What is an NIE number?

The NIE(Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a personal, unique and exclusive identification number assigned to foreigners by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

• Identification equivalent: for Dutch people, it is similar to the BSN (Burgerservicenummer). For Belgians, it is equivalent to the National Register Number. Internationally and for Britons, it is recognized as the Spanish TIN(Tax Identification Number);

• Valid for life: once assigned, the number remains valid for your entire life. It never changes, regardless of whether your status changes from tourist to resident;

• No residence permit: important to know is that a NIE number identifies you to the administration, but it does not give you an automatic right to live or work in Spain.

When is an NIE number required?

You need a NIE number for almost any legal, financial or administrative action in Spain.

Real estate and finance

• Purchase or sale: you cannot buy, sell or inherit a property in Spain without an NIE number;

• Mortgage: banks require an NIE number to provide financing;

• Bank account: the NIE number is required to open a Spanish bank account.

Daily life and administration

• Utilities: contracts for water, electricity and internet;

• Vehicles: registering, buying or insuring a car or boat on Spanish license plates;

• Employment and study: for receiving a salary, starting a business or enrolling in an educational institution;

• Taxes: for all tax returns and payments to the Spanish tax authorities

The 2 types of applicants

Spanish law makes a strict distinction based on the reason and duration of your stay:

1. Non-Residents (stay < 90 days): for persons who do not live permanently in Spain, but have economic, professional or social interests, such as the purchase of a vacation home;

2. Residents (stay > 90 days): EU citizens who settle permanently. They must register in the register for European citizens at the Foreigners Office(Oficina de Extranjería) .. During this procedure, they are automatically assigned a NIE number.

How and where do you apply for the NIE number?

There are three official routes to start the procedure:

1. Procedure through the Spanish Consulate

Applying for a NIE number before departure is a sensible step for those who already want to complete the paperwork. However, the procedure differs depending on your current residence and nationality.

For the Netherlands and Belgium

In these regions, applicants use the Spanish Consulate General in Amsterdam or the consular section in Brussels.

• Restriction: this route is only for persons residing in Spain for less than three months (non-residents) who have economic, professional or social interests in Spain;

• Identification: you can identify yourself with an original and valid passport or national identity card (plus copy);

• Procedure: personal attendance is required after making an online appointment through the consulate’s official link;

• Proof of residence: you must be able to prove your current residence in the Netherlands or Belgium, for example, with an extract from the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP), a local driver’s license or a health insurance card;

• Delivery time: the number is usually emailed within two weeks of the appointment.

For the United Kingdom (UK)

Since Brexit, British citizens are treated as non-EU nationals, which affects the burden of proof at British consulates (such as in London, Manchester or Edinburgh):

• Tax Identification Number (TIN): for Britons, the NIE number is internationally recognized as their Spanish TIN, which is necessary for cross-border banking transactions and tax matters;

• Tightened burden of proof: UK applicants must explicitly prove what financial or professional connection they have to Spain (for example, a signed purchase contract or proof of inheritance);

• Identification: Britons must present an original valid passport (original plus copies). Copies of passports must often be complete, including blank pages, depending on local consular requirements;

• TIE card: note that British citizens moving to Spain for residency must apply for a TIE card (residence permit), with the NIE number automatically assigned as part of that procedure;

• Appointment and costs: as with EU citizens, a prior appointment(cita previa) is required and the fee for an initial award is around €9.84 to €12.00, depending on the specific application.

Please note that the consulate cannot reduce the processing time, since the actual assignment of the number is done by the General Commissariat of Immigration in Spain.

2. Directly in Spain (Police or Extranjería).

This is the route for those who are already in Spain or want to arrange the purchase directly there.

• Cita Previa: an online reserved appointment is mandatory through the national portal for the Policía Nacional or the Oficina de Extranjería;

• Waiting times: consider varying wait times that can be as long as 4 to 8 weeks in busy provinces.

Tip: In regions such as Alicante and Dénia, new time slots are often released on Monday morning between 08:00 and 09:00. The website is entirely in Spanish and slots are often given up within minutes. In a hurry? Sometimes it pays to look in a less busy province or enlist the help of a gestor.

• Locations on the Costa Blanca: The province of Alicante has several offices, each with their own waiting times and specializations.

• Major offices in our region:

  • Dénia: Calle Castell D´Olimbroi n.º 5;

  • Benidorm: Calle Apolo XI n.º 36;

  • Torrevieja: Calle Architeco Larramendi n.º 3;

  • Alicante: Calle Ebanistería n.º 6 or Calle Campo de Mirra n.º 6.

• List of official addresses: For an up-to-date list of all police stations, check the Policía Nacional’s online locator.

Note! In the locator, always check that the office of your choice has “Certificados y asignación de NIE” listed among the available duties. This is because not every small police station can assign new numbers.

3. Through a trustee (lawyer or gestor)

The application may be submitted through a duly accredited representative. By providing an official power of attorney, an expert can arrange the application on your behalf, avoiding language barriers and red tape.

Required documentation and costs

Spanish bureaucracy is strict; a missing copy or an incomplete form often leads to immediate denial of the application.

Specific to the Netherlands and Belgium

• Form EX-15: the standard application form, fully completed in Spanish;

• Identification: a valid passport or national ID card (original + copy of biometric data or front and back);

• Proof of Residence: proof that you live in the Netherlands or Belgium, such as an extract from the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP), a local driver’s license or a health insurance card;

• Proof of Reason: documentation proving economic, professional or social reason, such as a (preliminary) contract of purchase of a home or documents surrounding an inheritance;

• Tasa (Dues): proof of payment of Form 790, code 012.. In 2026, the fee for the first award is €9.84 (in accordance with Order PJC/617/2025).

Specific to the United Kingdom (UK).

• Form EX-15: the official application form in Spanish;

• Passport requirements: as non-EU citizens, Britons must present a valid passport (original + full copy). Please note that some consulates require copies of ALL pages, including blank pages;

• Tightened Burden of Proof: due to status as a non-EU national, economic ties to Spain (such as a real estate transaction) must be very explicitly demonstrated with official documents;

• Dues: the proof of payment of model 790 .. The cost of an NIE application can vary between €9.84 and €12.00 for non-EU citizens, depending on the type of application (TIE or NIE).

Question & answer (FAQ)