Do you want to settle in Spain for a long period of time? Or do you come to study for several years in the Spanish territory? Mobi Trainee answers all your questions concerning the administrative procedures that come along with the NIE number obtention.
What is the NIE number for in Spain?
The NIE number is important for identification. Indeed, it will be useful for:
- Opening a Spanish bank account
- Rent or buy a property
- Sign up for electricity, phone, gaz contracts
In Barcelona, the NIE number will be helpful to use the self-service bicycles available called Bicing.
Also, the NIE number allows you to have access to Spanish insurance if you do not have one yet once you arrive in Spanish territory. But be careful: the NIE number will only identify you as an individual in Spain but will not guarantee a legal residency.
Who has to have an NIE number?
If you are planning to stay longer than three months in Spain, the NIE number will be necessary to:
- Find a job in a Spanish company
- Work in Spain as a freelancer
- Study – unless you are an international student living in Spain or working in Spain for a company in another country. In these cases you can ask for your NIE number but it is not mandatory.
- If you want to join a member of your family living in Spain.
The procedures to get your NIE number
Go to the https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/index/index/language/en website.
- On the upper section, next to HOME, go to PROCEDIMEINTOS
- Then, click on the seventh section EXTRANJERIA
- Then, schedule an appointments by clicking on CITA PREVIA DE EXTRANJERIA
- Follow the steps to access the procedure
- Choose a date and time to schedule your appointment. It is possible that you will get your appointment in the outskirts of the city according to the different police stations’ availability.
- Print your convening and do not forget to be on time to your appointment.
There are two different ways of getting an NIE number:
Solution 1 – From your country of origin
You can get your NIE number from your country of origin through the Spanish embassy or consulate of your country.
You simply need to contact the closest embassy and they will inform you about the documents that you will need for the procedure.
Once your procedure is complete with all the documents, you will receive your NIE number in a matter of days. It is the easiest and better way to get your NIE number. Therefore, you will have to anticipate this administrative procedure just like any other.
Solution 2 – Getting your NIE number in Spain
You can also get your NIE number once you arrive in Spain. According to your country of origin, the procedures for the NIE number obtention may vary.
If you come from a European country: you need to schedule an appointment to start the administrative procedures. You need to make the appointment through the official Spanish government website. Fill the necessary information through the application form to schedule the appointment. The address where you can pick up your NIE document will be indicated.
Be careful: the appointments are generally overloaded. Try to make your appointment Monday morning, as there are new dates available every week. Be patient and refresh the website a couple of times!
It is also possible to pick up your NIE document at the closest police station without an appointment. Just be careful, as not every police station delivers the NIE document. Also, if you go without an appointment, the waiting time might be extremely long. Ask the closest police station for additional information about the NIE number and document if needed.
If you come from a non-European country, you will also need to go to the official Spanish government site. The only difference is that you do not have to click on EU Certificates while doing the online procedure. Once the different administrative steps are completed, you will not receive a NIE but a TIE number, which stands for “Tarjeta de Identidad Extranjera”, or Foreign Identification Card.
As stated on the official Barcelona website, this physical document has identification data, a picture, the NIE number and the type of residency or autorisation to stay in the Spanish territory.
What forms to fill to get your NIE number
Make sure that you have in hand the necessary documents to quickly complete the administrative procedure to get your NIE number. You will need:
- A copy of your passport or ID + the original
- Print the Ex-15 form twice and fill them out
You will also have to print the 790 model, which is a tax that costs 10 euros. You will have to pay this tax at any bank with this document. Once you have paid this tax, you will give the receipt during your NIE appointment.
The supporting documents you will need to obtain your NIE number
If you work for a Spanish company: you will have to join your employment contract and your registration to the Spanish social security and health insurance.
If you work in Spain as a freelancer: you will have to join your registration to the Spanish social security and health insurance as a freelancer.
If you are a student: you need to join your registration to the Spanish university, your European Health Insurance Card, and any document that proves your affiliation to the Erasmus programme, as well as a proof that you have the necessary incomes to live in the Spanish territory.
If you are joining a family member: a proof of your family relationship, as well as a proof that the family member you are joining works in Spain and a proof that you have the necessary incomes to live in the Spanish territory.
The NIE number is not a difficult procedure if you are well informed and if you anticipate all the administrative steps. Once you have your NIE number you may live freely and in a more comfortable way in the Spanish territory. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
