How to apply for a Spanish NIE from the UK or Ireland
Choose by where you live, not by the nearest appointment
To apply for a Spanish NIE from the UK or the Republic of Ireland, start with your home address. The consular route is tied to residence, and London asks you to check its district before contacting it. Nationality or a convenient appointment is not the starting point for choosing an office. Consular route · London district check
A NIE is an identifier, not residence permission. It identifies a foreigner with economic, professional or social interests connected with Spain. A consular NIE does not authorize residence in Spain or prove that you live there. If you are moving, working or studying, check the appropriate immigration route first. Official NIE explanation
For the wider context, see our guide to NIE applications at Spanish consulates outside Spain. Here, the focus is choosing among London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Which Spanish consular office covers your address?
| Where you live | Office | First step | Official district or instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London, South West, South East or Eastern England | London | Request an appointment by email; details below. | UK territorial list; NIE instructions |
| Wales, Isle of Man, North West except Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands or West Midlands | Manchester | Email first, then book after confirmation. | Manchester district; Appointment instructions |
| Scotland, Northern Ireland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear or Tees Valley | Edinburgh | Check the email-and-PDF instructions. | Edinburgh district; NIE instructions |
| Republic of Ireland, excluding Northern Ireland | Dublin | Use the appointment link, subject to the no-relocation/no-employment restriction. | Dublin NIE instructions |
Edinburgh’s official Tees Valley list names Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees, Hartlepool, Darlington and Middlesbrough. These are the consulates’ territorial labels: if your current council area or postcode does not map clearly to them, confirm your address with the office rather than guessing. Full Edinburgh district
Northern Ireland: start with Edinburgh, not Dublin
If you live in Northern Ireland, use the Edinburgh branch. Dublin’s NIE page expressly directs all Northern Ireland residents there, and Edinburgh lists Northern Ireland in its district. Do not treat the island of Ireland as one consular area. Dublin’s direction · Edinburgh’s jurisdiction
Is this a NIE-only request, or are you moving to Spain?
Consider two situations. You live abroad and need identification for a specific transaction in Spain: identify your office and explain the purpose of the request. That is a way to frame your question, not a guarantee that a particular transaction or document will be accepted. Purpose of a NIE · Residence-based route
If you plan to relocate, the distinction matters. Dublin limits this route to residents who do not plan to move to Spain or take employment there. It directs those moving or taking employment to a police appointment in Spain. Dublin’s scope and alternative route For that next step, use our guide to NIE appointments in Spain; booking a NIE appointment does not replace checking your visa or residence requirements.
Edinburgh excludes plans to move to Spain in the near future and warns that its consular NIE certificate is not valid for work, residence or study purposes. Do not use the certificate as a substitute for the appropriate immigration procedure. Edinburgh’s warning
For London or Manchester, ask the office about your specific relocation, work or study plans. Their published NIE pages do not set out Dublin’s same blanket restriction; that is neither permission nor a reason to apply through a different district. London instructions · Manchester instructions
If your route takes you to Alicante or Valencia, our city office guide helps distinguish NIE services from TIE and EU-registration offices. Confirm the correct procedure for your case before arranging a visit.
How to start your application at each office
London
Request an appointment at cog.londres.leg@maec.es. Prepare EX-15 completed but unsigned, with your reasons, documentary proof of need, proof of residence in the district and completed 790-012. London appointment and document instructions
For identity, London lists a valid original passport and biographical-page copy; EU nationals may use their original identity document with copies of both sides. For representation, it lists a certified applicant-document copy, the representative’s original ID and copy, and express power of attorney for the NIE application. London specifically requires the power to be apostilled. Do not export that wording to every office. London identity and representation rules
Manchester
Start at cog.manchester.citasvis@maec.es. The official appointment page requests your name and surname, a face photo holding your passport, passport number, email, telephone number, date of birth, application type (NIE), UK address, and copies of EX-15 and 790-012. Check the current official channel before sending identity documents. Manchester appointment instructions
After the confirmation email, use the NIE booking link on that page to book, change or cancel your appointment. You need one appointment per applicant. Follow the NIE section, not the separate BLS visa instructions. Manchester’s two-step route
The application checklist asks for signed EX-15 in original and one copy, stating your reasons; district-residence evidence; a valid original passport and biographical-page copy, or an EU national’s identity document with copies of both sides; and completed 790-012. Representation requires a certified applicant-document copy, representative ID in original and copy, and express power to submit the application. Confirm any further certification formalities with Manchester. Manchester NIE checklist
Edinburgh
The NIE page asks you to request an appointment by email with PDF documents. It does not display the destination in that paragraph; the separate official contact page lists cog.edimburgo.ven@maec.es for NIE matters. Read the two together before sending. NIE instructions · Official NIE contact
For this step, the current instructions specify a passport valid for more than six months and a copy; EU nationals may identify themselves with their identity document. They name Council Tax as address evidence and make documentary proof of the need for a NIE mandatory. Ask the office about alternatives if you cannot provide the named address evidence. Edinburgh appointment documents
The email stage uses PDFs. The appointment checklist separately lists signed EX-15 in original and one copy, the original passport and personal-data-page copy, and 790-012 completed on a computer and printed. Follow the office’s instructions for your identity-document category rather than treating an emailed scan as the appointment original. Edinburgh appointment checklist
Confirm who must attend before relying on a representative. The page gives an applicant-or-representative rule and lists a certified passport copy, representative ID and express power of attorney. But it also says, “You will need to visit our Edinburgh office in person.” Those instructions leave the attendance arrangements unclear; ask Edinburgh to confirm your case before arranging travel or representation. Representation and attendance wording
Dublin
The embassy publishes its consular-services address as 17A Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 HF53, Ireland. Check your appointment confirmation before traveling. Official address
Open the appointment link on the official NIE page. emb.dublin.cesp@maec.es is listed for information, not as the booking channel. First check that you meet Dublin’s no-relocation/no-employment scope described above. Dublin appointments and enquiries
Prepare signed EX-15 in original and one copy with your reasons, completed 790-012, and residence evidence. Dublin asks for a valid original passport or an EU national’s identity document, with color copies of the passport data page or both sides of the identity document. Dublin document checklist
Its English page lists GNIB/IRP evidence, valid until the end of the planned stay in Spain, and says UK nationals resident in Ireland should provide a driving licence or tax receipts. Do not read this as an IRP requirement for every Irish or EU applicant. If the examples do not cover your category, ask the embassy what will establish your residence. Dublin residence-evidence wording
Dublin permits an accredited representative, but the applicant or representative must attend. The representative route lists a certified applicant-document copy, the representative’s original ID and copy, and power expressly authorizing the NIE application. Check other power-of-attorney formalities with Dublin rather than assuming an exemption. Dublin attendance and representation rules
EX-15, 790-012 and the differences that matter
Use this comparison to spot differences, not as a replacement for the local checklist.
| Document or question | Shared basis | Local difference |
|---|---|---|
| EX-15 | All four offices require the form. | London: unsigned. Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin: signed. |
| Reason for requesting a NIE | Explain your purpose to the competent office. | London and Edinburgh expressly require documentary proof. Do not infer an exemption elsewhere. |
| Residence evidence | Match evidence to your residence and district. | London and Manchester require district proof; Edinburgh names Council Tax; Dublin gives category-dependent examples. |
| Identity | Check originals and copies for your route. | Edinburgh specifies passport validity of more than six months; Dublin specifies color copies. |
| 790-012 | All four refer to this form. | London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin publish local instructions. Check the current fee and payment directions there. |
Obtain the forms through your office’s current page. Before preparing a power of attorney, confirm certification, apostille or translation requirements with that office. Do not assume that an appointment requested by email means the application itself needs no attendance. Attendance requirement
Who assigns the NIE, and where does the result arrive?
The number is assigned by the General Commissariat for Immigration and Borders within Spain’s Directorate-General for the Police, not by the consulate. Assigning authority
London, Manchester and Edinburgh say the NIE is emailed to the applicant and request a notification email address on the form. Dublin’s Spanish page describes an electronically signed document received by the embassy and forwarded by email. Dublin delivery information Check the notification address carefully and follow your office’s instructions for your case.
Recheck your official route before you act
- Confirm your full address falls in the office’s district.
- Explain why you need the number, especially if moving, working or studying.
- Reopen the local checklist: signature, identity, residence evidence and documents supporting your reason.
- Confirm who must attend and any representative’s formalities before arranging travel.
- Enter the appointment route from the official page, review current fee and payment instructions, and check your notification email.
Use the current pages for London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Dublin, not another office’s checklist or a search snippet. If the booking system does not show a suitable slot, consult the office’s published guidance rather than assuming a release schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply in London if I live in Manchester’s district?
Choose the office for your residence, not a convenient appointment. London asks you to check its district before contacting it. If your address is in Manchester’s district, start with Manchester.
London district check · Manchester district
Does Northern Ireland use the Dublin NIE route?
No. Dublin’s official NIE page directs Northern Ireland residents to Edinburgh, whose district expressly includes Northern Ireland.
Dublin instructions · Edinburgh district
Can someone apply for me without any consular attendance?
The instructions require the applicant or an accredited representative to attend; representation is not a route with no attendance at all. Edinburgh also says you must visit its office in person, despite listing representation documents. Confirm its attendance arrangements before relying on a representative.
General attendance rule · Edinburgh wording · Dublin attendance rule
Should I sign EX-15 before the appointment?
Follow your office’s instructions: London asks for EX-15 completed but unsigned. Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin ask for a signed form. Do not apply one office’s signature rule to another.
London · Manchester · Edinburgh · Dublin
Can I use a consular NIE to move to Spain or start work there?
Do not treat a consular NIE as residence or work authorization. Dublin excludes applicants planning to move to Spain or take employment there. Edinburgh excludes near-future relocation plans and warns that its certificate is not valid for work, residence or study purposes. Check the appropriate immigration procedure separately.
NIE and residence · Dublin scope · Edinburgh warning
Do I collect the NIE from the consulate?
The published instructions describe delivery by email, not collection as the standard next step. London, Manchester and Edinburgh ask for a notification email on the form; Dublin describes forwarding the electronic document by email. Follow any specific directions your office gives you.
London · Manchester · Edinburgh · Dublin