What is a Spanish NIE number ?
The Spanish NIE number, short for Número de Identificación de Extranjero, is a Foreigner Identification Number issued by the Administración General del Estado (General Administration of the State) as a fiscal identification number for foreigners who want to stay more than 3 months in Spain, or in order to be able to process certain transactions in Spain like buying a property. The equivalent of NIE for Spaniards is the NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal).
The NIE number is different from the Empadronamiento or Padron Municipal which is about getting registered in your living community.
The Spanish NIE number starts with a letter, followed by seven numbers and another letter in the end (example X – 1234567 – B). Each NIE number is dedicated to one person and it is neither transferable nor does it expire.
In Timeshare
The number is required in the event that the transaction you are entering into in excess of €3,000.00 euros
Why it is Important?
The Spanish NIE number is basically used as a code to serve people who don’t have Spanish Nationality. It is of essential for virtually every activity that requires your identification. Many people are not aware of the real importance of the NIE number. For example, your very first steps after moving to Barcelona, like opening a bank account and getting internet/phone contracts, will require a NIE.
The Spanish NIE number is important for those who have a professional or economic interest in Spain, because for certain they must have a NIE in order to and amongst other things:-
- Buy, sell or insure a property in Spain or purchase any asset over € 3,000
- Inheritance of assets in Spain
- Apply for a mortgage or other loan in Spain
How to get NIE number Step by Step
Step 1: Fill in the Application Form
The Spanish NIE number application form you need to find is called EX – 15 Solicitud de Numero de Identidad de Extranjero NIE y Cert
The actual form is in Spanish.
Step 2: Prepare all the Necessary Documents
- Passport and copy of all pages
- Address in Spain
- Completed EX-15 formula
- 2 recent Passport photos
- Document proving why you need a Spanish NIE number, which differs depending on your intentions. In most cases it is:
- a contract showing that you’re going to buy/sell a property in Spain like real estate, car, etc. or
- non-EU citizens will need the additional proof of legal entry into Spain (for instance a landing card, known in Spanish as a declaración de entrada)
- NIE application fee 10,40 euros (rate in 2014)
Step 3: Go to the authorized office where to apply for NIE number
You can apply for NIE number at police stations with a Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigners Office).
Step 5: Useful Spanish terms
Some simple Spanish phrases that you might need:
Hello! I would like to apply for NIE number =Hola ! Me gustaría obtener mi número de identidad de extranjero (NIE).
Where can submit my NIE application?= Dónde puedo inscribirme?
I have an appointment to get my NIE=Tengo una cita para obtener mi número de identidad de extranjero (NIE).
Step 6: Keep calm and wait for it
After submitting all the documents, a photocopy of the application, a paper indicating when the card is available (keep it safe, you will need to show it to them later when you pick up your NIE card) and your passport will be returned to you. Usually after two weeks the NIE card should be available to pick up, but the process can sometimes take as long as 6 weeks. So stay patient!
Apply for NIE number in your Home Country
It is also possible to apply for Spanish NIE number before coming to Spain, either by asking the Spanish consulate in your country or using a specialised agency of which many are available online, and the fees vary as well. But since you have read our guide, getting it all on your own won’t be such a pain. It’s not so complicated, right?
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk