NIE Numbers

Information on NIE Numbers for Inland Spain and Costa Del Sol

An NIE number (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is effectively a tax number for foreigners (the equivalent of a Spanish persons NIF).

You must apply for an NIE number if you are buying a property in Spain, planning on working in Spain, setting up a bank account, applying for an EU Residents Certificate and for most financial transactions.

Once you have applied for your NIE number, you will probably have to wait at least 1 month or even more so try and apply for your NIE number as soon as possible.

To apply for an NIE number please visit your nearest National Police office. It is usually best to get there for 9am, if not 30 mins or 1 hour before to ensure you can be seen and avoid a wasted trip. At Marbella and Fuengirola police stations people are usually queuing from 8am or even 7am and shortly before 9am the first x number of people (usually 50 or 100 people) will get a numbered ticket meaning that they will be seen that day. If you speak some Spanish or are well prepared then we would advise going to Malaga police station since the queues are much smaller, the police station is open longer and also waiting times to receive NIE numbers are generally less.

You will require the following documentation to apply for an NIE number:

• NIE Number Application Form (EX 14), available from National Police Office or here - Download NIE Number Application Form - (Original + 1 Copy)
• Applicant's Passport (Original + 1 Copy)

To download a copy of the NIE application form click here - Download NIE Application Form or alternatively visit the Spanish Interior Ministry website and download it from there - NIE Number Application Form EX 14