What is a NIE, why do I need one, and how do I get one?

Your NIE is your foreigners' identity number (Número de Identidad de Extranjeros). It is a 'personal postcode' which is unique to you and non-transferable. It stays the same forever and, if you live in Spain, does not expire.

Your NIE is not proof of residence in Spain. If you intend to live in Spain permanently, you will need to apply for residence. You can find out more about doing so in our article How to obtain residency in Spain: a comprehensive guide.

What a NIE is for if you live in Spain

Everyone who lives in Spain has an identity number. For Spanish nationals, this is a DNI (documento nacional de identidad, or national identity document). For foreigners, it is a NIE.

The NIE starts with an X, if you obtained it before July 2008, or a Y, if later. This is followed by seven numerical digits and a letter at the end. You will need to quote it on all types of official documentation. These include contracts, bank account details, and application forms. You will even need to provide your NIE when collecting registered mail or parcels.

A resident NIE may also be necessary if you plan to stay in Spain for longer than three months, but not permanently. This might include taking a job for a few months with a Spanish company, or on secondment with a company in your home country. It also applies to students.

If you plan to live in Spain, the process for getting a NIE depends upon whether you are a European Union (EU) citizen or non-EU citizen. EU citizens planning to live in Spain cannot 'just' get a NIE; they apply for residence and a NIE at the same time. For non-EU citizens, the two processes are separate.

What a NIE is for if you do not live in Spain

NIE numbers are needed by foreigners who do not live in Spain if they wish to carry out any transaction in Spain. This might include buying a holiday home or a property to let, or buying a car. It may also include opening a bank account for non-residents, or making an investment. You also need a NIE to open a business in Spain, even if you do not plan to live there once it is in operation.

Different types of NIE: Resident and non-resident

For people who are not citizens of the EU, there are two different types of NIE. These are a 'non-resident NIE' and a 'resident NIE'.

For EU citizens, the two different types are 'non-resident NIE' and 'Certificate of Registration'.

Non-resident NIEs (EU and non-EU citizens)

At present, non-EU citizens can only obtain a non-resident NIE for buying a property or setting up a business in Spain. No other purposes are currently considered valid.

EU citizens can get a non-resident NIE if they intend to be in Spain for less than three months. It is only necessary if they need to carry out legal transactions during this period. A non-resident NIE allows them to open a bank account, buy a property or car, start a business, or similar activities.

In both cases, a non-resident NIE is designed only for the purpose stated (such as buying a property). You cannot use it for other reasons, such as registering as self-employed, or registering with the Social Security to apply for a job.

A non-resident NIE expires after three months. If you need it for longer, you should make an appointment to renew it. You will not be given a new NIE number; a person only ever has one NIE for life, so your previous number will simply be reactivated.

Resident NIEs (non-EU citizens)

Non-EU citizens who wish to live in Spain should apply for a resident NIE. They must do this before they apply for legal residence in Spain. Once they have legal residence, non-EU citizens will receive a foreigners' identity card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjeros, or TIE). You can find out how to apply for this in our article TIE: What is it, who needs it, and how to get it.

NIEs (Certificates of Registration) for EU citizens resident in Spain

EU citizens planning to live in Spain must apply for a Certificate of Registration (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea). Often known as a 'green certificate', it provides proof of residence in Spain. It does not have a photograph, though, so it is not valid as identification (ID).

The process and requirements for a 'green certificate' are different from those of a non-resident NIE, or those of a resident NIE for non-EU citizens. You can find out how to apply for a Certificate of Registration in our article What is a 'green certificate', who needs it, and how do I get one?

Here's what you need to do to get each of these documents:

Getting a non-resident NIE (non-EU citizens)

If you are in Spain, you need to make an appointment at your nearest National Police station, or Comisaría. If you are not in Spain, you should make an appointment with the Spanish Consulate in your country. You can send a representative as long as they have a legal contract showing they are authorised to act on your behalf.

NIE number applications must be made in person. They cannot be presented by post or online. Appointments can sometimes be difficult to get quickly, so we recommend you allow at least one or two months.

You must provide proof of why you want to get a NIE. If you are in Spain, you should seek a carta notorial ('notary's letter') or acta de manifestaciones ('note of intentions') through a notary. If you are not in Spain, you should do this via the equivalent legal agent in your country. This document must be in Spanish. If it is not, you will need to seek a sworn legal translation of it, which must accompany it.

Documents needed for a non-resident NIE (non-EU citizens)

Once you have your appointment, you should take the following documents with you:

• Your original passport and photocopy of your passport. This must be valid (not expired), and must show that you have not exceeded the limit of 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen zone. If you have been in the Schengen zone for longer than the permitted 90 days, you are considered to be in Spain illegally. This means you will not be allowed a NIE.
• Completed EX15 form
• A bank receipt to prove you have paid the fee for your NIE application (currently €9.84)
• Your carta notarial or acta de manifestaciones as described above

Getting a non-resident NIE (EU citizens)

The process is very similar to that of a non-EU citizen, albeit much simpler. You should book an appointment as described above. You or your legal representative will then need to take the following documents:

• Your original passport or national identity (ID) card from your country of origin
• Photocopy of your passport or national identity (ID) card from your country of origin
• Completed EX-15 form
• A bank receipt to prove you have paid the fee for your NIE application (currently €9.84)
• Written details of the reason(s) why you need a NIE

EU citizens can still apply for a non-resident NIE or Certificate of Registration even if their passport or ID card has expired. They should provide a photocopy of the expired passport or ID card, and a copy of the application form to renew it.

Getting a resident NIE (non-EU citizens)

You need to make an appointment at your nearest National Police station, or Comisaría. You can arrange for a legal representative to apply on your behalf. This person must have a signed legal contract showing they are authorised to act on your behalf.

As explained in the above section for non-resident NIEs, all applications must be made in person. There is no option to apply online. Again, we recommend you allow at least one to two months to get an appointment.

Documents needed for a resident NIE (non-EU citizens)

Once you have your appointment, you should take the following documents with you:

• Your original passport and photocopy of your passport
• Completed EX-15 form
• A bank receipt to prove you have paid the fee for your NIE application (currently €9.84)
• Written details of the reason(s) why you need a NIE

How long does it take to get a NIE?

If you or your legal representative attend the National Police station in person, you will be given your NIE number the same day. It will only take longer than this if there is a problem with your documents. If you apply via the Spanish Consulate in your country, your NIE will arrive in the post within one week.

Some people may be confused about the different documents needed for living in Spain. For clarification, you may find it helpful to read our article What is the difference between Residencia, padrón, NIE and TIE?