An NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the main tax and identification number assigned to foreign nationals who handle financial, legal, or professional matters in Spain. If you’re buying property, opening a resident bank account, signing an employment contract, setting up a company, or registering for municipal utilities, you’ll need an NIE.
Last verified: August 17, 2026. We confirmed the official fees and administrative procedures through the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (Dirección General de la Policía) and the Sede Electrónica de Administraciones Públicas.
The Difference Between NIE, TIE, and EU Green Certificate
Newcomers often confuse the NIE number, the physical TIE card, and the EU Registration Certificate. An NIE is simply your personal tax number, and it stays assigned to you permanently. On its own, though, it doesn’t give you legal residency rights.
| Document Type | Applicable Population | Physical Format | Purpose & Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| White NIE Certificate | Non-residents and visa applicants | A4 White Paper Document | Assigns permanent NIE number for economic transactions; valid for 3 months for administrative submissions. |
| TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) | Non-EU citizens residing >6 months | Biometric Plastic Card | Proves legal residency and underlying visa permit (Digital Nomad, NLV, Golden Visa). |
| EU Registration Certificate | EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens | Green Paper Card (Certificado Verde) | Confirms registration on Central Register of Foreigners; issued with permanent NIE. |
Step-by-Step NIE Application Procedure in Spain
If you’re in Spain as a tourist or temporary visitor, you can apply for an NIE at a designated National Police station (Comisaría de Policía) or Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería).
- Complete Form EX-15: Download and complete the official Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados (Formulario EX-15) in Spanish. In Section 4, clearly explain your economic, professional, or social reason for applying, such as Compra de inmueble or Constitución de empresa.
- Generate and Pay Fee Form Modelo 790 (Código 012): Use the Police fee generation portal online and select Asignación de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) a instancia del interesado. Print the triplicated form, then pay the statutory €9.84 fee at a commercial bank or ATM in Spain.
- Book a Cita Previa Appointment: Go to the official Sede Electrónica portal (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html), choose your province, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, or Málaga, and select POLICIA – ASIGNACION DE NIE.
- Attend the Appointment with Required Documentation: Bring your original valid passport, a complete photocopy of every passport page, the completed EX-15, the bank-stamped Modelo 790 payment receipt, and documents that support your reason for applying. These might include a property arras contract, notary letter, or pre-contract.
Applying for an NIE from Abroad via Spanish Consulates
Non-residents who need an NIE before they arrive in Spain, including people buying real estate or accepting an inheritance, can apply through the consular section of the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in their country of legal residence. Processing usually takes between 2 and 4 weeks, and the consulate sends the resulting certificate digitally as a PDF.
Essential Relocation and Legal Guides
It’s worth coordinating your NIE application with these related Spanish administrative and relocation steps:
- Buying Property in Spain — Step-by-step conveyancing, notary deeds, and regional ITP transfer taxes.
- Spain Digital Nomad Visa & Beckham Law — Income criteria, remote work requirements, and 24% flat tax registration.
- Non-Lucrative Visa Guide — IPREM financial benchmarks (€28,800/year) and consular application routes.
- Empadronamiento in Madrid — Registering your residential address on the municipal town hall census.