An NIE number (número de identificación de extranjero/ NIE) is a national identification number and all EU and EEA nationals are required to have one in order to open a bank account, purchase a property and register with the tax authorities.

You apply for the NIE from the nearest National police station and you will need to fill in the correct form and hand in two passport photographs and a photocopy of your passport. The NIE should be ready for collection within a month of application.

Always remember to keep the stamped copy of the NIE application that they give you when you apply as you will need to provide this whe you come to collect your NIE certificate. You can only collect the certificate in person - you cannot have somebody else collect it for you.

You can download the NIE form by clicking here.

The NIE application form is in Spanish so below is how you should complete the form:

1. DATOS PERSONALES means PERSONAL DETAILS

1er Apellido: Surname
2º Apellido : N/A
Nombre : Christian Name
Fecha de Nacimiento: Date of birth
Lugar de nacimiento: Place of birth
Sexo : Gender “H” for Male and “M” Female. X cross the one applicable
Estado Civil: Status. S for single. C for married.
V. for widow and D for divorced.
País de nacimiento: Country of Birth
País de nacionalidad: Current Nationality
Domicilio en España: Address in Spain (if you have one, otherwise leave blank)

SECTION 2
2.1 Tick No residente (Non resident)
2.2 Write “Compra propiedad” (Buying a property)
2.3 Leave blank
2.3.1 Tick “Tarjeta de comunitario……” (EU passport or identity card)

3) DOMICILIO A EFECTOS DE NOTIFICACIONES
Leave blank