The NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) is a number, not a card. You need it for almost any dealing with economic, professional or social effect in Spain: buying property, signing an employment contract, opening an account or enrolling in a school.
How it works
Check this is what you need
If you already hold a residence authorisation, what you need is the TIE, not NIE assignment. Choosing the wrong procedure invalidates the appointment.
Prepare the EX-15 and the reason
Form EX-15 is filed together with proof of the reason: a contract, deed, enrolment, job offer or whatever applies to your case.
Pay fee 790 code 012
This is the fee associated with NIE assignment. It must be paid before the appointment.
We book your appointment
The procedure usually appears in the system as "Certificados y Asignación de NIE". We search for the slot in the province you tell us.
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Usual documentation
- Valid passport, original and full photocopy.
- Form EX-15 completed and signed.
- Proof of payment of fee 790 code 012.
- Document proving the reason: deed, contract, enrolment, job offer or other.
- Appointment confirmation.
NIE, TIE and certificate are not the same
- NIE: the identification number. This is what this procedure assigns.
- TIE: the physical card proving your legal residence, with that NIE printed on it.
- EU citizen registration certificate: the green document for EU nationals, which is not a TIE.
Service price
A fixed fee for managing the appointment. Nothing is charged in advance: payment is requested once the appointment is confirmed and you can verify it yourself.
NIE Assignment
Appointment management, any province
- Continuous search for slots in your province
- WhatsApp alert as soon as availability appears
- Official confirmation you verify yourself
- No advance payment
Official administration fees are not included: they are paid directly to the state.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NIE expire?
The number itself is permanent and does not change. What expires is the card or certificate that evidences it, not the number.
Can I apply for the NIE from outside Spain?
Yes, through the Spanish consulate or embassy in the country where you are. The police-station procedure is the route for those already in Spain.
Do I need to be registered on the padrón?
For NIE assignment as a non-resident it is normally not essential, but some offices ask for it. It depends on the reason and the province.
What is the difference between NIE and TIE?
The NIE is a number; the TIE is the physical card proving residence with that number printed on it. Having a NIE does not mean having legal residence.
How much does the service cost?
From €59, paid only once the appointment is confirmed. The official fee is paid separately, directly to the administration.
Last reviewed: August 2026. General information only; this is not legal advice. Requirements may vary according to current legislation and the relevant office.
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NIE assignment: how the number is issued
The NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is a personal, permanent number that identifies you before the Spanish administration. It is not a residence permit and not a card: it is the number you use for a bank account, a property purchase, an inheritance, a company, a work contract or a tax return.
Who applies for it directly
- Non-residents with an economic, professional or social interest in Spain: the classic EX-15 route.
- People who obtain a residence authorisation receive the NIE with the approval, so they do not apply separately.
- EU citizens registering in Spain get the number printed on their green registration certificate.
Documents for the EX-15 route
- Form EX-15 completed and signed.
- Passport, original plus a copy of the data page.
- A written statement of why you need the NIE, with evidence: a deed, a contract, a job offer, an inheritance document.
- Receipt of the fee, paid before the appointment.
- A notarised power of attorney if somebody applies on your behalf.
Where the appointment is booked
In the official system the procedure appears as "POLICIA-ASIGNACION DE N.I.E.", at a National Police station. It is a different procedure from fingerprints and from card collection: choosing the wrong one means the office cannot attend you and the slot is lost.
What you get, and what you do not
- You receive a certificate showing the number. It is a sheet of paper, not a card.
- The number never expires. The certificate is often accepted only within three months by banks and notaries, so request it close to when you need it.
- It does not authorise you to live or work in Spain: that requires a residence and work authorisation, which is a separate application.
Requesting it from abroad
The NIE can also be requested at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence. Consulates run their own appointment systems and waiting times, and the fee is paid there. If you are already in Spain, the police route is usually faster.
Last reviewed: 1 September 2026.
General information only; this is not legal advice. Requirements and timeframes can change.
Confirmations from appointments we have obtained
Real documents from appointments we booked, with the holder’s details covered. The procedure, date, time and office are the ones printed on the confirmation. Availability depends on the administration: we do not promise specific dates.
No payment upfront
You pay only once the appointment is confirmed.
Continuous monitoring
We watch the official system until a slot opens.
All 52 provinces
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