa portal, choose province and service Asignación de NIE.
- Download the latest EX-15, print single sided, complete in block capitals.
- Fill in form 790-012, tick Asignación de NIE, pay 9.84 euros online or at any bank branch.
- Gather supportive evidence: preliminary property purchase contract (arras), notary letter, Spanish job offer, corporate invitation.
- Attend your appointment, provide biometrics, sign the police register.
- Receive a printed NIE immediately or a secured PDF via email within days.
Fees, hidden charges and tips to save money
Official fees remain low, but some banks introduced cash handling surcharges. Pay digitally through CaixaBankNow or BBVA Net Cash to avoid a two-euro counter fee. Gestoría service packages start at 90 euros and include paperwork, translations and representation.
Average waiting times by city
- Madrid: Cita Previa available in 15-18 days, certificate issued same day
- Barcelona: three-week queue, but instant issuance once you attend
- Valencia & Alicante: slots in one week, result in two days
- Malaga: high digital nomad demand, booking up to one month, yet office prints within two hours
Frequent applicant mistakes
- selecting the wrong 790-012 box: use Asignación de NIE (EX-15) or Certificado UE (EX-18)
- submitting passports without sworn translations in Madrid for certain Asian countries
- mobile browsers failing to load calendar dates; switch to desktop mode for reliable scheduling
- ignoring bank stamps: police desks sometimes reject photocopies without the original stamp
FAQ
How long does a NIE remain valid?
Permanently. When you renew your visa or receive Spanish citizenship, the number never changes.
Can I renew my EU certificate online?
Replacement prints can be requested in the electronic office if you hold Cl@ve Permanente, yet a quick visit to the station is often faster.
What if I lose the NIE sheet?
Book a duplicate certificate appointment, pay the fee again and obtain an official copy; it has the same legal value as the original.
Conclusion
Having a NIE unlocks Spanish property deals, banking, taxes and entrepreneurship. Secure your number early to negotiate confidently, sign contracts within hours and enjoy favourable startup incentives.