How to get the NIE in Spain: complete guide 2026
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the tax number that Spain assigns to any foreign citizen with economic, professional or social interests in the country. Its format is X-1234567-A (or Y/Z followed by seven digits and a check letter) and it is issued by the Dirección General de la Policía.
It is not a residence permit or an identity document. It is simply your identification number before the Spanish Tax Agency and any public or private body in Spain. Without it you cannot buy a property, open a bank account, accept an inheritance or set up a company in Spain.
Who needs the NIE
The regulations (Royal Decree 557/2011, art. 206) require any foreigner who, by reason of their economic, professional or social interests, has dealings with Spain to obtain an NIE. In practice this includes:
- Buyers of housing or any property on Spanish territory.
- Heirs of assets located in Spain, even if they live in another country.
- Employees or self-employed workers who will carry out activity in Spain.
- Investors, partners or directors of Spanish companies.
- People who need to open a Spanish bank account, take out insurance or sign a lease.
Three ways to obtain the NIE
1. In person with an appointment in Spain
You attend a Foreigners' Office or a Police Station with jurisdiction over foreign nationals. You need an appointment, which is requested through the electronic portal of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es).
The problem: in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga, appointments run out within minutes and new dates may take weeks to appear. If you have an ongoing property purchase with earnest money deadlines, this route may not be viable.
2. At the Spanish consulate in your country of residence
You can apply for the NIE at any Spanish consulate abroad. The process is the same, but the timeframes are longer: between 3 and 6 weeks from application to resolution, depending on the consulate.
3. Through a representative with a notarial power of attorney
If you cannot travel to Spain or wait for consulate deadlines, you can grant a power of attorney to a representative to process the NIE on your behalf. The power must be specific to this procedure. At Notaría Online we handle the power of attorney remotely and coordinate NIE processing with specialist agents.
Required documents
Regardless of which route you choose, you will need:
- Form EX-15 (NIE application), completed and signed. It can be downloaded free from the Ministry of Inclusion website.
- Passport original and a full photocopy.
- Fee 790, code 012, paid. The amount in 2026 is 9.84 euros. It is paid using form 790 at any Spanish bank or by transfer from abroad.
- Proof of the reason you need the NIE: earnest money contract, inheritance deed, employment contract, investment certificate, etc.
- If a representative acts on your behalf: original apostilled power of attorney and translated (if applicable), plus a photocopy of the applicant's passport.
Step-by-step process (in-person route)
1. Request an appointment on the electronic portal. Select the province and the procedure "EU Certificates" or "NIE Assignment" depending on your nationality (EU or non-EU).
2. Pay fee 790 code 012 before attending the appointment. You can download the payment form from the Ministry of Finance electronic portal.
3. Attend the appointment with the completed EX-15 form, original passport and copy, proof of fee payment and supporting documentation for the reason.
4. At the office they verify the documentation, take your details and assign the NIE. In many offices you receive the certificate on the spot. In others, you receive a resolution to collect after a few days.
Step-by-step process (consulate route)
1. Contact the Spanish consulate in your country to request an appointment. Some consulates allow online booking, others only by telephone.
2. Prepare the same documentation: EX-15, passport, fee 012 (some consulates accept payment in local currency) and proof of the reason.
3. Attend the appointment at the consulate. You submit the documentation and receive a receipt.
4. The consulate forwards the application to the Dirección General de la Policía in Spain. The resolution takes between 3 and 6 weeks. The consulate will notify you when you can collect your NIE certificate.
Step-by-step process (representative with power of attorney)
1. Grant a special power of attorney for obtaining the NIE. If you are outside Spain, the power is signed before a local notary and apostilled (Hague Convention). If the document is not in Spanish, it will need a sworn translation.
2. Send the original apostilled power of attorney and a photocopy of your passport to the representative in Spain.
3. The representative requests an appointment, pays fee 012 and submits the documentation at the foreigners' office.
4. You receive the NIE certificate within the usual timeframe of 1 to 3 weeks.
At Notaría Online we handle the power of attorney by video conference and coordinate the entire procedure with agents in Spain, so you do not need to travel at any point.
How long it takes to obtain the NIE
Actual timeframes in 2026 are:
- In person in Spain: between 1 and 3 weeks (including waiting time for an appointment).
- Spanish consulate abroad: between 3 and 6 weeks from the appointment.
- Representative with power of attorney: between 1 and 3 weeks once the representative has the power of attorney. Granting the power takes an additional 2-5 days.
Prices: official fee and management services
The official fee (form 790, code 012) is 9.84 euros in 2026. This amount is set by Order PRE/1743/2014 and is updated periodically.
If you hire a management service to process the NIE for you, typical market prices are:
- NIE with power of attorney service: €150 + VAT (cost of the power of attorney not included).
- NIE without power of attorney through the firm: €180 + VAT.
- Power of attorney from outside Spain: €420 (no VAT). Includes drafting, certified copy of passport and apostille coordination.
Check the updated prices on our NIE processing page.
NIE vs TIE: they are not the same thing
A common mix-up. The NIE is a tax number. It is assigned once and does not expire. The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a physical card that certifies legal residency status in Spain: it has a photo, biometric data and an expiry date.
If you only need to buy property, accept an inheritance or set up a company, the NIE is enough. You need the TIE if you are going to reside in Spain. For more details, read our article on the difference between NIE and TIE.
Common mistakes when applying for the NIE
Not paying the fee before the appointment. Fee 790 must be paid before attending the office. If you arrive without proof of payment, they will turn you away and you will lose the appointment.
Incomplete or incorrect EX-15 form. Check that the name matches your passport exactly, including middle names and surnames. A single letter error can lead to rejection.
Not providing proof of the reason. The NIE application requires evidence of an economic, professional or social interest in Spain. Simply saying "I want to have an NIE" is not enough. Bring an earnest money contract, company letter, inheritance deed or any document that justifies your need.
Generic power of attorney. If you process the NIE through a representative, the power must be specific to obtaining the NIE. A general power for administrative matters may not be accepted at all offices.
Not apostilling the power of attorney. If the power is granted outside Spain, it must carry the Hague Apostille to be valid. Without the apostille, the foreigners' office will reject it.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NIE expire once assigned? No. The NIE number is permanent. The certificate (the paper that proves it) may expire, but the number itself never changes.
Can I have an NIE without living in Spain? Yes. The NIE is independent of residency. Thousands of foreigners have an NIE without ever having lived in Spain, because they needed it for a property purchase, an inheritance or an investment.
Does my minor child need an NIE? If the child is going to own property or inherit assets in Spain, yes, they need their own NIE. Parents or legal guardians can apply on their behalf.
If you have questions about your particular case, contact Notaría Online. We will tell you what documentation you need and guide you through the entire process.