The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a unique identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It is given to foreign individuals who, for family, economic, work, social, tax, or administrative reasons, need to be registered with the public administration. This identification number is usually generated and assigned by the Spanish National Police (Policia Nacional). However, in the case of non-EU citizens, it can also be assigned by the Delegacion de Gobierno, or, if required for tax purposes, it can be issued (temporarily, in the form of a “temporary NIF«) by the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria).
Excluding non-EU citizens, for whom the NIE is generally associated (except for specific cases) with a residency permit, which involves a more complex application process, we will refer here to cases related to citizens coming from European Union countries.
As mentioned above, the NIE is an acronym for «Número de Identificación de Extranjero,» which means it is a unique and permanent number that identifies a foreign citizen in Spanish territory, valid nationwide regardless of the city/province where the police authority (or the Spanish consulate abroad) issues it.
Firstly, it is important to clarify some concepts to dispel the many urban legends that circulate online, especially on social networks, which can confuse those who are going through the administrative process of obtaining the NIE.
The NIE is, indeed, a number, not a document, and it uniquely and PERMANENTLY identifies a foreign citizen in Spain. Once assigned, the NIE never changes and remains valid for life. Therefore, the NIE is not a document but a number that can be included on various types of supporting documents, depending on the reasons and the nationality of the applicant. These supporting documents can include a visa affixed to a passport, a residence permit (T.I.E.), a «Certificado de no residente,» a «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea,» a «Certificado de residencia permanente de ciudadano de la Unión Europea,» or a «Certificado de concordancia,» among others.
What can vary is the type of supporting document on which the NIE is listed. For citizens of the European Union, the most common documents issued by the police authorities are the «Certificado de no residente» (resembling a white A4-sized sheet often called «white NIE») and the «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea» (a green pocket-sized card made of cardboard, often called «green NIE»).
To sum up, the NIE is a number, not a document, and it has no colors. The visual aspect (a white sheet or a green card) belongs to the supporting document on which the NIE is listed.
A widely spread urban legend concerns the alleged expiration of the «Certificado de no residente» after 3 months. In reality, this document does NOT have an expiration date, just like any certificate issued to European Union citizens. None of the documents/certificates issued to EU citizens have an expiration date. In the past (but not anymore), some «Certificado de no residente» documents used to state that they were valid for 3 months. This happened in specific situations, such as when a non-resident EU citizen needed to identify themselves with an NIE for a specific operation with the Spanish public administration (e.g., purchasing a property). However, this practice is no longer common, and most of the documents issued no longer display an expiration date (except in very few cases, such as documents issued by Spanish consulates abroad). The NIE itself, as a unique identification number, remains valid for life.
A similar situation applies to the «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea» (green residency card). There is no expiration after 5 years, as this document is also permanent. After 5 years, a person may become eligible for a «Certificado de residencia permanente de ciudadano de la Unión Europea,» which means a different document can be requested without the need to prove the same requirements again. The term «permanente» in this context refers to the fact that a duplicate card does not require the individual to provide the same documentation needed for the initial «Certificado de registro,» as it is already permanently registered in the system.
In summary, the NIE does not expire, does not have colours, and is permanent.
Now, let’s address the question: How can you obtain the NIE?
For non-EU citizens, there are rare and specific cases where an «Asignación de NIE» (NIE assignment) can be requested from the foreigner’s country of residence by visiting a Spanish consulate. However, for most cases, the «Certificado de no residente» (white NIE document) must be requested in person at the foreigners’ office of a Spanish National Police station in the province where the individual’s social, work, economic, or family interests are located. Alternatively, a representative acting as a legal representative with a special notarial power of attorney can request it on their behalf, which must be issued by a Spanish notary or, if issued by a foreign notary, accompanied by a legally certified translation into Spanish and an Apostille.
The «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea» (green residency card) can only be issued in person at the foreigners’ office of a Spanish National Police station in the province where the individual’s social, work, economic, or family interests are located, and it cannot be requested by a representative with a notarial power of attorney.
The requirements for obtaining the NIE can vary depending on the type of document requested (a «Certificado de no residente» or a «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea»). Generally, the NIE is assigned when a foreign citizen can demonstrate the need for the Spanish administration to identify them for family, social, economic, work, tax, or administrative purposes (documentarily). For example, in the case of purchasing a property, a private contract or notarial deed can be used as evidence. For opening a bank account (though many Spanish banks do not require an NIE for non-resident accounts), a letter from the bank requesting the NIE for account opening can be presented. Similar documentation can be used for the acquisition of company shares or the establishment of a company.
For obtaining the «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea,» additional requirements may apply, such as demonstrating a work contract with a duration of over 3 months (as up to 3 months, a work contract can be signed with a passport or EU national identity card, along with the NUSS or Número de Seguridad Social – a number required for working in Spain). Specific conditions specified in the work contract must meet the parameters needed for the issuance of the «Certificado de registro,» usually revised annually.
There are cases where an «Asignación de NIE» can be obtained without having a job, such as demonstrating sufficient bank liquidity (established annually according to IPREM tables) and having a private health insurance policy without copayments («SIN COPAGO»), or presenting an S1 document issued by the health authorities of an EU member country (in the absence of private insurance). It is also possible for family members (spouse, partner, child, or sibling) of an EU citizen already residing in Spain and holding a «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea,» to obtain a residency certificate, provided they meet the minimum economic requirements for their support (complete health coverage and minimum bank liquidity) or, in the absence of these, by demonstrating regular employment registered with the Spanish social security system.
After obtaining the NIE («Certificado de no residente» or «Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea»), it is not necessary to carry the document with you, as it is not considered a valid form of identification. Whenever the NIE is required, it must be presented along with an original and valid identity document (national identity card or passport). It is recommended to keep photocopies or scanned copies of the documents issued by the Spanish National Police.
Normally, your NIE will not appear in the records of the Spanish public administration (unless you previously interact with public offices, e.g., for work contract registration or payment of fines) until you expressly request its registration («activación del NIE») in the central registry, known as «censo,» of the Agencia Tributaria, by submitting the «Modelo 030» form.
I have a NIE and I registered it in the national tax registry: what can I do now? Your NIE is now in the central archives, and can be used for all the purposes for which a NIE is requested from a foreign citizen.
BarcelonaGlobalService strongly recommends, as first steps, to activate a ‘Certificado Digital’ and obtain a NUSS, or Número de Seguridad Social (It is the registration number with the Spanish Social Security, which is indispensable for working in Spain. It can also be provided directly by the company that will proceed with the recruitment or directly requested by the person concerned using his or her passport or national identity card, however having an NIE and a ‘Certificado digital’ will make this process much easier and quicker).
P.S.: I would like to conclude by debunking one of the many urban legends that unfortunately die hard, but have been making a comeback lately:
– Some people claim that in order to be able to work, it is essential to have a “Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Union Europea” (EU resident green card) and that the simple blank sheet (“Asignacion de NIE” or “Certificado de no residnete”) cannot be used for work purposes: ABSOLUTELY FALSE!!!
– Contrary to what many unfortunately say, in order to be able to apply for the “Beckham Law” you can very well have a simple “Certificado de no residente” (blank sheet), after all, the special regime for returnees was designed precisely for non-residents
Do you need professional assistance in obtaining the NIE? For more information, contact BarcelonaGlobalService at francesco@barcelonaglobalservice.com. (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barcelonaglobalservice; Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcnglobalservice/ ; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barcelonaglobalservice/ ).
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