Your NIE Number

An NIE number (a numero de identificacion de extranjeros) is an identity number for foreigners in Spain. It is a document that provides a number which you are required by the various authorities in Spain to have when dealing with them.

The Spanish authorities will need your NIE number to enable you to pay taxes in Spain upon the purchase or inheritance of a property, to buy a car, gain a mobile phone, open a utilities or bank account or incorporate a company. Basically, without an NIE number in Spain you will struggle to deal with any official organisation.

Each foreigner in Spain needs their own unique NIE number, you cannot share one.

You can complete the necessary paperwork and apply in person for an NIE number at a local police station in Spain. They provide appointments for you to attend in person, but these are often at inconvenient times and will be conducted in Spanish and you may not obtain your nie on the same day.

Alternatively, you can use a third party to apply for your NIE number on your behalf, by using a power of attorney.

Yournienumber.com can act as your agent in Spain to obtain your NIE number. In order to do this you will need to give us the power to act as your legal representative in obtaining your NIE number in Spain. Applying online allows us to provide you with all the necessary paperwork and instructions for you to take to a notary to give power of attorney to us. The documentation will be produced in English and Spanish.

You will need to visit a notary in person in your own country for this to be signed and witnessed. The notary will enter relevant details, verify your passport and identity. After providing an official stamp of confirmation (Apostile of Hague), witnessing you signing the documentation the notary or you will post this back to our offices in Spain for processing of your NIE number. Within 7 working days of receiving the documentation you should have your NIE number.

There are many notaries in the UK and other countries so you should be able to find one at a convenient location to yourself.

If you do not want to apply directly completing Spanish paperwork and attending the police station for an appointment with a local Spanish police official, then you will need a respected agent to act on your behalf. In order to do this, you will need to give Power of Attorney to that third party. It is important to ensure that the third party is a recognised, professional company as you will be passing over personal details to them to gain your NIE number.

A notary (or notary public to given them the formal title) is a person authorised to perform certain legal formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents for use in other jurisdictions. A local notary in the UK can be found at https://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/

To find a notary in Ireland visit: http://www.notarypublic.ie

To find a notary public in another country, contact your local law society or use Google to find one.

If you have any other questions concerning gaining an NIE number in Spain then please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.