1. Expired validity date of your identification document.

It sounds like an open door, but in the rush of an emigration or purchase, this is often overlooked.

• The mistake: making an appointment while your passport or ID card is about to expire or has already expired;

• The inexorable rule: Spanish police will not accept identification documents that are valid for less than 6 months on the day of the appointment. Even if your passport is still valid for a month, you will usually be refused immediately;

• The solution: check the expiration date of your documents well before your Cita Previa. Do you need to apply for a new passport? Then do so first, as the number on your new passport is different from your old one, which in turn can cause confusion in your EX-15 form.

2. Errors in the forms (EX-15 & 790).

The Spanish official is keen on details. If your forms don’t match up to the letter, the process stops immediately.

• Names that do not exactly match: your name on the form must be 100% identical to the one in your passport. This means including all first names, accents and any double surnames;

• Wrong boxes checked: on the EX-15 form, you must specifically indicate whether you are a resident (resident) or non-resident. Choosing the wrong category is a classic reason for rejection;

• Outdated PDFs: never use old forms downloaded from random websites. Use only the most recent versions that comply with current legislation.

3. The ‘black ink’ and corrections

Sometimes an application is rejected on details that are nowhere official on a website, but in practice make all the difference.

• The color of the pen: many offices only accept forms filled out with black ink. Blue ink can cause problems when scanning, which is reason enough for an official to reject the form;

• No correction fluid: don’t use Tipp-Ex. Made a mistake? Start over on a blank form. A form with corrections is immediately labeled “invalid.

4. The Why question: flawed justification.

Applying for an NIE just in case is not enough these days. You must have a concrete, documented reason for your application.

• Vague motivation: a description such as business interests is too vague for the Spanish tax authorities. Be specific and write, for example: Purchase of property at address X;

• Insufficient evidence: make sure you have official documents with you that support your reason. Think of a (preliminary) sales contract, documents surrounding an inheritance or an official letter from the bank for a mortgage application.

5. Translations and the Apostille trap

Are you getting documents from the Netherlands, Belgium or the UK to serve as evidence? Then pay attention to the international rules.

• Sworn translations: documents that are not in Spanish often need to be translated by a sworn translator(Traductor Jurado);

• The Hague Apostille: official documents from abroad require an apostille from the court. Without this international stamp, the document is not legally valid in Spain.

6. Errors in (making an) appointment (Cita Previa).

Without the proper appointment, you won’t even enter the police station or the Extranjería.

• Wrong appointment type: when booking online, many people mistakenly choose TIE (for non-EU citizens) instead of Asignación de NIE. In that case, you are sent straight home;

• The printed confirmation: Although we live in a digital age, many offices still require a printed version of your appointment confirmation. A screenshot on your phone is often not accepted.

7. Issues of legitimacy and proxies.

• Forgot copies: you should carry not only your original passport or ID card, but also clear copies. To be sure, bring two copies of all pages, including the blank pages if you are from the United Kingdom;

• Foreign power of attorney: do you let someone else do the application? Dutch or Belgian powers of attorney are increasingly refused, even with an apostille. A Spanish notarized power of attorney is absolutely preferred these days.

8. The payment error(Modelo 790-012).

This is perhaps the most common mistake made: the payment of dues(tasa).

• No physical stamp: an online bank transfer through an app is not valid. You must physically go to a bank with the Modelo 790-012 form to pay. Without the bank’s physical stamp on the form, the document is worthless to the police;

• Limited opening hours: note that many Spanish banks only accept these payments on certain mornings, or only for their own customers.

9. Timing and the false start at the bank

The payment of the dues(Modelo 790) is the stumbling block for many on which the entire planning is stalled.

• The banking dilemma: You can’t pay the dues at the police. Because banks often have limited hours for “non-customers,” you need to arrange this well in advance of your appointment;

• The ATM hack: many modern ATMs let you scan the bar code of your 790 form to pay. Keep the printed receipt as well as the form safe; this is your only valid proof.

10. What to do if rejected (plan B).

Even with the best preparation, an official can have a bad day.

• Ask for the reason: don’t just be turned away. Politely ask for the specific reason for rejection(¿Cuál es el motivo exacto de la denegación?). Sometimes only one copy is missing that you can quickly arrange locally.

• The ‘Gestor’ as an emergency exit: if you find yourself stuck in bureaucracy, call in a professional gestor or lawyer. They know the nuances at local offices in Dénia, Torrevieja or Alicante.

Overview of common mistakes and solutions