Spanish N.I.E numbers

• In Spain you cannot buy any property, purchase a car, boat, motorcycle or sign up for a service such as water supply, telephone etc unless you hold a valid NIE number. NIE stands for 'Numero de Identidad de Extranjero'. This simply means it is an identity card for foreign nationals.

What are NIE numbers for?

• The NIE numbers are used specifically by the Spanish Tax authority so they can process your annual returns if you are a non-resident property owner or a resident property owner. It will also assist the service provider companies who will require that you provide your passport, bank and NIE number details when you sign up.

NIE numbers for buying property:

• If you are buying property in Spain under two names such as man and wife then you will both need NIE numbers. Without an NIE number you will not be allowed to sign the deeds though there are temporary exceptions to this. If you are married to someone outside the EU then they will want to see the original marriage certificate. It is possible to still sign the deeds without one as you can provide your Abogado (Spanish Solicitor) with power of attorney. The certificate can be sent over to the (oficinas de extranjeros) later and the NIE number of your partner will be processed after 2-weeks.

Applying for an NIE number in Spain:

• If you are buying Spanish Property and applying in Spain then ensure that you process the application at least 30-days before the deeds of the property must be signed. It is no longer possible to apply for the NIE number from your Country of residence unless your Abogado does this under power of attorney.

• You need to apply at the immigration offices (oficinas de extranjeros) and these can be found in designated police stations in the area where you are buying the property. Your Abogado can provide assistance to you when you do this and it not uncommon for you to apply for your NIE numbers and sign the deeds to your property on the same day.

• You will need to provide 2 passport photographs of yourself, your passport (and photocopy) and the deeds of your property. If you are a non EU resident then you will have to make copies of your Spanish Visa. You should receive your NIE number after 2-weeks though this can be early or later.

• I would advise that you apply for your NIE number at least 4-weeks before you sign the deeds for you Spanish property. Processing the very same day as you sign your deeds can be very stressful. The queues can be quite long and it is not uncommon to be waiting many hours for your turn to apply. Do everything before hand will remove any problems so you can focus just on signing the deeds and nothing else on the day.