How the procedure works
What an NIE is and what it is not
NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a personal identification number for foreign nationals in Spain. You need it for any action that leaves a trace in the system: buying property, signing contracts, opening a bank account, taking up employment, studying, handling an inheritance. That said, an NIE on its own grants neither the right to reside nor the right to work — it is a number, not a status. People routinely confuse it with the TIE resident card, and that confusion costs real time.
Where and how to obtain it
The number is assigned by the National Police. The application is submitted on Form EX-15 at a police station or foreigners’ office, or — if you are outside Spain — through a Spanish consulate. The fee is paid using Model 790-012; at the time of writing it is around ten euros. Under the regulations, a decision must be issued within five working days of the application being registered — that is the authority’s own deadline.
Why you are asked to justify the request
The number is not issued ’just in case’: your application must state an economic, professional or social reason you need it. A vague ’for a future purchase’ without supporting evidence is rejected far more often than a specific ’deposit under a purchase agreement — copy attached.’
What we need from you
- International passport and a copy of the personal data page
- Completed form EX-15
- Paid duty under form 790-012
- Document confirming the reason for the request: contract, invitation, job offer
- If applying through a representative — a notarized power of attorney
What is holding the case up
- The reason for the request is stated in vague terms and is not supported by any evidence
- No available appointment for submission — in large cities this is the main source of delays
- The applicant expects residence rights from the NIE: those are granted through a different procedure
- The power of attorney was issued without an apostille or without a certified translation
- Name spelling errors: any discrepancy with the passport will need to be corrected separately
The procedure and fee amounts have been verified August 15, 2026 according to official sources: National Police: assignment of NIE on application by the person concerned. Fees and exemptions are reviewed periodically — check before you apply with the primary source.