NIE - Numero de Identificación de Extranjeros

The "Número de Identificación Extranjeros" is your first step for living and working in Spain. You need a NIE to open a bank account, get a residencia, buy a home or a business, and a car. Everyone is entitled to this number, regardless of where they are from.

A NIE number is essentially a tax number for foreigners in Spain.

• You need one if you are going to buy a house or a car.
• You need one if you are going to work for a Spanish company.
• You need one if you are going to work self-employed.
• You need one if you want to apply for the "residencia" (residency card).

If you are an EU-citizen, you no longer have to apply for your NIE number separately. You will be given one when you register as a foreign resident.

Non-EU-citizens need to apply for an NIE number. To get one, you need to go to your nearest "Comisaria" (the police station for the national police force. Not the local police!), department "extranjeros"; or to the the "Oficina de Extranjeros". Ask for the documentation to complete and an appointment to present your documents. You will be told when to go back to pick up your NIE.

You will need to take your passport.
You will have to pay a small fee.
You will have your NIE number within 2-6 weeks of applying.

Download your NIE Application form

Adresses to get the NIE in Spain; see our section on: Oficinas de Extranjeria.

(Original Spanish Website: http://extranjeros.mtas.es/es/general/OficinasExtranjeros.html)

Have a question about applying for your NIE? Ask it in our Legal & Financial Spain Forum.