From abroad or in Spain
NIEs can be obtained at a Spanish consulate or in Spain, with different appointment realities in each case.
Immigration
NIE in Spain
The NIE is a foreigner identification number, not a permit. Nothing meaningful — a purchase, a company, a mortgage, an inheritance — can be signed without it, which makes it the first bottleneck in most files.
Who this is for
- Property buyers
- Company founders and shareholders
- Heirs to Spanish assets
- Anyone signing before a Spanish notary
By power of attorney
We frequently obtain NIEs for clients who are not in Spain, using a properly drafted and apostilled power of attorney.
Timing against your deadline
A reservation contract with a completion date and no NIE in hand is a common and avoidable problem.
Get legal guidance on your case.
A confidential consultation with a Spanish-qualified, English-speaking lawyer — in person in Madrid or by video.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the NIE the same as residency?
- No. The NIE is only an identification number for tax and legal acts. It grants no right to live or work in Spain.
- Does the NIE expire?
- The number itself is permanent. The certificate evidencing it may have a validity period for certain purposes, which we handle where relevant.