Are you a foreigner and do you need to be in possession of the citizen NIE? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about this important document: from its usefulness to how to obtain it. Take note!
What Is Citizen NIE?
We call the Foreigner Identity Number or NIE number Spain a personal, unique and non-transferable code that provides Spanish tax identification to foreign citizens. Thanks to this document, foreigners can carry out acts such as opening a bank account or signing an employment contract.
Being in possession of the citizen NIE is an obligation of all foreign citizens who stay for a period of more than 3 months in Spanish territory. Likewise, foreigners who maintain economic, professional or social relations with Spain will be entitled to obtain it.
The current structure of the NIE number Spain is made up of 9 elements. First, a letter (X or Y depending on the date of issue), seven figures and a control character. It can be requested both at the Foreigners Office and at the Consulate General of Spain. Initially, NIEs contained 8 numbers, but their length was shortened to match NIFs and CIFs (although this 10-character format is still valid).
How Many Types Of NIE Numbers Are There?
Permanent NIE
The permanent NIE is a certificate that allows you to reside in Spain for a period of time greater than 3 months. It will not be necessary to obtain it for community citizens (unless they need to carry out procedures in Spain that require tax identification). Its processing corresponds to the Foreigners Office closest to the home of the interested party.
Temporal NIE
The temporal NIE has a validity limited to 3 months. It is issued for those foreigners who are not going to reside in Spain but who need to carry out specific tax-relevant management in our country (eg: sign the sale of a house). It can be requested both at the Foreigners Office and at the Consulate General of Spain.
How To Get The Citizen NIE?
The interested party or their representative must submit the necessary documentation to the competent body and within the period established for it in accordance with Organic Law 4/2000, of January 11, and Royal Decree 557/2011, of April 20.
Requirements To Obtain The Citizen NIE
- Those foreign citizens who are residing in Spain irregularly cannot obtain the NIE.
- The applicant must inform the Spanish authorities of the reasons why he requests the issuance of the NIE.
- The reasons why the issuance of the NIE number Spain is claimed are limited to the economic, professional or social interests of the requesting foreign citizen.
- Have paid the fees derived from the assignment of the NIE before the resolution of the procedure occurs. To this end, form 012 must be presented at the request of the interested party.
What Documentation Must Be Submitted To Request The NIE Number Spain?
- Application form for NIE number Spain. This is the official form EX-15, which must be submitted in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the interested party.
- Photocopy of the complete passport, registration card or travel title. In the event that the applicant is a citizen of the EU, it will suffice to present their identity document.
- Notification of the economic, professional or social reasons that support the request for NIE number Spain.
Regarding the provision of foreign documents, it should be remembered that these must be translated into Spanish or the co-official language of the Autonomous Community where the application is submitted. Likewise, in the case of public documents, they must be legalized by the Spanish Consular Office of the issuing country or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Procedure To Follow
The interested foreign citizen, being able to do it personally or through a representative.
The NIE must be requested within 90 days of entering Spain. Consequently, it is advisable to request an appointment before traveling to Spanish territory.
- If it is presented in Spain, it can be done directly at the General Directorate of Police and the Civil Guard. You can also go to the Immigration Office or police station of the Province where the interested party has his domicile.
- If it is presented from outside Spain: at the Spanish diplomatic mission or consular office corresponding to the area of residence and addressed to the General Immigration and Borders Police Station.
Within 5 days from when the request was entered in the registry of the competent body for its processing.
Obtaining the citizen NIE should definitely become your highest priority. Consult a lawyer specialized in immigration to facilitate and speed up this bureaucratic process as much as possible.
