NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)

What is the NIE and how to obtain it in Spain?

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a unique identification number for foreigners in Spain, equivalent to a personal identification number in a passport. It is required for participation in economic activities such as opening a bank account, purchasing property, obtaining insurance, registering a vehicle, and many other transactions. Without the NIE, most legal and financial operations in the country cannot be carried out. Essentially, it is just a number used to identify you in Spain.

❌ The NIE does not grant the right to reside in Spain.

❌ The NIE is not a residence permit.

❌ The NIE does not grant the right to work in Spain (except for EU citizens).

The NIE number is permanent and does not expire. It does not need to be renewed, as it is issued only once and remains the same for life. The format of the number is the same for all foreigners, regardless of nationality (EU citizens, Latin America, China, post-Soviet countries, and others) and follows a structure such as: Y1234567C.

The document containing the NIE number is always issued on a white A4 sheet of paper, without a photo or fingerprints. It can be obtained personally in Spain, through a notarial power of attorney, or at the Spanish consulate in your home country.

What is the NIE used for?

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is required in Spain for the following situations:

     ✅ Buying, selling, renting, and insuring real estate or vehicles;
     ✅ Opening a bank account;
     ✅ For EU citizens – employment, registering as an autónomo (self-employed), or setting up an SL (limited liability company);
     ✅ Enrolling a child in school;
     ✅ Signing contracts, such as for utility services.

Obtaining the NIE in Spain

There are three ways to obtain the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero):

      - In person in Spain.
      - Through a representative with a notarized power of attorney.
      - At the Spanish consulate in your home country.

1. Procedure for obtaining the NIE in person in Spain:

•  1️⃣ Booking an appointment (Cita previa) 
  You can schedule an appointment through the official website https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
  You need to select the province, office, and purpose — Asignación de NIE. Then, enter your passport details, email address, and phone number. Next, choose an available date and print the confirmation.

💡 Important: Appointments are rarely available, and securing one can be difficult.

• 2️⃣ Gathering documents
  To submit your application, you need to prepare:

  - Passport + copy
  - Completed EX-15 form
  - Photo (if required)
  - Justification for the request (purchase agreement, university admission, bank account opening, etc.)
  - Paid administrative fee Tasa 790_012 (€9.84)

💡 Note: Different provinces may have additional requirements.

• 3️⃣ Submitting the documents
  On the scheduled date, you must go to the police station or immigration office with the complete set of documents. If you do not speak Spanish or English, it is advisable to bring a translator.

   

• 4️⃣ Waiting and receiving the NIE
  In most cases, the certificate with the NIE number is issued the same day, but in some offices, processing may take up to a week.

💡 Important: You must be in Spain legally to obtain the NIE.

2. Procedure for obtaining the NIE through a power of attorney in Spain:

• 1️⃣ Power of attorney
  Visit any notary office in Spain, certify a copy of your passport, and issue a power of attorney for obtaining the NIE.

💡 Important: Currently, only powers of attorney issued in Spain are accepted.

• 2️⃣ Submission of documents
  Provide the power of attorney and the certified copy of your passport to your authorized representative, who will submit the documents and obtain the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) – the foreigner's identification number in Spain – on your behalf.

💡 Important: You must be in Spain legally to obtain the NIE.

3. Procedure for obtaining the NIE at the Spanish consulate in your home country:

• 1️⃣ Schedule an appointment at the consulate.
• 2️⃣ Prepare the required documents.

• 3️⃣ Receive the NIE certificate (Número de Identidad de Extranjero).

   

What is the NIE often confused with?

  Now that we have established that the NIE is simply a foreigner's identification number in Spain, let's examine what it is often confused with and why.
 

The most common confusion is between the NIE and the TIE residence card.

     The abbreviation TIE stands for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, which translates to "Foreigner Identity Card." The TIE is a plastic residence card that must be renewed, replaced if lost or stolen, and grants the holder the right to reside, work, reunite with family, and access other benefits.

   Why does this confusion arise? It's simple. The plastic TIE card contains the NIE identification number. When government offices or service providers ask for your NIE, they are referring to the number itself (e.g., Y1234567C). However, many people mistakenly assume that the TIE and the NIE are the same because the number appears in small print on the TIE card. In reality, the NIE is just a number, whereas the TIE is a residence document that includes this number.

❌ The NIE is not the same as the TIE – they are completely different things.

The second common confusion is between the NIE and the Spanish residence permit for EU citizens, the CUE. It is also often mistakenly referred to as the "green NIE."

     The abbreviation CUE stands for Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea (Certificate of Registration of a Citizen of the European Union).

   The confusion arises for the same reason: the green paper CUE card also contains the NIE identification number. This number is required by all Spanish government agencies, as well as banks, schools, and tax offices. Because of this, many people mistakenly refer to the CUE as the "green NIE," when in fact, it is a document that confirms the registration of an EU citizen in Spain, whereas the NIE is simply the number listed on this certificate.

❌ The NIE is not the same as the CUE – they are completely different things.

The third common confusion arises regarding the status of Ukrainian citizens in Spain under Temporary Protection.

     Temporary Protection is granted to Ukrainian citizens (as well as citizens of other countries) who have fled Ukraine due to the war. Due to widespread misinformation on forums, a significant misunderstanding has emerged: many Ukrainians are advised to obtain an NIE upon arrival in Spain and then apply for a TIE. Let's clarify this issue in detail.

   If a Ukrainian citizen obtains an NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) in Spain, this number alone does not grant any rights. It does not provide the possibility to obtain a TIE residence permit, nor does it grant the right to legal residence, access to medical services, or official employment. The NIE number can only be used to open a bank account or purchase property, but nothing more.

   To legalize their stay in Spain, gain the right to work officially, and access medical and social services, a person must obtain a Temporary Protection document. This document is issued as an A4 paper sheet containing personal details, a photograph, and fingerprint data. And, as expected, this document automatically assigns a unique NIE number to the person at the time of the Temporary Protection application.

❌ The NIE is not the same as Temporary Protection – they are completely different things!

          💡 Important: Only after obtaining Temporary Protection in Spain can a person apply for a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) based on Temporary Protection status. This document is issued with the right to work in Spain and is valid for one year. It must be renewed annually as long as the Temporary Protection status remains valid.

❌ The NIE is not the same as Temporary Protection and does not provide any legal rights to reside or work in Spain.

❌ The NIE is not the same as the TIE (plastic residence card issued under Temporary Protection) and does not grant residency or the right to legal employment in Spain.