Documents in Spain · updated 01.08.2026

NIE in 2026: how to get your foreigner ID number — step by step

Updated: 1 August 2026 · Verified by the EuroGarant team against official sources (Policía Nacional, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

We take on complex cases — even if you don't formally meet the criteria

We don't turn people away: we find the right ground and route for your situation — including past refusals, non-standard documents and complicated circumstances. Money-back guarantee: we work under a contract with staged payment tied to results, and if the application is refused we refund our service fee.

In short: The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a foreigner's personal ID number — without it you cannot open a bank account in Spain, sign any serious contract or complete a single Extranjería (immigration) procedure. You can obtain it at the police by cita previa (prior appointment) (form EX-15 + the tasa 790-012 fee), through a consulate abroad, or by power of attorney. By itself, an NIE does not give you the right to live in Spain. How it differs from the TIE card — briefly below and in detail in the article “NIE and TIE: What's the Difference”.

~€10state fee, tasa 790-012 (2025–2026 reference: €9.84)

Same daythe number is often assigned when you file in person in Spain

Oncethe number is assigned for life and never changes

3 mo.how “fresh” banks and notaries usually want your NIE certificate to be

What an NIE Is and Why You Need It

The NIE is the identifier by which Spanish government bodies, banks and notaries “see” you. It is assigned once, for life, and does not change when your status changes. Don't confuse the two: NIE is a number, TIE is a card (more details — our guide to the TIE card).

	NIE	TIE
What it is	a foreigner ID number	the plastic residence card (showing the same NIE number)
Who can have it	tourists and non-residents	only residence permit holders
Right to live in Spain	does not grant it	confirms an approved residence authorisation

Typical tasks where you can't get by without an NIE:

Opening a bank account and getting a tax number
Buying or long-term renting of property, transactions before a notary
Registering a business or as self-employed (autónomo)
Any Extranjería procedure: student card, family reunification, residence permit renewal
Setting up utilities, internet, insurance

Option 1. In Spain — Through the Police

Cita previa. Book through the government's sede electrónica (online portal) — the “Policía — Asignación de NIE” procedure. In big cities free slots vanish within minutes: log in first thing in the morning and don't ignore neighbouring provinces.
Documents. A completed form EX-15, your passport + copies of all relevant pages, a document supporting your stated reason (for example, a preliminary contract or a bank letter), and the paid state fee.
State fee. Form 790 code 012 — filled in on the police website and paid at a bank; expect around €10 (in 2025–2026 — 9,84 €; the exact amount is generated automatically by the impreso payment form).
Issuance. If your file is in order, the number is often assigned the same day or within a few working days — you receive an A4 sheet with the number (not a card).

A note on the justification: in form EX-15 you must state economic, professional or social interests — and attach a document confirming that reason. A mismatch between what is written and what is attached is the most common reason files get turned away at the appointment.

Option 2. Through a Spanish Consulate

If you are not in Spain yet, you request the NIE at the Spanish consulate for your place of residence: the same EX-15, passport and justification. The consulate forwards the request to Spain, so it takes longer — usually from a couple of weeks. Russian-speaking applicants should note: documents not in Spanish (certificates, powers of attorney) will need a sworn translation, and consulates also work by prior appointment — plan ahead.

Option 3. By Power of Attorney

You can obtain an NIE through a representative in Spain under a notarised power of attorney (for documents from Russia — with an apostille and a sworn translation). A practical option if you cannot come in person but need the number for a transaction or to open an account.

Not sure which option is yours? Ask a lawyer

Timelines, Certificate “Freshness” and NIE for Children

The number never expires. Once you have an NIE, you use it for life, in any status — from tourist to permanent resident.

The certificate must be “fresh”. Banks and notaries often want the NIE assignment certificate to be no older than three months. That doesn't mean the number has “expired” — if needed, you simply request a new certificate with the same number.

Children — through their parents. You will need the birth certificate with an apostille and a sworn translation, plus the parents' documents.

No renewal needed. An NIE is not cancelled through disuse: if a number was ever assigned to you, quote that same number in any new procedure — a duplicate number will cause confusion in the registers.

Common Mistakes When Applying for an NIE

An unpaid or incorrectly completed tasa 790-012 — without the receipt the file is not accepted
The reason stated in EX-15 does not match the attached documents
Passport copy missing some of the required pages
Expecting the NIE to “legalise” your stay — it doesn't, it is only a number
Buying “urgent citas” from resellers — you risk losing money; slots appear regularly

You Have an NIE — What Next

If your goal is not a one-off transaction but a life in Spain, the NIE is only the first step. Next you need a ground for residence: DNV, NLV, a student residence permit or family reunification. Don't forget empadronamiento either — the town-hall address registration that confirms your address and how long you have lived there. The full map of residence grounds is in the guide “How to Get a Spain Residence Permit in 2026”, and for a quick estimate try the calculator. Decisions on status are made by the government authority; we help prepare your documents so there is nothing to fault. Our support is paid in stages, on a 50–25–25 scheme — details just below.

Once you have your NIE, the next step is booking a toma de huellas (fingerprinting) appointment for the TIE card: our detailed guide to booking a cita previa at extranjería will help you avoid mistakes and not miss the allotted deadline.

How We Work: Turnkey with 50–25–25 Payment

We don't split our support into tariff tiers: there is one format — “turnkey”, from diagnosing your situation to the document in your hands. The fee is split into three parts tied to the progress of your case:

Stage 150%Upfront paymentPaid at the start — we take the case on: strategy, preparing the file, booking appointments.

Stage 2 · +25%75%On completion of the workAnother quarter — once the work is done and the file has been submitted to the authority.

Stage 3 · +25%100%After the resultThe final quarter — only once the goal is achieved: the number assigned, the status approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an NIE in Spain in 2026?

Three routes: 1) in person in Spain — by cita previa at the Policía Nacional or Oficina de Extranjería with form EX-15, your passport, a justification of the reason and the paid tasa 790-012 fee; 2) through a Spanish consulate in your country of residence; 3) through a representative under a power of attorney. When filing in person in Spain, the number is often assigned the same day or within a few working days.

How much does an NIE cost?

The state fee for assigning an NIE is paid using form 790 code 012 — around €10 (the 2025–2026 reference figure is €9.84; the exact amount is generated automatically by the payment form on the police website). It is a government fee and is the same for all applicants.

How is an NIE different from a TIE?

An NIE is a number: a foreigner's personal identifier, assigned once and never changed; it does not grant the right to reside. A TIE is the plastic residence card issued to residence permit holders; it shows the same NIE number. You can have an NIE without a residence permit, but you cannot get a TIE without an approved residence authorisation.

Why would a Russian need an NIE without a residence permit?

You need an NIE for almost any legally significant action in Spain: opening a bank account, buying or renting property under a proper contract, registering a business, paying taxes, signing up for services, handling an inheritance. It also appears in every Extranjería procedure — from a student card to family reunification.

What justification should I give in form EX-15?

The law requires you to state economic, professional or social interests: for example, opening a bank account, buying property, signing a contract. The wording must match your supporting documents — a mismatch between the stated reason and the attached papers is a typical reason a file is not accepted.

Does an NIE give the right to live in Spain?

No. An NIE is only an identifier for paperwork; it does not legalise your stay and does not replace a visa or residence permit. The right to live in Spain comes from a residence authorisation (type D visa, residence permit), confirmed by a TIE card. If your goal is a status, start by choosing the right ground.

Need an NIE and a legalisation plan? In 15 minutes we'll work out which of the three routes gets you the number fastest and which residence ground is realistic in your case. The first review commits you to nothing; after that — turnkey support with 50–25–25 payment.

Review my case

Official sources: Policía Nacional — NIE assignment · Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (consulates) · Ministry of Inclusion and Migration