 The aliens identification number (NIE) is a personal sequential number (issued in order) that is unique and exclusive and assigned to foreigners in the following situations by the General Department of Police. The number is assigned officially in the first two cases and at the request of the interested party in the third case:

1. Those obtaining any kind of stay extension or document that enables them to remain on Spanish territory.
2. Those involved in an administrative record by virtue of the provisions laid down in legislation governing aliens.
3. Those who, for economic, professional or social interests, hold relations with Spain.

 Given the privileged system for the permanence and residency of European Union citizens in Spain, the general way in which they obtain their NIE is by applying for it when they hold relations with Spain as a result of their economic, professional or social interests.

 The NIE is the number that identifies the European citizen in Spain and must appear on all the documents that are issued or processed, as well as on all the application forms addressed to the administration and on a significant number of documents by and between private entities (banks, insurance companies, etc.).

 However, the NIE does not replace, but rather complements, the documentation the European Union citizen must always carry in Spain for identification purposes, such as the following:

o National ID document.

o Passport. Both issued by the authorities of his/her country of origin and duly in force.

o Optionally, but highly recommended, the Spanish residency card, which is not compulsory but does enable proceedings with regard to private entities.
 

What do I need the NIE for?

 The NIE is essential for a large number of actions and proceedings in Spain, which means that it should be applied for as soon as possible. The main utilities given to the NIE, without which they could not be carried out, are as follows:

 Housing
o Buying or selling a home.
o Signing a mortgage loan.
o Property register and Notaries Public Offices.

 Administration
o Local: census; certificates of occupancy of the home; property tax; vehicle tax; capital gains; works licences, business opening licences, etc.
o Justice: civil register, free legal assistance, etc.
o Health: health care card.

 Social security
o Obtaining a social security number.
o Applying for services from the INEM (Spanish employment institute).
o Exportation of unemployment benefits from a Member State of the European Economic Space.

 Economic relations
o Opening an account in a bank.
o Setting up a business or enterprise.
o Settling state and regional taxes: Income tax for non-residents (IRNR); corporate tax (IS); value-added tax (IVA, VAT); inheritance and gift tax (ISD), etc.

 Others
o Buying a vehicle.
o Driving licence.
o Schools for minors, academic studies or university studies.
o Approval and certification of titles and studies.
o Grants and subsidies for studies.
o Electricity and water supply contracts.
 

Where and how can I apply for the NIE?

 You can apply for the NIE once you are in Spain or in your country of origin through the corresponding Spanish consulate.

In Spain

 If you decide to apply for the NIE in Spain, you should do so at the police station nearest to your home.

 You will need to complete the EX-14 form, which can be collected at the aliens office or downloaded above.

 The aforementioned EX-14 form requires the following information:

o Passport number.
o Personal details (first name, surname(s), place of birth, etc.).
o Address in Spain, where applicable, or address in your country.
o Address for notification purposes.
o The reason why the document is being applied for: economic, professional or social. In addition, exact details must be given of why the NIE is necessary, identifying the Administration, entity or individual that requires it, providing the corresponding documentary proof.

 The original and one copy of the following documentation must be provided with the form:
o Passport, national ID document in force in your country.
o Documentation certifying the need for obtaining the NIE (administrative form, bank form, etc.).
o In the case of relatives of a European Union citizen, whose nationality is that of a non-Member State of the EU or the European Economic Space, the Community residency card must be applied for first.

 The application can be made in Spain through a representative, who must certify his/her power of representation by means of a general or special power formalised before a notary public, and the documentation showing the reason why the application is being made for the NIE must also be presented. The person must also include his/her details on the application (EX-14 form) and sign it. In any case, it is best to present the application personally, even though you are accompanied by your adviser, since this avoids expense and possible identification problems.

 Both the application or form and the certificate bearing the identification number are free of charge as far as the Administration is concerned.

 Once the NIE application has been made, the certificate will be delivered to the interested party in person in the approximate term of two weeks.

In the country of origin

 If you decide to apply for the NIE from outside Spain, you must personally visit the corresponding Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of residence.

 You must also present the EX-14 form, which must be signed in the presence of the Spanish officers. The form is not available at the embassy or consulate and must be downloaded from the aforementioned webpage.

 You must also provide your current passport. The officers will make a copy of the passport and legalise it and you will have to pay the fee corresponding to the legalisation.

 In principle, as citizens of the European Union, you do not have to present the documents that justify the NIE application, although it is recommendable for them to be included.

All the above must be presented in an envelope addressed to
Comisaría General de Extranjería y Documentación
Dirección General de la Policía
Calle General Pardiñas 90,
28006 Madrid

 The embassy or consulate will not issue the NIE, they will simply process your application to the Dirección General d la Policía (General Department of Police) in Spain. Consequently, they will not be able to provide you with any information about the status of your application. If you have any query, you must address the Comisaría General de Extranjería y Documentación (General Department of Aliens and Documentation).
 

Reference legislation

 Act 4/2000, of 11 January, governing the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration.

 Royal Decree 2393/2004, of 30 December, which adopts the regulations of Organic Statute 4/2000.

 Royal Decree 178/2003, of 14 February, governing the entry and permanence in Spain of nationals from Member States of the European Union and other states subscribing to the agreement on the European Economic Space.

Offices and registers

General Department of Aliens and Documentation, General Department of Police
C/ General Pardiñas 90. C.P. 28006 Madrid. Tel. 913226824/913226826
Open to the public from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 14:00
For when the application is made outside Spain.