Get a Spanish NIE Number in the UK

The Spanish NIE number (Numero de Identificacion de extranjeros) is a foreigner's identification number and is required by anyone with an economic interest in Spain who is not a Spanish national. It is also a tax number and is required in all dealings with the Spanish tax authorities, such as, the buying and selling of property, operating a business, mortgage applications, bank account, driving licence applications, on inheritance and many other transactions.

For anyone looking to buy property in Spain, the NIE number is an essential requirement. Many people do not even realise they need one, usually as a result of being poorly advised. A separate NIE will be required for each named purchaser before they can sign the deeds of sale (escritura) in the presence of a Spanish Notario.

Application for the NIE number should ideally be made in advance of finding a property. Delays in obtaining the NIE can have serious consequences and will almost certainly result in delayed completion dates. For this reason we always recommend that the NIE number is obtained at the first possible opportunity.

The NIE document itself is an A4 sized paper bearing your name, date of birth, your NIE number and an official stamp. The NIE always starts with "X" or "Y" and is followed by seven numbers and a letter.

The NIE number application form can be obtained from a Comisaria de Policia (national police station) in Spain, or downloaded from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior's website; you can also get an NIE application form in the UK from the Spanish Property solicitors at Pannone LLP.

Your NIE application form will then require processing by one of the following methods:

• Applying in person at the Departmento de Extranjeros (Foreigners' Department) in the national police station most closely located to where you have or intend to have your property in Spain. This method may necessitate each applicant making 2 trips to Spain; the first (after completing complex application forms) involves waiting for several hours in a long queue in order to submit his/her application in person before being given a receipt and being told to return to the station (usually 2-4 weeks) later to collect the NIE document.
• Applying in person at the Spanish Embassy or one of the 3 Consulates in the UK, located in Manchester, London or Edinburgh. Strict procedures apply; this process is currently taking an average of 3-4 months once the signed NIE application form and other documents have been stamped and sent to Madrid for processing.
• By power of attorney signed by the applicant before a UK notary public and then an application being made in Spain on their behalf with a lawyer or agent's assistance.

The traditional process of obtaining a NIE, though relatively easy, can be time consuming, whichever option is taken. In response to this, Pannone LLP has set up a fixed price NIE number express service to help clients obtain a NIE number in Spain with a lawyer or agent's assistance with as little fuss as possible.

We charge a fixed fee of £275 +VAT (plus costs / expenses) for a single person or £400 +VAT (plus costs / expenses) for a married couple. We can usually help you get a NIE Number, without the need to travel to Spain, in only 3 - 4 weeks, so that you can buy your Spanish property and avoid any potential additional delays.

To start the application process for your NIE either download Pannone's NIE information form (pdf) and fax it to us on 0161 909 1494 or email spain@pannone.co.uk.

Call 0844 980 1432 to speak with a Lawyer that specialises in Spanish NIE Numbers in the UK or send an email. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.