Everything you need to know about the NIE Number in Spain!

Are you going to work in Spain soon? Awesome! Chances are you are already preparing for this adventure.

Don't forget that you also need to arrange several things upon arrival, including a NIE number. We can already hear you thinking: What is a NIE number? Why do I need this? And where can I apply for it? We will tell you all about that in this blog!

What is a NIE number?

In Spain, every Spaniard and foreigner who is going to work in Spain has a Spanish tax number, or NIE number (Numero de Identification de Extranjeros).

Do I have to apply for a NIE number? 

Even if I have a European passport and a social security number in my country? The answer is: yes. A NIE number is required by law when you live and work in Spain for more than three months. Without a NIE number, you cannot legally work, receive a salary, rent a house, open a Spanish account, pay taxes, buy a car in Spain, or take out a mobile subscription. By now, you must be wondering what applying for a NIE number costs. Let us reassure you in advance the price is not that bad! Applying for a NIE number is only €9.84 .

Where do I apply for my NIE number when I start working in Spain?

You can apply for a NIE number at a police station in Spain in the municipality where you will be working. You will need to make an appointment in advance. You can schedule an appointment via this link. 

However, this website is in Spanish! So, we have prepared the steps you can follow to make an appointment without any problems.

Steps for applying for a NIE number

Step 1: Click on the province where you will live, for example Valencia, Barcelona or Madrid. 

Step 2: Then click on Aceptar to continue. 

Step 3: Select the location where you want to apply for your NIE number.

Step 4: Select Policia-Certificados Y Asignacion NIE and click on Aceptar again. 

Step 5: You will then be taken to a page that lists all the documents you need to bring to your appointment. Click on Entrar.

These are the documents you need to bring to your appointment:

• Confirmation of appointment (we will discuss this in the next steps)
• Passport or identity card (original and copy)
• The form EX15 (Modelos generales) in duplicate, you can find this form here.
• The form MODELO 790 CODIGO 012: filled in and stamped by the bank. You must also bring the proof of payment (we will explain this in the next steps)
   

Step 6: Click on Entrar. 

Step 7: Tick Pasaporte/Documento de identidad. Enter your document number from your passport or identity card in the bar next to it. Then enter your first and last name at Nombre y apellidos, as it appears on your passport. After that, click on Aceptar.

Step 8: The next step is to make an appointment. Click on Solicitar cita to make an appointment. Sometimes, no appointments are available (No hay suficientes citas disponibles). In that case, you will be asked to try again later. TIP: try again on a Monday morning around 08:00 because that's when new appointments are usually scheduled!

If appointments are available, choose the date you want, enter your phone number, e-mail address and reason for the appointment (Solicitud NIE) and click siguiente.

Step 9: You will be taken to a page where you need to confirm your appointment. To confirm your appointment, tick the following boxes:

• Estoy conforme con la informacion mostrada en pantalla
• Deseo recibir un correo electronico con los datos de mi cita
   

Next, click Confirmar.

Now you will come to a page with the confirmation of your appointment. It is very important that you print this page. You need to take this confirmation with you to your appointment.

Step 10: Before you can go to the police station, you need to fill in the Modelo 790 codigo 012. Fill in your personal details and tick Asignación de número de identidad de extranjero (NIE) a instancia del interesado. Indicate that you want to pay at the bank by ticking the box en efectivo. Print the document in A4 format, take it to your bank and pay the tax. You will get a stamp on the form and proof of payment. Make sure you bring both with you to your appointment.  

Now your adventure in Spain can begin. We hope you enjoy living and working in Spain! 🇪🇸