NIE Number in Spain – How to Apply Step by Step 2026

The NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the first thing you need to sort before buying a property, opening a bank account or signing a rental contract in Spain. It is a personal identification number for foreigners and is required for virtually all financial and legal matters in the country. Without a NIE you cannot complete a property purchase.

The good news: the application is simple and cheap. The government fee is 9.84 euros. If you apply directly in Spain you can have the number the same day. If you apply through the Spanish embassy in Stockholm it takes 2–4 weeks. In this guide we walk you through the entire process — from which documents you need to the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

What is a NIE number?

NIE stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero — the foreigner's identity number. It is a unique number assigned to every foreigner who has financial, professional or legal matters in Spain. The format looks like this: X-1234567-A (one letter, seven digits and a check letter).

Important to understand: the NIE number is not a residence permit. It does not give you the right to live or work in Spain. It is solely an identification number for administrative purposes — think of it as your Spanish personal number for tax matters.

The number is permanent. Once you have your NIE you keep it for life, regardless of whether you live in Spain or not. However, the paper document (certificate) you receive may have a validity period of three months — but the number itself remains the same.

Why do you need a NIE number?

In short: you need it for everything that involves money or contracts in Spain. Here are the most common reasons:

• Buying a property — Without a NIE you cannot sign the escritura (deed of purchase) at the notary or pay transfer tax
• Opening a bank account — All Spanish banks require a NIE to open an account
• Paying tax — Property tax (IBI), income tax and capital gains tax all require a NIE
• Signing contracts — Electricity, water, internet and home insurance are linked to your NIE
• Buying or registering a car — The traffic authority (DGT) requires a NIE
• Starting a business or working — The tax authority (Agencia Tributaria) requires a NIE
• Inheriting property — Inheritance tax and transfer require a NIE

If you are planning to buy a property on the Costa Blanca you should apply for a NIE as early as possible in the process — ideally 4–6 weeks before the planned purchase.

How do you apply for a NIE from Sweden?

You do not need to travel to Spain to get a NIE. The application can be made through Spanish diplomatic representations in Sweden.

Where do you apply?

• Spanish Embassy in Stockholm — Storgatan 35, 114 55 Stockholm (emb.estocolmo@maec.es)
• Spanish Honorary Consulate in Gothenburg — a consulate that handles NIE applications for western Sweden

Contact the embassy or consulate by email to book an appointment. An appointment is required — you cannot turn up without one.

Documents you need

1. Form EX-15 — completed in Spanish (available to download from the Policía Nacional website)
2. Passport — original plus a copy of the main page
3. Justification — a document explaining why you need a NIE (e.g. purchase contract, pre-agreement, bank confirmation)
4. Modelo 790 código 012 — payment receipt for the government fee (9.84 euros)

How long does it take?

Allow 2–4 weeks from when you submit the application. The embassy sends your application to Spain for processing, and you then collect your NIE certificate or have it sent to you.

How do you apply in Spain?

Applying in person in Spain is faster. Depending on the province you can get your NIE the same day or within 1–2 weeks.

Step 1: Book a cita previa (appointment)

All NIE processing in Spain requires an appointment — a so-called cita previa. You book via the official website Sede Electrónica (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es). Select your province, then "Policía — Certificados UE" or "Asignación de NIE".

Step 2: Pay Tasa 012

Download Modelo 790 código 012 from the Agencia Tributaria website. Fill in the form, print it and pay the fee (9.84 euros) at any Spanish bank. You must pay before your visit — keep the receipt.

Step 3: Visit the Policía Nacional or Oficina de Extranjeros

Bring all documents (see checklist below) to your booked appointment. Processing normally takes 15–30 minutes. In smaller towns such as Torrevieja you can often get the certificate immediately. In large cities like Madrid or Barcelona you may need to come back after 5–10 working days.

What documents are needed? (Complete checklist)

Here is everything you need to bring, whether you are applying in Sweden or Spain:

The EX-15 form in detail

The form is in Spanish and requires the following information:

• Full name and date of birth
• Nationality and passport number
• Address in Spain (can be a hotel address or your estate agent's office)
• Reason for application — tick "Intereses económicos" (economic interests) if you are buying a property
• Signature

The form is available to download from the Policía Nacional's Sede Electrónica (sede.policia.gob.es) under "Trámites de Extranjería".

How long does it take to get a NIE?

Processing time varies depending on where you apply:

The longest wait is often not the processing itself but getting an appointment. In large cities and popular coastal areas, the cita previa can be fully booked weeks in advance. Plan accordingly.

How much does it cost to apply for a NIE?

The NIE application itself is inexpensive. Here are the costs:

The fee of 9.84 euros is paid by completing Modelo 790 código 012 and paying at a Spanish bank. Banks do not charge an extra fee for the payment.

What is the difference between NIE, NIF and TIE?

The three abbreviations are easily confused. Here is the simple explanation:

NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) — your identification number as a foreigner. A number, not a physical ID card. You receive it on an A4 paper (certificate). All foreigners with matters in Spain need it.

NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal) — the tax number. For Spanish citizens the NIF is the same as their DNI number (national ID). For foreigners, the NIF is identical to your NIE. You therefore do not need to apply separately — if you have a NIE you automatically have your NIF.

TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) — the physical residence card in credit card format with photo, fingerprints and a chip. Issued to non-EU citizens who have a residence permit for longer than six months. As a Swedish EU citizen you do not need a TIE — you only need a NIE.

Can someone else apply on your behalf?

Yes — and it is more common than you might think, particularly among Swedes buying property in Spain who cannot travel there solely for the NIE application.

Gestoría or solicitor

A gestoría is a Spanish administrative agency specialising in bureaucratic matters. They can handle your entire NIE application — from booking an appointment to submission — for a fee of normally 100–200 euros. Many Swedish estate agents in Spain have contacts with gestorías and can recommend one.

Power of attorney (poder notarial)

For someone to apply on your behalf you need to issue a power of attorney — a poder notarial or poder especial. The power of attorney must:

1. Be notarised (witnessed by a notary public)
2. Be apostilled (Apostille stamp under the Hague Convention)
3. Be translated into Spanish by an authorised translator (if it is in Swedish)

The power of attorney should specifically state that the person has the right to apply for a NIE on your behalf. A general power of attorney is normally not sufficient.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Based on thousands of applications, there are a number of recurring problems. Here are the most common:

1. Unpaid Tasa 012

The most common mistake of all: you turn up to your appointment without the payment receipt. The fee must be paid in advance at a Spanish bank. The official will not accept card payment or cash on the spot. If you forget the receipt you will be sent home and have to book a new appointment.

2. Missing justification

You must be able to show why you need a NIE. A verbal "I'm going to buy an apartment" is not always enough. Bring written documentation: pre-agreement, reservation agreement, bank confirmation or similar. The clearer, the smoother.

3. Incorrectly completed EX-15

The form must be completed in Spanish. Common mistakes: incorrect nationality (write "Sueca", not "Svensk"), wrong address format or forgetting to sign. Check every field before you hand it in.

4. Expired passport

Your passport should ideally be valid for at least three months after the application date. If you have a passport that is about to expire — renew it first.

5. No cita previa

You cannot go to the police station without an appointment. All visits require a cita previa. During high season (May–September) on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, slots can be fully booked weeks in advance.

6. Forgetting copies

Always bring two copies of each document — EX-15, passport and justification. The official keeps one copy. If you have no copies with you you may be asked to go to the nearest copy shop and come back, and risk losing your slot.

Frequently asked questions about the NIE number in Spain

Last updated: April 2026. Fees and processing times may change — contact us for current information.