The NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) is Spain's personal and unique identification number for foreigners. It is used for tax, banking, property and employment matters. EU citizens moving to Spain normally receive it when they register as residents; others request it with form EX-15 at a Spanish consulate, immigration office or police station.
It depends on
Residents receive the number through their EU registration or residence procedure, while non-residents with economic, professional or social interests request it separately.
From abroad you apply through a Spanish consulate; in Spain at an Oficina de Extranjería or police station, usually with a prior appointment (cita previa).
Non-EU nationals authorised to stay longer than six months also receive a physical card, the TIE, which carries the NIE.
Who needs it
Anyone who moves to Spain needs an NIE, as do many people who never move there: property buyers, heirs to Spanish assets, company directors and anyone who must file Spanish taxes. EU citizens from Germany who plan to stay longer than three months normally obtain the number when they apply for the EU registration certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión). Non-EU nationals usually receive it automatically during their visa or residence procedure. A separate request with form EX-15 is mainly for non-residents with an economic, professional or social reason, or for people who need the number before they move, for example to sign a purchase contract.
How it works
- 1
Identify your route
EU citizens moving to Spain apply for the registration certificate with form EX-18; people who only need the number use form EX-15.
EX-18: within three months of entry - 2
Pay the fee
Pay fee form 790 code 012 at a bank before your appointment: €9.84 for an NIE assignment on request or €12 for the EU registration certificate.
- 3
Book and attend the appointment
Apply at the Oficina de Extranjería or police station of your province, or at a Spanish consulate if you are abroad, with your passport or ID, the form and proof of payment.
- 4
State your reason
For an EX-15 request, explain why you need the number, for example a property purchase, inheritance or employment.
- 5
Receive the decision
The authority should decide within five days; if there is no reply, the request is treated as refused and can be appealed.
What it costs
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) | Personal, unique and exclusive identification number for foreigners | 12 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| NIE assignment on request: fee (tasa 790 código 012) | €9.84 | 3 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| EU citizens: deadline to apply for the registration certificate | Within three months of entering Spain | 45 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| EU registration certificate: fee (tasa 790 código 012) | €12 | 3 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| EU citizens without work in Spain: health insurance | Public or private sickness insurance covering all risks in Spain | 5 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| TIE (foreigner identity card): who receives it and initial fee | Non-EU nationals authorised to stay more than six months; €16.08 initial fee | 13 | checked 15 October 2026 |
Common mistakes
- Missing the three-month window for the EU registration certificate.
- Arriving at the appointment without the paid 790-012 fee form.
- Confusing the NIE (the number) with the TIE (the card) or the EU registration certificate.
- Submitting an EX-15 request without a concrete reason for needing the number.
FAQ
Is the NIE the same as a residence permit?
No. The NIE is an identification number only. EU citizens who live in Spain must also hold the registration certificate, and non-EU nationals need a residence authorisation and, for stays longer than six months, a foreigner identity card (TIE). The number stays the same and must appear on documents the administration issues to you.
Can I get an NIE from Germany?
Yes. People with economic, professional or social interests in Spain can apply through a Spanish consulate abroad using form EX-15, paying the fee and explaining why they need the number. Processing times differ between consulates, so allow enough time if the number is needed for a property purchase, notary appointment or contract.
How do EU citizens get the NIE when moving?
EU citizens planning to stay longer than three months apply for the registration certificate with form EX-18 within three months of entry, at the Oficina de Extranjería or police station of their province. The fee is €12. Workers, the self-employed, students and people with sufficient resources and health insurance can register.
What is the difference between the NIE and the TIE?
The NIE is the number; the TIE (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) is the physical card issued to non-EU nationals with a visa or authorisation to stay in Spain for more than six months. The card shows the type of authorisation and carries the NIE. The fee for an initial TIE is €16.08.
Sources
- Ministerio del Interior, Documentación de las personas extranjeras (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Policía Nacional – Sede electrónica, Asignación de NIE a instancia del interesado (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Boletín Oficial del Estado, Orden PJC/617/2025, de 13 de junio (tasas de extranjería) (opens in a new tab)Law · checked 15 October 2026
- Policía Nacional – Sede electrónica, Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Punto de Acceso General – administracion.gob.es, Tu espacio europeo: obtener la residencia (updated 1 October 2026) (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
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