Questions and answers
- No trip to Spain for the application.
The NIE is your personal identification number as a foreigner in Spain. You need it for almost anything legal or tax-related: buying property, opening a bank account, inheritance, buying a car, an employment contract, self-employment and even electricity, internet and phone contracts.
No. You sign a power of attorney at a notary near you (or online). With it, we attend the appointment at the Spanish police for you and apply for the NIE in your name.
The apostille confirms that your notarised signature is genuine for authorities abroad. In the UK, it is issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office. Alternatively, you can get notarisation and apostille done online via video call through our partner notarity.
No. For the application we use your address in your home country. It also appears in the power of attorney.
With our standard service it takes 5 working days on average from receipt of your certified power of attorney. With our express service you get your NIE within 48 working hours. Processing times also depend on appointment availability at the authorities.
Yes. You receive the official NIE certificate as a PDF. It contains a CSV code that any bank, notary or authority can use to verify it online. If you like, we also send you the original by post.
The government fee (Tasa 790-012) is around €10. With spainmate you pay a fixed price from €299 including forms, a bilingual power of attorney and attending the appointment in Spain. We explain how the costs add up in our guide to costs and processing time.
Yes, at the Spanish Consulates General in London and Edinburgh. You need an appointment, which is often only available weeks later, and processing usually takes several more weeks afterwards. All the details are in our consulate guide.
Your NIE number stays the same for life. We simply apply for a new certificate for you. Select “Other” as the reason in the application and enter your existing number.
Yes, for example for an inheritance, a gift or school registration. The application is then made by the parents or legal guardians.
The NIE is the number. The TIE is a plastic card for non-EU citizens living in Spain – including UK nationals since Brexit. EU citizens moving to Spain receive the green “Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE” instead – also showing their NIE. Read more in our guide.
Common situations
NIE while in Spain
The same number, whether you are in Spain or not.
NIE for non-EU citizens
The number for the passport, not the visa.
Residencia
The green EU certificate is a different application from the NIE.
TIE card
The card with fingerprints. The NIE is only the number on it.
Spain visa
The consulate decides the stay. We apply for the number.
Appointment support
You do not go along. We file the application with a power of attorney.
For companies
NIF, a Spanish S.L. or autónomo. Three paths, three applications.