NIE NUMBER

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a unique identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It is used for a variety of legal, financial, and administrative purposes, such as opening a bank account, paying taxes, buying real estate, or starting a business in Spain.

 

The NIE is essential for both temporary and permanent residents and is required by all persons who carry out an official activity in Spain.

 

They will use it for anything that involves an official process or "Tramite". Here are some common cases where you would use an NIE number:

 

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    Buying or selling a property

 

    Buying or selling a car

 

    Connection to the utilities

 

    Paying Taxes

 

    Start a job

 

    Business registration

 

    Activity as a self-employed person, individual or freelancer

 

    Opening a Spanish bank account

 

    Registration for social benefits and receipt of benefits

 

    Study in Spain 

 

    Getting a Spanish Driver's License

 

    Dealing with Spanish heritage

 

    Get a SIM card in Spain

 

    Registered company

 

 

Your NIE number also serves as a tax number, just as a Social Security number acts as a tax number for American citizens in the United States. However, do not confuse the NIE number with the Social Security Number (Numéro de Seguridad Social) in Spain. This is a separate number that you need to apply for in Spain if you want to work in the country and access social security.

 

Even if you are a non-resident property owner, you will need an NIE number. The Spanish tax authorities use it to process annual tax payments such as income tax (IRPF) and annual wealth tax (patrimonio). These are both declared by property owners in Spain, whether you are a resident or not.

 

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Why do you need an NIE number?

 

An NIE number is an ID number for foreigners in Spain. You will need one if you are moving to Spain for more than 3 months. You'll also need one if you live outside of Spain but continue to carry out financial or legal transactions in the country.

Where to get an NIE number

 

The NIE numbers are issued in Spain by the Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior). To obtain such a number, you must submit an application. There are several ways to do this:

 

    Make an appointment with your local immigration office in Spain. This is only an option if you are already in the country, and you will have to do the appointment in Spanish (usually you can catch an available appointment in the next 30-45 days), which is not an option that everyone is comfortable with. If you choose to do the application process in Spain, visit the government delegations and sub-delegations through their services and the provincial immigration office.

 

    Visit a Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country if you live abroad. This is an excellent option if you want to run the process on your own.

 

    Use our NIE online service that can take care of the process on your behalf. At e-residence.com, we have made it our mission to simplify the process of using services. Our goal is to help our clients overcome bureaucratic moments and language barriers and prepare all the necessary documents, all from the comfort of their own homes. With our support, our customers never have to face these challenges alone. We're with them every step of the way, ensuring a stress-free and seamless experience.

 

 

Documents required for a NIE in person

 

Proof is required for a Spanish NIE number. Here you can find out what you need to have at hand for the application.

 

    An official NIE application form

 

    A passport-sized photo

 

    A document certifying the reason for the NIE application

 

    An identification document or passport (both the original and photocopy of all pages)

 

    Payment of the administrative fee to the Spanish authority – €10.94

 

 

Steps to apply for your NIE number in Spain

1) Decide how you want to apply

 

If you're already in Spain, you'll probably want to get your NIE number as soon as possible. Having a small card in your wallet opens up so many possibilities in the country. Since it can take a few weeks (or even a few months) for your case to be processed, there's no time to waste! Since you are on the ground in the country, you can access the different offices. We have included the process of booking and attending your NIE appointment in steps #3 and #4. However, you can still choose to get an agency to help you with this process.

 

If you still have some time before you leave for Spain, looking for additional support may be an even more obvious way. While you can get an NIE on your own, it's quite difficult, especially if you're not visiting Spain. Many people realize how challenging this process is once they have started the process, and they wish they had gotten help. Read through the process below and consider whether you want to do it on your own – taking into account the time difference, language barrier, and other logistical challenges.

2) Gather your materials

 

Above is a list of materials you need to have prepared for the application process. Whichever route you choose (applying yourself or working with a company), you'll need these materials.

 

However, by partnering with our company, you can avoid this bureaucratic effort. Our systems and processes are designed to streamline the document capture process and give you quick and easy access to the information you need. By using our services, you can save time and effort and focus on your core business. We have the expertise and technology to ensure that all the necessary documents are collected, organized, and made easily accessible to you.

We believe in making things as simple and straightforward as possible, and that's exactly what we're offering with our partnership. So, let us help you minimize the stress and hassle of document capture and allow you to move forward with confidence.