NIE number

The NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) is a personal, unique and exclusive number that all foreigners must possess for identification purposes.

All foreigners who, due to their economic, professional or social interests, are related to Spain, may personally apply for the NIE at the General Directorate of the Police or, if they are not in Spain at the time of the application, at the Embassy or honorary Consulates of their country of origin.

For this application, the duly completed forms, the applicant’s original valid passport or national identity document, and the duly paid fee must be submitted.

In the case of minors, the father, mother or guardian must also be present and provide a copy and original of their passport or national identity document, as well as the original birth certificate of the minor translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

The NIE allows you to carry out the following procedures:

• Buying or selling a property
• Buying or selling a vehicle
• Obtaining a driver’s license
• Registering at the tax office and paying taxes
• Accepting an inheritance
• Working for yourself or someone else
• Enrolling in an educational institution (school, college, university, etc.)
• Accessing social security and healthcare services
• Setting up water and electricity services
• Opening a bank account
• Other