Identification
How to get your NIE
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is required for almost everything in Spain — renting, banking, working and more.
This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.
Overview
Your NIE is a personal, unique identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It doesn't grant any right to reside or work by itself — it's an identifier used across almost every other administrative process, from opening a bank account to signing a lease.
Requirements
- You must have a genuine economic, professional or social reason for requesting it (e.g. buying property, opening a bank account, starting a job)
- You must book an appointment (cita previa) — either at a Spanish consulate abroad or at a designated police station/immigration office in Spain
Step-by-step process
- Book your cita previa online through the appointment system (consulate if applying from abroad, or Policía Nacional / Oficina de Extranjería if applying in Spain)
- Complete and print form EX-15
- Pay the associated fee (Modelo 790, código 012) at a bank and bring the stamped receipt
- Attend your appointment with your documents
- Collect your NIE certificate — sometimes issued the same day, sometimes by post or a second visit
Required documents
- Valid passport (original and photocopy)
- Completed EX-15 form
- Proof of the reason for your request (e.g. property purchase paperwork, job offer, university admission letter)
- Paid Modelo 790 fee receipt
Common mistakes
- Turning up without a booked appointment — walk-ins are generally not accepted
- Paying the Modelo 790 fee after the appointment instead of before
- Providing a reason for the request that doesn't match any supporting document
Practical tips
- Book your appointment as early as possible — slots in large cities can be scarce
- Bring more supporting documentation than you think you need
- Keep your NIE certificate safe — you'll be asked to show or quote it repeatedly for months afterwards
How Tuchati can help
If appointment slots are fully booked in your area, if your paperwork doesn't fit the standard form, or if you'd simply rather not navigate the appointment system yourself, a Tuchati One Request handles the preparation and guidance end to end.