A Spanish NIE number is the personal identification number assigned to foreign nationals for their dealings with the Spanish authorities. You may need one to buy a property, handle an inheritance or carry out other economic, professional or social activities in Spain.
Your NIE number stays with you for life. The certificate showing that number, your residence documents and your passport serve different purposes and may have different validity requirements.
Before applying, check whether you already have a NIE and whether you need a number for a particular transaction or documentation for living in Spain. That distinction determines which procedure you should follow.
What is a NIE number in Spain?
NIE stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero, or Foreigner Identity Number. It allows Spanish authorities to identify you consistently across administrative records.
It consists of an initial letter, X, Y or Z, followed by seven digits and a final verification letter. The number may appear on a white NIE certificate, an EU registration certificate or a foreigner identity card.
Spanish immigration regulations define the NIE as a personal, unique and exclusive number. You keep the same identifier when you move between Spanish provinces or change your immigration status.
The expression "getting a NIE" can therefore mean different things in everyday conversation. Someone buying a holiday home may need a certificate assigning the number. Someone moving to Spain may need to register their residence or obtain a residence card that includes it.
How long does a Spanish NIE number last?
The truth is that the Spanish NIE number will never change. This number will be your Spanish Identification Number forever. The confusion comes when we talk about the certificate, the A4 document showing your NIE.
The number itself does not expire. Leaving Spain, renewing your passport or returning after several years does not mean you need another NIE number.
If you already have one, use it in future applications. An expired document or a missing certificate is a reason to check the documentation you need, rather than start again as someone who has never been assigned a number.
Does the Spanish NIE certificate expire?
Check the wording on your own certificate. Some older NIE certificates show a three-month validity period, while other certificates have no printed expiry date.
A validity statement on the certificate does not cancel the NIE number. It concerns the document being presented.
If you have been asked for an up-to-date NIE, establish exactly what the organisation needs. They may require a recently issued certificate, proof of your current residence status or a valid identity document. These are different requests.
Does the NIE certificate have a three-month validity? After three months, do I need to apply for a new one?
You do not need a new NIE number after three months.
If your certificate says "caduca en tres meses", check whether the organisation handling your transaction will accept it or requires a recently issued document. Avoid assuming that every certificate must be replaced every three months, or that an old certificate will be accepted for every procedure.
For example, if a bank queries your paperwork, ask whether the problem is the certificate's issue date, your passport or evidence of residence. Replacing the wrong document may leave the original problem unresolved.
Do I need to renew my NIE certificate?
You do not renew the number itself. You may need to obtain an updated certificate when the document you hold does not meet the requirements of a particular procedure.
Before booking anything, check what you have been asked to provide and whether your existing certificate is sufficient.
If the document expiring is a TIE residence card, follow the relevant residence and card procedure. Requesting another white NIE certificate will not renew your residence permission. Please see more information about TIE renewals.
How do I re-apply for an expired NIE?
Explain that you already have a NIE and need updated documentary proof. Ask the competent police office which appointment category, documents and fee apply to your case.
The EX-15 form covers NIE and certificate requests, but you should confirm the appropriate option rather than automatically selecting a first-time assignment.
Always include your existing NIE number when it is known. If you cannot find it, tell the office that you were previously assigned one so your existing record can be checked.
Why you need an NIE number in Spain
A NIE connects your identity to transactions and administrative records in Spain. Common situations include buying or selling property, dealing with an inheritance, meeting tax obligations and completing paperwork connected with employment or business activities.
For a property purchase, organise the application early enough for the professionals handling the transaction to check your documentation before completion. If two foreign buyers are purchasing together, check each buyer's identification requirements.
Banks, landlords and utility providers may also ask for a NIE. Their documentation requirements can differ, so ask what they accept for your circumstances rather than assuming a passport is always sufficient or always excluded.
Having the number does not automatically complete the other registrations involved. Employment, Social Security, healthcare and residence each have their own requirements.
NIE, TIE and the green certificate explained
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things.
| Term | What it means | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| NIE | Your foreigner identification number | The number remains the same |
| White NIE certificate | A document recording your NIE assignment | It does not establish residence rights |
| Green certificate (tarjeta verde) | The EU citizen registration certificate | It records registration as a resident and includes your NIE |
| TIE | The foreigner identity card issued under the applicable immigration procedure | It includes your NIE and has its own validity |
| NIF | Tax identification number | For foreign individuals, the NIE generally serves this purpose |
Is a NIE the same as Spanish residency?
A NIE obtained for a transaction does not authorise you to live in Spain or prove that you are resident there.
For example, you can need a NIE to buy a holiday home while continuing to live abroad. Buying that home and obtaining the number do not, by themselves, give you permission to move to Spain permanently.
If your goal is to relocate or to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa for example, identify the residence route that applies to your nationality and circumstances before selecting an appointment.
What is a green NIE?
"Green NIE" is an informal name for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión, also known as the tarjeta verde or green certificate.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens planning to reside in Spain for more than three months generally need to complete the relevant registration. The application uses EX-18 and requires evidence that the registration conditions are met.
The certificate includes your NIE. If you already have a number, registration does not mean obtaining a different one.
What is the difference between a NIE and a TIE?
The NIE is the number. The TIE is a physical identity card issued to foreign nationals under the applicable immigration rules.
A TIE includes your photograph and NIE, together with information about your authorised situation in Spain. Its expiry date needs attention even though the NIE printed on it remains unchanged.
If you need help with the card rather than the number, see our information about the TIE card in Spain.
How to get a NIE number in Spain
For a standalone NIE application, you need to explain your economic, professional or social reason for requesting the number.
The usual routes are applying in Spain, applying through the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence abroad, or using a duly authorised representative.
Before choosing a route, check whether a NIE has already been assigned during a previous Spanish immigration procedure. Look at existing certificates, residence documentation and decisions you have received.
Applying in person in Spain
Check the competent office and book the appointment for NIE assignment. Read the instructions for that specific appointment before preparing your documents.
The procedure may be handled through the relevant foreigners' office or police station. Not every police station processes every immigration application.
The Policía Nacional lists two conditions for assignment at the applicant's request, explaining the reason for the application and not being in an irregular situation in Spain. Official NIE application procedure.
Applying through a Spanish consulate abroad
Contact the Spanish consulate responsible for the area where you live. Check its appointment procedure, proof of local residence, payment method and document instructions.
The consulate forwards the application to the Spanish police authorities responsible for assigning the number. Requirements for payment and document presentation can vary between consulates.
For UK applicants, the Spanish Consulate in London's NIE instructions explain its own requirements. Use the consulate covering your address rather than assuming London handles every UK application.
Applying through a representative
A duly authorised representative can submit a NIE application on your behalf. The authorisation must cover the procedure, and the representative must provide the required identification and supporting documents.
If you arrange a power of attorney abroad, check the wording and any apostille, legalisation or translation requirements before signing it. The receiving office must be able to accept the document.
Representation can be useful if you are buying property from abroad or cannot attend personally. It does not remove the need to justify the application.
Documents needed for a NIE application
For a standalone application, prepare the following documents, then compare them with the instructions issued by your office or consulate.
- EX-15 application form, completed with your personal details and reason for applying.
- Valid passport and the required copies, or an accepted national identity document where applicable.
- Evidence supporting your reason for needing the NIE, such as documentation relating to the transaction.
- Modelo 790 Código 012 and the required payment evidence, following the payment instructions for your application route.
- Representation documents, if another person submits the application for you.
A consulate may also require proof that you live within its district. Applications involving children require documentation of the parent or guardian's authority. The Spanish Consulate in Boston's checklist illustrates these additional requirements.
Check whether you should sign the form beforehand or at the appointment. Follow the copy requirements of the receiving office, since a consular checklist and an in-Spain checklist may differ.
Your supporting documents should explain the same purpose you state on EX-15. A specific, documented transaction is clearer than an unexplained request for a number.
How much does a NIE number cost?
The Policía Nacional currently lists €9.84 for NIE assignment at the applicant's request. Check the official immigration fee schedule before paying.
This is the government fee for that procedure. Professional assistance, a power of attorney, translations or document delivery can create additional costs.
If you apply through a consulate, follow its published fee and payment method. Do not assume it accepts the same payment arrangements as an office in Spain.
An updated certificate, EU registration and a TIE are separate procedures. Select the fee corresponding to the document you are actually requesting.
How long does it take to get a NIE number?
Separate the time spent finding an appointment from the time spent processing the application.
The official NIE procedure specifies a maximum of five days from entry of the application into the register of the competent processing authority. This does not mean five days from your first attempt to book an appointment.
Your overall timetable can also include preparing supporting documents, completing a power of attorney and arranging delivery.
Consular estimates vary. London currently indicates that issuance normally takes three weeks, while Boston indicates two weeks; both explain that delays can occur. Use the estimate published by the consulate handling your application.
If you need the NIE for a property completion or another fixed deadline, work backwards from that date and allow time to correct missing documents. Avoid relying on a same-day outcome unless the receiving office has confirmed the arrangements for your case.
Can you get a NIE number online?
You can complete some preparation online, including accessing forms and arranging appointments. Remote assistance may also allow you to manage your side of an application without travelling to Spain.
However, an "online NIE service" does not necessarily mean the authorities issue the number through a fully online, self-service application. Consular guidance requires attendance by the applicant or an accredited representative.
Before paying for a service, establish who submits the application, what authorisation is required and how you receive the certificate.
I've lost my NIE document so I don't know if it's expired or not
Losing the document does not mean losing the number assigned to you.
Start by checking whether you have a scan, an email containing the certificate or another official document showing your NIE. An earlier residence card or registration certificate may also help you recover the number.
Once you have identified what is missing, ask for the appropriate replacement documentation.
If you have lost the white NIE certificate
Contact the competent police office to confirm how to obtain replacement proof of your existing NIE, including the appointment category, documents and applicable fee.
Bring your current identity document and any copy or record of the previous certificate. If you cannot remember the number, explain that one has already been assigned.
A photocopy can help locate your record, but ask the organisation handling your transaction whether it needs an official certificate.
If you have lost a TIE or green certificate
Identify the document correctly when requesting help. Replacing a TIE or an EU registration certificate is a different procedure from obtaining a white NIE certificate.
If the document was stolen, report the theft and keep the report for the replacement process. If you have travel booked, check what documentation you need before departure.
What happens to your NIE when your circumstances change?
If you renew your passport
Your NIE remains the same. Update your passport details with the organisations and authorities that require your current identification information.
A difference between the passport number on an old record and your current passport does not mean you need a second NIE.
If you leave Spain and return years later
Use the NIE already assigned to you. You may need updated documents or a new residence procedure, depending on your circumstances, but the identification number remains yours.
If you move to another Spanish province
Your NIE is valid as your identifier throughout Spain. Moving from Alicante to Madrid, for example, does not require another number.
Check which address records and documents need updating after the move.
Frequently asked questions about the Spanish NIE
Can I work in Spain with just a NIE?
The number alone does not authorise employment. Your right to work depends on your nationality or immigration status, and the relevant employment and Social Security requirements must also be met.
Does getting a NIE make me a Spanish tax resident?
No. Tax residence depends on separate criteria, including time spent in Spain and economic interests. Obtaining a NIE does not determine it.
Can I get a NIE without living in Spain?
Yes. Non-residents may need a NIE for a qualifying transaction or activity connected with Spain. Check the consular or representation route appropriate to your circumstances.
Does a child need their own NIE?
A child may need a NIE for a transaction or immigration procedure involving them. A parent's number does not replace the child's own identification where it is required.
Is a NIE number the same as a Social Security number?
No. They are separate identifiers. Having a NIE does not automatically mean you have completed Social Security registration.
Can I use a NIE certificate instead of my passport?
A white NIE certificate records your number and has no photograph. Use your valid passport or other accepted identity document to establish your identity.
Help with your NIE application
If you are unsure which procedure applies, start with three pieces of information, your nationality, where you currently live and why you need the NIE.
If you already have Spanish documentation, check it before requesting another number. You may need an updated certificate or assistance with residence paperwork instead.
For appointment preparation, accompaniment or an application through a power of attorney, see our NIE application assistance service.
