Spain · NIE · Tax & Accounting service

NIE Number Spain — Apply Online or Check Your NIE

Apply now and get your NIE in 3–5 working days.

Automated service with a guarantee and without bureaucracy.

  • No need to worry about language barriers
  • No need to waste time on appointments and visits.
  • There is no need to fly to Spain – everything can be done remotely.
  • Digital NIE for PDF/Apple Wallet

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  • Only 1 document to get started
  • Certified Tax & Accounting professionals
  • Since 2013
Get your NIE online How the service works
Example of a Spanish NIE number certificate (NIE blanco) issued by the Policía Nacional
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01 · Short answer

NIE Number Spain: the Short Answer

An NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the permanent identification number Spain gives foreign nationals. You need one to buy property, open a bank account, pay taxes, work or start a business in Spain. And in most cases, yes, you can get your NIE online: you order from home, send one document and sign a Power of Attorney, and a representative in Spain handles the appointment for you — no trip to Spain and no embassy visit.

  • The NIE is permanent: the number is assigned once and does not change or expire when you move, change jobs, buy property, or open new accounts in Spain.
  • It looks like X1234567L: a leading letter (X, Y or Z), seven digits and a control letter.
  • There are three ways to apply: at a police office in Spain, at a Spanish consulate abroad, or online through an authorized representative in Spain.
  • One document gets you started: a scan of your passport. The EX-15 form and the Tasa 790-012 government fee are prepared for you — see the NIE application guide for the full checklist.
  • Estimated delivery is 3–5 working days on VIP, 5–10 on Priority and 14–18 on Basic, by PDF to your inbox. Get your NIE online.
02 · What it is

What Is an NIE Number in Spain?

An NIE number is Spain’s personal, permanent identification number for foreigners. NIE stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero, or “foreigner identity number”. It is assigned by the Dirección General de la Policía — part of Spain’s National Police, the Policía Nacional — to foreign nationals with economic, professional or social ties to Spain.

Think of it as your reference number for Spanish paperwork. Notaries, banks, the tax office (Agencia Tributaria), employers and utility companies all ask for it, and once you deal with the tax office it also works as your tax number. It looks like X1234567L: a leading letter (X, Y or Z), seven digits, and a control letter calculated from the rest.

The NIE is often confused with three other Spanish IDs:

  • NIF — the tax identification number. For foreign nationals, the NIF is normally the same as the NIE. See the difference between NIE and NIF.
  • TIE — the plastic residence card for non-EU residents. It displays your NIE, but it is a separate document with its own validity and renewal rules. See NIE vs TIE.
  • DNI — the national identity document for Spanish citizens. Foreign nationals do not receive one.
Key facts about the Spanish NIE at a glance
ItemFact
Full nameNúmero de Identidad de Extranjero (foreigner identity number)
Issued byDirección General de la Policía, Policía Nacional
FormatX, Y or Z, then seven digits, then a control letter — e.g. X1234567L
ValidityPermanent — the number itself does not expire
Standard formEX-15
Government fee formTasa 790-012
Document you receiveAn A4 NIE certificate (NIE blanco); EU citizens living in Spain receive the NIE Verde
Main routesIn Spain, consulate abroad, representative via Power of Attorney
03 · Who needs it

Who Needs an NIE Number?

Almost every foreign national who does anything official in Spain needs an NIE — whether or not they live there. Non-residents need it to buy a holiday home, inherit Spanish assets or open a Spanish bank account; people moving to Spain need it to work, rent, register for tax and set up utilities.

Non-EU citizens

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen — British, American, Canadian and Australian nationals included — you apply for the white NIE certificate (NIE blanco) for dealings such as buying property, banking, taxes or a company. It does not give you the right to live in Spain. If you later move to Spain on a visa or residence permit, the same NIE appears on your TIE residence card.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

If you need a number without moving to Spain — to buy property, for example — you apply for the NIE certificate like anyone else. If you live in Spain for more than three months, you register as a resident instead and receive the NIE Verde for EU citizens, officially the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea. It carries the same permanent NIE number, but it must be applied for in person.

Common situations where a Spanish NIE is required
SituationWhy the NIE is required
Buying or selling propertyUsed by the notary, land registry, tax authorities, and bank in the transaction
Opening a bank accountSpanish banks identify foreign customers by NIE
Tax registration and filingsThe NIE functions as the tax identifier for foreign nationals
Registering a company or as autónomoRequired for founders, directors, and freelancers
Inheritance of Spanish assetsHeirs need an NIE before accepting Spanish assets
Employment administrationEmployers and social security reference the NIE
Utilities, telecoms, and digital public servicesContracts and e-government portals request the NIE
A couple in straw hats on the terrace of their Spanish home, looking out over white houses to the sea
04 · Application routes

How Can You Apply for a Spanish NIE?

There are three routes: in person at a police office in Spain, at a Spanish consulate in your country, or through an authorized representative in Spain who applies for you under a Power of Attorney. The third route is the one that lets you get your NIE online, without traveling. The best option depends on where you are, why you need the NIE, and whether representation suits your case.

The three main routes to apply for a Spanish NIE
RouteWhere it happensBest suited for
In person in SpainPolice office (Oficina de Extranjería / Comisaría) with a cita previa appointmentApplicants already in Spain who can attend an appointment
Spanish consulate abroadThe Spanish consulate serving your country of residenceApplicants abroad who prefer the official consular route
Authorized representative in SpainA duly authorized representative acts under a specific Power of AttorneyApplicants who cannot travel and whose case can be handled by a representative

Applying on your own? The NIE appointment guide explains how a cita previa (the official appointment) is booked, and the Spanish NIE application guide covers forms, documents and common mistakes.

Get your NIE online

05 · How it works

How Do I Apply for My NIE Number Online?

You order online, verify your identity, send a scan of your passport and sign a Power of Attorney; e-residence then books the appointment, files your application in Spain and emails you your NIE certificate. Six steps, and only the first four need you:

Choose your package and order online

Basic, Priority or VIP — the same work at three speeds. The Tasa 790-012 government fee is included.

Verify your identity and complete the form

Two links arrive by email: an identity check and the application form. Do them in either order, at your own pace.

Send a scan of your passport

A clear PDF scan — every page, blank ones included, if you are a non-EU citizen — plus a line on why you need the NIE.

Sign the Power of Attorney

Online, with the notarization and apostille arranged for you — or at a notary near you, followed by an apostille.

We prepare and submit your application

We complete the EX-15, pay the Tasa 790-012, book the appointment at the competent Comisaría de Policía and submit your file in Spain.

Receive your NIE certificate

Your certificate arrives as a PDF by email. Need the original paper copy? It can follow by tracked courier.

Where an office does not accept representation, we prepare your file and support you at your own appointment instead. For urgent cases, see the fast-track NIE options or get your NIE online with the VIP package.

06 · Track it in your Wallet

Your NIE order, one swipe away

Add your order to Apple Wallet at checkout. The pass updates as your application moves — and the moment your NIE is issued, the QR on the pass opens your document.

Add to Apple Wallet

Live status on the pass — no email digging, no login.

The E-Residence order pass in Apple Wallet, showing the issued NIE number, live order status, holder name, and order datee-residence.comStatusIssuedNIEY0000000-ZAlex CarterESAug 7, 2026Scan to open your NIE document
07 · Check your NIE

How Do I Check My NIE Number Online?

To check that an NIE certificate is genuine and officially registered, enter the CSV code printed on it at the Policía Nacional’s document verification page; if the code matches, you can download a verified copy straight from the police database. It is free and needs no login or digital certificate. There is no public search that finds an NIE from your name — the number is personal data — so what you can check online is a certificate you already hold, and whether a number is written correctly.

Verify your NIE certificate with its CSV code

  1. Find the CSV (verification) code on the left-hand side of your NIE certificate. It looks like 01234-56789-01234-56789.
  2. Open the Policía Nacional’s Verificación de documentos con CSV page on sede.policia.gob.es, the police’s official online office.
  3. Type the code exactly as printed, dashes and capital letters included, and solve the short sum in the security check.
  4. Click “Enviar formulario”, then “Descargar”, to download the verified PDF of your certificate.
Spanish NIE certificate with the CSV verification code highlighted on its left-hand side

Step-by-step screenshots of the portal are in how to confirm your NIE is officially registered.

Check that the number is written correctly

A valid NIE has nine characters: X, Y or Z, then seven digits, then a control letter — for example X1234567L. The control letter is calculated from the characters before it, so a single typo usually makes the number invalid, and official online forms reject it. Copy the number from your certificate or TIE card rather than from memory, and never use an online “NIE generator”: a generated number is not assigned to anyone. The NIE number format guide explains each part.

Find your NIE if you cannot locate the certificate

The same number is printed on your TIE card or NIE Verde, and on Spanish tax documents, notary deeds, bank paperwork and payslips. If the certificate itself is lost, the number does not change and the certificate can be reissued — see what to do if your NIE is lost or stolen.

Track an e-residence application

Still waiting for your NIE? Your Apple Wallet pass shows the live status of your order, and support can tell you which stage it has reached using the order reference emailed to you.

08 · Documents

What Documents Do I Need for an NIE Number?

To get started, one: a clear scan of your valid passport. You also tell us why you need the NIE and sign a Power of Attorney; the official forms are prepared for you.

Documents for an NIE application with e-residence
DocumentWho handles itNotes
Valid passportYou — a scan, as a PDF where possibleNon-EU citizens send every page, blank ones included: the stamps show your Schengen stays
Reason for the NIEYou — a short explanationFor example buying property, opening a bank account or an inheritance; supporting evidence may be requested
EX-15 application formPrepared for youThe official form for assigning an NIE
Tasa 790-012 fee paymentPrepared and paid for youThe government fee is included in every package
Power of AttorneyYou sign itOnline, with notarization and apostille arranged, or at a notary near you followed by an apostille
Sworn translationOnly if neededNot needed for a bilingual Power of Attorney; other documents not in Spanish may need one

The most common reason a file is sent back is a phone photo instead of a scan: cut-off corners, glare or missing pages. The complete NIE application guide has the full checklist for every route.

09 · Timing

How Long Does It Take to Get an NIE Number?

With e-residence, an estimated 3–5 working days on VIP, 5–10 on Priority and 14–18 on Basic. All three packages cover the same work; the package sets how quickly your file is handled.

Estimated NIE delivery time by package
PackageEstimated deliverySuits
VIP3–5 working daysProperty completions and other close deadlines
Priority5–10 working daysPlanned purchases, bank accounts and job starts
Basic14–18 working daysApplicants without a fixed deadline

These are estimates, not guarantees. What can add time:

  • Signing the Power of Attorney at your own notary. The timeline starts once the original reaches e-residence, after the apostille and courier. Online notarization avoids that wait.
  • Incomplete or unclear scans, the most common reason a file is sent back.
  • Appointment availability at the police office, which varies by city and season.
  • Extra checks requested by the Spanish authorities.

Applying on your own? Waiting for a cita previa appointment is often the longest part. The NIE timeline guide breaks down each route.

10 · Guarantees

What Can and Cannot Be Guaranteed?

What we can help with

We can help you choose the right route, prepare the application file, review the supporting documents, draft or coordinate the Power of Attorney where appropriate, guide you on apostille and sworn translation requirements, and manage the Spain-side process through an authorized representative where representation is accepted.

What cannot be guaranteed

No provider can guarantee a specific appointment date, a same-day result, or approval in every case. Timing and outcome depend on appointment availability, the completeness of your documents, the legal reason for requesting the NIE, the practice of the relevant police office or consulate, and any additional checks requested by Spanish authorities.

11 · Cost

What Affects the Cost of Your NIE?

e-residence offers three fixed-price packages — Basic, Priority and VIP — and each includes the Tasa 790-012 government fee. What you pay in total depends on the speed you choose and on add-ons such as online notarization of the Power of Attorney, an apostille, a sworn translation or courier delivery.

Factors that affect the total cost of your NIE
FactorHow it affects your case
Your locationDetermines whether the consulate or representative route applies
Application routeIn-person, consular, and representative routes involve different steps
Supporting documentsApostille, legalization, or sworn translation may be needed
UrgencyFast-track handling depends on appointment and office availability
Power of AttorneyRemote cases require a specific PoA prepared and signed correctly

Package prices and timelines are listed in the NIE cost guide.

Get your NIE online

12 · NIE by city

NIE by City

Need city-specific guidance? These local pages explain the appointment route, office notes, document preparation, and remote representative options for major Spanish destinations. For other cities, e-residence can assess whether the representative route is suitable for your case.

14 · Start your case

Apply for Your Spanish NIE with Professional Support

Need an NIE for property, banking, inheritance, business registration, tax, employment administration, or another Spanish procedure? Share your case details with e-residence and the team will review the best route, required documents, and whether a representative application is suitable. No fixed result date can be guaranteed before your case is reviewed.

Get your NIE online

What happens next

  1. Personal review of your case and reason for the NIE
  2. Best route and required documents confirmed
  3. A fixed package price, with the Tasa 790-012 government fee included
15 · FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Spanish NIE

What is an NIE number in Spain?

An NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the personal, permanent identification number Spain assigns to foreign nationals. It looks like X1234567L — a leading letter, seven digits and a control letter — and you need it to buy property, open a bank account, pay taxes, work or start a business in Spain. It is issued by the Policía Nacional and never changes.

How do I apply for an NIE number online?

Order online, then complete the two links that arrive by email — identity verification and the application form — and send a scan of your passport. You sign a Power of Attorney online, with the notarization and apostille arranged for you, and a representative in Spain handles the appointment and submission where representation is accepted. There is no fully automated government portal for the NIE, so the online part is yours and the in-person part is handled for you. See the complete NIE application guide for the full route comparison.

Can I get an NIE number without going to Spain?

In many cases, yes. On the Power of Attorney route you stay where you are: you sign a specific Power of Attorney — online, with the notarization and apostille arranged for you, or at a notary in your country followed by an apostille — and a duly authorized representative files the EX-15 and the Tasa 790-012 in Spain on your behalf. The certificate is sent to you once it is issued. Whether representation suits your case depends on your country, documents, and reason for the NIE. See the NIE via Power of Attorney guide.

How long does it take to get an NIE number?

With e-residence the estimated delivery is 3–5 working days on the VIP package, 5–10 on Priority and 14–18 on Basic. These are estimates, not guarantees: appointment availability, how complete your documents are and any extra checks by the police can add time, and if you sign the Power of Attorney at your own notary, the timeline starts once the original reaches e-residence. See the NIE timeline guide.

How do I check my NIE number online?

Enter the CSV verification code printed on the left of your NIE certificate on the Policía Nacional's document verification page; if it matches, you can download a verified copy of the certificate. To check the number itself, make sure it has a leading X, Y or Z, seven digits and a control letter, copied exactly from your certificate or TIE card. There is no public database that looks up an NIE by name. See how to confirm your NIE is officially registered.

What documents do I need for an NIE number?

To start with e-residence, one: a clear scan of your valid passport — every page, blank ones included, if you are a non-EU citizen. You also say why you need the NIE and sign a Power of Attorney; the EX-15 application form and the Tasa 790-012 fee payment are prepared for you. Some cases need an apostille, legalization or sworn translation. See the complete NIE application guide.

How much does it cost to get an NIE number?

e-residence offers three fixed-price packages — Basic, Priority and VIP — and each one includes the Tasa 790-012 government fee, so there is nothing extra to pay the authorities. The packages differ in speed, not scope. Optional add-ons include online notarization of the Power of Attorney with apostille, the FNMT digital certificate and postal delivery of the original certificate. Current prices are listed in the NIE cost guide.

Do I need an NIE number to buy property in Spain?

Yes. Foreign buyers need an NIE before signing the purchase deed at the notary, and the same number is used by the tax office, the land registry and any bank providing a mortgage. Apply early so the NIE does not hold up completion. See the guide to buying property in Spain.

Is an NIE number the same as a TIE?

No. The NIE is your identification number; the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a plastic residence card for non-EU residents that displays it. The NIE never changes, while the TIE has its own expiry date and is renewed with your residence permit. Non-residents who only need a number get the NIE certificate, not a TIE. See NIE vs TIE.

How long is an NIE number valid?

For life. The NIE number is assigned once and does not expire or change, even if you leave Spain for years. What can expire is a document that shows it, such as a TIE card, and some banks or notaries ask for a recently issued certificate, but the number stays the same. See the NIE expiration guide for the full explanation.

NIE Blanco or NIE Verde — which one do I need?

They are two different documents, and choosing the wrong one is the most common mix-up. The NIE Blanco is the A4 certificate that assigns an NIE number to someone with economic, professional or social ties to Spain who is not registering as a resident — for buying property, opening a bank account, paying taxes or setting up a business. It does not grant residency or the right to stay. The NIE Verde is the residence registration certificate for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in Spain for more than three months; it shows an NIE number, but it must be applied for in person, and only by an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen in their own right. See the NIE Verde guide.

Do EU citizens need an NIE in Spain?

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who stay in Spain for more than three months usually register for the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea, often called NIE Verde. This certificate includes the NIE number. See the NIE Verde guide for EU citizens.

What is the difference between NIE and NIF?

The NIE is the foreigner identification number. The NIF is the tax identification number used by the Spanish tax system. For many foreign nationals, the NIE number is also used as their NIF once they interact with tax authorities. See the NIE vs NIF guide.

I was issued an NIE years ago — do I need a new one?

No. The NIE number is assigned once and stays with you for life, so a new application does not produce a new number — and an application has to confirm that no NIE is already registered in your name. What can be done is recovering or reissuing the certificate that shows it, including when your name has changed or the original has been lost. See the lost or stolen NIE guide.

What does the NIE document or card look like?

A white NIE certificate is an A4 sheet from the Spanish Police, not a card. Non-EU residents receive a TIE card, a physical plastic card that displays the same NIE number and has its own expiry date. When e-residence obtains your certificate, it is sent to you as a PDF by email, which covers most everyday uses; if you need the original paper certificate — some notaries and registries ask for it — it can be posted to you with courier tracking. See the NIE document example for a visual reference.

How does a Power of Attorney for an NIE work?

A Power of Attorney (poder notarial) authorizes a representative in Spain to apply for the NIE in your name. It should be specific to the NIE procedure, state why you need the number, and match your passport details exactly. You either sign it online, with the notarization and apostille arranged for you, or sign it at a notary in your country, then have it apostilled under the 1961 Hague Convention (legalized at the consulate if your country is not a party) and send the original to Spain. A bilingual document avoids a separate sworn translation. See the NIE via Power of Attorney guide for the steps by country and the NIE cost guide for what each option costs.

I'm a non-EU citizen and haven't been to Spain recently — can I still apply?

Usually yes, but the route changes. For non-EU applicants the Policía Nacional checks passport stamps to confirm that permitted Schengen stays have not been exceeded, which is why every page of the passport is requested, blank ones included. With no recent entry stamp there are generally two options: apply after your next entry into the Schengen area, using a scan of the stamped page, or apply through a Power of Attorney — signed online with the notarization and apostille arranged for you, or signed at a notary in your country and then apostilled. See the NIE via Power of Attorney guide.

How do I get an NIE from the UK or Ireland?

You can apply through the Spanish consulate serving your place of residence or use a representative route handled in Spain. Consulates in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin each set their own appointment and document rules. See the consulate guide for details.

Can I get an NIE in Palma de Mallorca or Valencia?

Yes. The same NIE rules apply, but the local office, appointment availability, and practical steps depend on the province. For other cities, e-residence can assess whether the representative route suits your case.

Can you process applications for my spouse and children?

Yes. Each applicant needs their own application, identity verification and valid passport — minors included — because the service is provided per person rather than per household. For the NIE Verde, every applicant, children included, must present their own valid EU, EEA or Swiss passport or national identity card, so a dual-national child whose EU passport has expired needs it renewed first.

What do I need to send you — a scan or a photo of my passport?

A scan, as a PDF where possible. Phone photos are the most common reason a file is sent back: cut-off corners, glare, or missing pages. Non-EU passport holders need to send every page, blank ones included, because the stamps are what show your Schengen stays. You will also be asked why you need the NIE; the official forms themselves, the EX-15 and the Tasa 790-012, are prepared for you.

Is the EX-15 the correct NIE form?

Yes, EX-15 is the standard form for NIE assignment and certificates. EU citizens registering residence use EX-18. Non-EU residents applying for a TIE residence card use EX-17. Using the wrong form can delay or invalidate the application. See the EX-15 form guide.

How do I book an NIE appointment in Spain?

If you apply through e-residence, booking the appointment is part of the service — it is scheduled for you with the competent police station (Comisaría de Policía). If you apply on your own, appointments (cita previa) are booked through the official channels of the relevant office; availability varies by city and season, and some offices release slots at set times. See the NIE appointment guide for preparation notes.

How do I start with e-residence?

Choose a package — Basic, Priority or VIP — and order on the NIE order form. Two links then arrive by email, for identity verification and the application form, and the team checks your documents and your reason for the NIE before anything is filed in Spain.

What is the difference between the Basic, Priority and VIP packages?

Speed, not scope. All three cover the same work: preparing and completing your documentation and application file, scheduling the appointment with the competent Comisaría de Policía, submitting the application where representation is legally permitted — or supporting you at your own appointment where it is not — and sending you the issued certificate. What differs is how quickly your file is handled. Postal delivery of the original certificate, online notarization of the Power of Attorney with apostille, and the FNMT digital certificate are add-ons you can choose with any package. See the NIE cost breakdown.

How can I get an NIE faster?

Choose a faster package and send a complete file at the start. Priority and VIP handle your file faster than Basic, with the same scope. Beyond that, speed depends on appointment availability, the route chosen, document readiness and whether the office asks for clarification — a clean scan of every required passport page up front avoids the most common delay. No provider can guarantee a fixed date. See the fast-track NIE options.

How can I check the status of my application?

Each application is tracked under the order reference emailed to you when you order, and support can tell you which stage it has reached — document checks, the appointment, submission or issue. If you added the order to Apple Wallet at checkout, the pass shows the live status too. Because timing depends on appointment availability, a stage is a more reliable answer than a date.

Do I need the FNMT digital certificate as well?

For most people, yes — it is what turns the NIE from a number into something you can use. The NIE identifies you; the FNMT certificate, issued by Spain's Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, is what lets you act: identify yourself to Spanish public administration online, sign documents with a legally binding electronic signature, file and pay taxes, and request official certificates without going to an office. If you do not live in Spain, it is the difference between holding a number and being able to do anything with it from abroad. It can be added to your NIE order and is processed fully remotely. See Spain electronic signature.

Can I open a Spanish bank account with the NIE?

Yes — the NIE is what Spanish banks use to identify a foreign account holder, and remote account opening is available as a separate service with a partner bank. The requirements differ from the NIE application itself: banks generally ask for a scanned passport and proof of address, and documents not in Spanish may need translation. See opening a Spanish bank account remotely.

Can e-residence guarantee my NIE will be approved?

No provider can guarantee approval in every case because the decision depends on Spanish authorities and the quality of the application file. e-residence can help prepare the documents, select the route, manage the process, and reduce avoidable errors.

Is there a refund if I cancel or my NIE cannot be obtained?

It depends on how far the work has gone. If you cancel before you have provided your documents or before an appointment is confirmed, the fee is refunded in full. Once the application has been prepared or the appointment scheduled, half the fee is refunded, because that work has already been done; the same applies if the application is refused after that point. Once the certificate has been obtained and delivered, the fee is not refundable. The full terms are in section 4.2.1 of the Terms of Service.

16 · After your NIE

What to Do After Getting Your NIE?

Reviewer and Sources

Reviewed by: E-Residence Team · Last updated:

Spanish NIE procedures, appointment availability, and document practices can vary by office, consulate, and applicant profile. Always check official sources and obtain case-specific advice before submitting documents.

Official sources

  • Dirección General de la Policía / Policía Nacional — NIE procedures and forms
  • Sede Electrónica Policía Nacional — Tasa 790-012
  • Sede Electrónica Policía Nacional — Verificación de documentos con CSV
  • Cita previa portal — appointment booking
  • BOE — Spanish legal texts (Real Decreto 1155/2024)
  • Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores — consular and sworn translation information