What is the NIE?

14th April 2023 · 6 min. read

NIE stands for “Número de Identificación del Extranjero” (Foreigner’s Identification Number). This is a document  issued by the General Directorate of the Spanish Police and is an essential identification to access legal institutional services and Spanish bureaucracy in general. A NIE itself, doesn’t imply the granting of a residence permit, is simply an identification number for main administrative procedures. If you plan on spending more than 90 days in Spain, applying for this document is essential.

Owning a NIE it becomes actually mandatory for those who, for professional, economic or social reasons are foreigners and  have to be identified in Spain, especially when it comes to fiscal matters. Each NIE is a personal, unique, non-transferable number. It can sometimes remain unchanged without expiration, depending on the purpose at the time of request. In many cases it can also expire.

Each NIE identifies one person only, and among the process related to numerous official documents, this specific document one of the requirements associated with the purchase of a home.

Is possible to apply for a NIE either personally or through a representative, as well as via diplomatic/consular channels. For a better understanding, a NIE is recognisable because it consists in one initial letter, followed by seven numbers ending with a final letter. For example: Z6665551-B.

As we pointed out already, holding a NIE will be essential for many administrative matters in Spain.

The most frequent and important procedures are:

• Buying, selling or insuring a property.
• Opening a bank account.
• Applying for loans and mortgages.
• Paying taxes in Spain.
• Paying utility bills.
• Applying for a business permit in order to start a business.
• Being issued a payroll and getting paid as a salaried employee in a company.
• Applying for a job at an employment agency.
• Studying or attending at the university.
• Registering with the social security and managing the receipt of the benefits of the system (benefits, retirement, unemployment…).
• Registering, obtaining or transferring a driving licence obtained abroad.
• Buying or selling a vehicle.
• Inheriting movable and immovable property.
• Applying for a Residence Permit.
• Many others.

 

There are 4 basic ones:

1. Proof of online appointment. This is mainly obtained through this website.
2. Official application form. It must be duly completed and signed by the foreign person requesting it. In the following link you will find all the available forms that may be needed depending on the circumstances. There’s a variety of options, but the most common is Form EX15.
3. Proof of payment for the Tax Model 790, Code 012 of the Ministry of the Interior.
4. Copy and Original of your passport or identity document that officially identifies you.

It is important to know, applicants are asked to communicate the cause/reason of the request. In addition, if the request is made to the police by a legal representative, he/she must be properly accredited as the person carrying the procedure. Whenever a translation of any document is required, it must be processed in official way.

The requested tax to pay is fairly small. Depending on different circumstances, it can go between 12 to 22 euros approximately. Payment can be made in cash or through a direct debit.

NIE applications are presented at The General Directorate of the Police, to the Immigration Offices or to the Police Stations of the locality of your stay or interest. If you are not in the country, the best would be going to the Spanish Consular Offices present abroad.

In case you don’t feel confident with your level of Spanish, to avoid inconveniences, you can consult with one of the many agencies so they can process this documentation. As Costa del Sol Christies International Real Estate we can advise you in case you intend to buy a luxury property in Marbella and surroundings while still not owning a NIE.

Obtaining a NIE as a non-resident, in order to buy a house, can be done either from Spain or from your country of origin. The first step is to demonstrate having a legitimate reason for applying and buying a house is sufficient proof.

As demonstration one of this circumstances has to be presented:

• A contract of deposit (signed with the seller).
• A notarial deed declaring the “express will to purchase” a property.

It goes without saying, just a warning, in order to request a NIE, you cannot be in an irregular status in Spain because it would obviously be a crime. You must enter the country through the official borders and with the corresponding verifications. In addition, application for NIE must accur within the 90-day period of visiting as a tourist, which is the legal limit.

With either of these two documentary proofs, you can go to any police station in Spain (after making an appointment) providing

• Complete passport and copy.
• Application form EX-15.
• Payment of fees Form 790.
• Deposit contract or notarial deed.

The document is handed over by a police officer in around 5 days after the aplication, if everything is correct and in order. Please bare in mind, it is not a residence card and does not give permission to reside in Spain. It is important to underline that, if you plan to spend more than 180 days out of the year in Spain, you must process additional documents because, among other aspects, it is compulsory to pay taxes in the country.

It is not possible to finalize the purchase or sale of a property in Spanish territory without owning a NIE document. Therefore, is important to calculate well the deadlines to obtain it. The best, would be starting the procedure as soon as possible in case you don’t have it yet.

In conclusion, your NIE is essential when buying or selling a house, because there are tax settlements and income taxes involved as part of the transaction. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us.