Fiscal Number (NIE)

NIE Number

Recent Spanish legislation makes it compulsory for anyone selling or buying property in Spain to have a NIE - Numero de Identidad de Extranjeros which, translated, means "Identity Number for Foreigners".

A modern NIE is like a certificate, a piece of paper with your name and number and a official stamp.

Until recently, foreign non-residents in Spain could buy or sell property without a NIE. Then, once it became necessary to have one, their legal representative could get one for them. But recent legislation passed in Spain has made it necessary for anyone paying money to the Spanish Inland Revenue (Hacienda) to have a Spanish identity number, and to obtain it in person.

To obtain an NIE you need go to the Extranjeros department of your nearest Policia Nacional station, fill in and sign an application form, and hand it in together with a recent passport sized photo, a photocopy of your passport and your original passport.

Obtaining a NIE prior to arrival in Spain

You are able to obtain a NIE prior to your arrival in Spain.To do this you need to have photocopies of your passport legalised by a UK Notary Public (who will witness the authenticity of the original document presented before him and attest that the copy is made of the original presented to him), and then legalised in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London (please go to http://www.fco.gov.uk for instructions).

You then need to employ a lawyer or ´gestoria´to process the application to the Spanish National Police offices.

(Information courtesy of Lawyers of Spain)