NIE / NIF Registration

What is an NIE number and why do I need one?

In Spain you cannot legally buy property, a house, car, boat etc without having applied to the police for your NIE number and had your NIE documentation returned. Likewise, you cannot enter into a contract for the supply of electricity, water or a telephone line etc without giving your NIE/NIF number together with your bank details because these services will only accept clients whose bills are paid automatically from a bank. Neither can you arrange an insurance policy or order goods or services, sign on for the National Social Security, Health Service or commence a job without showing your NIE number.

The Decree (Real Decreto 338-1990) of 9th March establishes that everyone, of whatever nationality, resident or not, who has any "official business" in Spain, must have a fiscal number (NIF/NIE) which is used to identify them on all official documents.

What is the difference between an NIE and NIF number?

People often talk about or ask for your NIE or NIF number. In actuality they are the same. The NIE is used for confirming your identification whereas, if you wish to carry out any fiscal function such as opening a bank account, buy a property, car, boat etc it is referred to as an NIF (fiscal) number. Application requirement and the document issued are the same.

Do I have to apply to the police personally for an NIE? Normally, yes, but...

It is now accepted that where applicants find difficulty in attending a Spanish National Police Station personally, they may apply through a solicitor (abogado); to do so they must give the solicitor their full Power of Attorney (POA) and complete NIE form ex14/R.D.2393/2004 ensuring they complete section 4.

Solicitor Assistance. For such services a solicitor normally charges 130 Euros or more. Alternatively, if you wish to apply yourself but need assistance translating the NIE form at the police station, an interpretor will normally charge 30/40 Euros per hour for their services; one hour should be enough.

I find that having an NIE number works well and is no imposition whatsoever.

Applying for your NIE number

How difficult is it to apply by ones self?

There are only 3 problems:-

Standing in a queue at the Police station to obtain a form
Understanding enough Spanish to complete the form correctly
Standing in the queue a second time to present the form

Items 1 &3 are just annoying time wasters and rarely take more than an hour each time. Arriving at the Police Station soon after 8am seems to help.

To overcome the waiting problems I suggest the following:

Order an English translation of the Spanish NIE form which can be completed at home, together with a personal contact should you have difficulty at a total cost of Ł7.50.

You will receive the English translation together with instructions how to complete the NIE form.
It will show you how to apply for the NIE and which documents you need to take with you.
It will also show you how you can apply via a Spanish Consulate office in your own country.
Included is an NIE form that you can print off for each member of your family or friends to complete.

Note: each person must complete their own form and then sign it at the police station. Alternatively, your solicitor can complete the form and make the application for you.

Included within this advice is an English translation of the much changed new Spanish Traffic laws, implemented from 1st July 2006. Keeping on the right side of the police can save a lot of aggravation and heavy fines

Ordering an NIE application form together with English translation

Complete the following form. A Paypal invoice for Ł7.50 will be emailed to you. You do not need a Paypal account to use this. On receipt of payment, the NIE English translation, NIE application form and completion instructions will be emailed to you, together with the complementary translation of the new Spanish traffic laws.
Note: the police make no charge when you apply at the police station for your NIE.

If you have any queries on this or any other subject relating to your move to Spain, call me on my UK number, 0844 734 4154 (it is redirected to Spain but charged as a UK local rate call.)

You can ask about getting the best currency transfer rates, about a Spanish bank that makes no interest charges for receiving your funds in Spain, about tax advice and many other areas for home buyers.

All such advice is given freely.

Applying for your NIE number when in Spain

Go to your local National Police Station and ask for an application form. If you don't speak/read Spanish it is advisable to be accompanied by someone who does. Alternatively you can collect an application form to take away for completion but that will entail waiting in the queue on a second visit. Take with you:-

Your Passport
A photocopy of your passport
Two coloured passport size photographs

You must give a Spanish address of your residence in Spain. It can be a friend's property so long as they will accept the responsibility for you as living with them and to notify you of any communications received.
Remember to notify your change of address when you are settled into your final home.

Take Note! Processing your application takes a minimum of one week or as long as 5 weeks.

Caution! You will often be asked to show your NIE registration document at the various ministries etc. Always carry photocopies but never allow anyone to retain your original.

NIF for Non-Resident Owners of more than one Spanish property

Non-resident taxpayers who own more than one permanent Spanish property must appoint a fiscal representative in Spain to act on their behalf on all dealings with the Spanish Tax Office called (Delegacion de Hacienda). The applicant must first attend a Spanish Consulate office in his home country where he must present his passport together with photocopies of all key pages, these copies must then be certified by the consulate.

In Spain the appointed fiscal representative must go to the police and present these certified photocopies together with a signed authorisation to act as the applicant's representative. He/She go through the normal process of applying for an NIF number for the applicant. Once issued this NIF number must be used in all dealings with the Spanish Tax Office on behalf of the applicant.