Who needs an NIE in Spain?

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the tax identification number that Spain assigns to any foreign person who needs to carry out a financial or legal transaction in the country. It is issued by the Dirección General de la Policía (National Police).

You need it to: buy or sell property, sign an employment contract, open a bank account, accept an inheritance, set up a company, or pay taxes. It is not a residence permit and does not authorise you to work.

The official NIE fee (form 790, code 012) is €9.84.

If you use a management service like ours, the prices are:

• NIE with our power of attorney service: €150 + VAT. You use our power of attorney drafting service (cost of the power of attorney not included).
• NIE without power of attorney through our firm: €180 + VAT.
• Power of attorney from outside Spain: €420 (no VAT, as the signing takes place outside Spanish territory), includes certified copy of passport and apostille coordination.

Yes, there are two ways. First: apply at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence, although processing times are usually 3 to 6 weeks. Second: through a representative in Spain with a specific power of attorney.

In the second case, you sign the power of attorney before a local notary, have it apostilled, and send it to Spain. Your representative submits the application at the foreigners' office and collects the NIE. At Notaría Online we manage this entire process.

The required documents are:

• Valid passport.
• Proof of the reason for the application (purchase contract, deed, inheritance certificate, employment contract, etc.).
• Form EX-15 (the official application).
• Fee 790 code 012 paid.

If you apply for the NIE through a representative, you also need a specific power of attorney. If that power of attorney is signed outside Spain, it must bear a Hague Apostille or consular legalisation depending on the country.

It depends on the route:

• In person in Spain with an appointment: between 1 and 3 weeks from when you get the appointment.
• At a Spanish consulate abroad: 3 to 6 weeks.
• With a representative and power of attorney (our service): between 1 and 3 weeks, depending on appointment availability at the foreigners' office.

The most time-consuming step is getting the appointment, especially in Madrid and Barcelona.

No. The NIE number, once assigned, is permanent and does not expire. What can expire is the paper certificate (the green document that proves it), especially if it is linked to a temporary residence authorisation.

But the number itself lasts forever. If you lose the certificate or it expires, you can request a duplicate.