NIE application for Spain: which of the three routes suits you best?
No NIE, no Spanish property purchase, no bank account, no utility contract. Three routes for a Spanish NIE application compared, step by step.
NIE application in Spain: which route suits you best, consulate, police station or power of attorney?
You can apply for the NIE at a Spanish consulate, in person at a police station in Spain, or through a representative under power of attorney. You need a valid passport, the paid fee and the NIE form for Spain (EX-15). In person it takes 1 to 2 days, at a consulate 2 to 6 weeks.
What is the NIE?
You apply for the NIE at a Spanish consulate, in person in Spain or by power of attorney, with a passport, form EX-15 and the fee.
How do I apply for the NIE? Three routes: a Spanish consulate in Germany, in person in Spain (Comisaría, appointment via Cita Previa), or by power of attorney. You need a passport, form EX-15 and the Modelo 790 Tasa 012 fee. What we charge.
What does it cost and how long? State fee around €9.84. In Spain, in person, 1–2 days, at a consulate 2–6 weeks, by power of attorney about 2–3 weeks (plus €200–600 service fee). What we charge.
No residence needed — the NIE is for non-residents
The NIE is for non-residents and creates neither residence nor tax liability — the number itself is for life.
How do I make my NIE application for Spain as a foreign buyer? You can make your NIE application for Spain at a consulate, in person in Spain or through a representative — the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your Spanish foreigner's tax number, and without it there is no property purchase, no bank account and no utility contract.
Foreign buyers obtain it in three ways: in person at a Spanish immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) or police station, at a Spanish consulate in their home country, or through a representative on site under power of attorney.
You need form EX-15, a valid passport, a documented reason (such as the intended purchase) and the paid fee (Modelo 790). The NIE is not a residence permit and does not expire; it only identifies you for tax.
Plan it early: without the NIE the bank cannot complete your financing application and the notary cannot execute the deed.
In practice the NIE can be arranged in parallel with the financing enquiry, so both are ready for the notary appointment — purchase and financing from one source.
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) is the Spanish identification number for foreigners. It is mandatory for every property purchase, every mortgage, every bank account opening and every electricity/water utility contract. Without an NIE, nothing happens in Spain. It is valid for life and creates neither residence nor tax liability in Spain.
NIE Spain application: the three routes compared
The consulate takes 2 to 6 weeks, the police station in Spain normally 1 to 2 days with personal attendance, and a notarised power of attorney is the only way to obtain the NIE fully remotely.
- Spanish consulate in your country (Route 1 · consulate): An appointment at one of the Spanish consulates general. Processing time 2–6 weeks. State fee currently around €9.84 (Modelo 790 Tasa 012). Low effort for buyers with no planned trip to Spain.
- Directly at the Policía Nacional (Route 2 · in Spain): An appointment at the competent police station (Comisaría de Policía Nacional) at your location in Spain. Considerably faster (normally 1–2 days), but requires personal attendance. Same state fee, currently around €9.84.
- By notarised power of attorney (Route 3 · power of attorney (Poder)): A notarised special power of attorney for a lawyer or gestor in Spain — the only way to obtain the NIE fully remotely. Service-provider costs €200–600 depending on the provider, plus the state fee. Recommended if you do not travel to Spain before the notary appointment.
What do I need to bring?
Bring your passport or national ID card (original and copy), application form EX-15, a justification, the fee receipt Modelo 790 Tasa 012 and, for route 3, a notarised power of attorney.
Passport or national ID card (original and copy); Application form EX-15; Justification — usually the property pre-contract or reservation agreement; Fee receipt Modelo 790 Tasa 012; For route 3: notarised power of attorney (Poder).
A note on the “fully online” myth: A genuine online application via a digital certificate technically exists — but it itself requires an NIE (a chicken-and-egg problem). In practice: book the appointment online, attend in person or by power of attorney.
Self-disclosure form to fill in
For the bank enquiry we need your key data. Fill in the bilingual self-disclosure form (DE/EN, incl. NIE) — the basis of all financing in Spain.
Free · no tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get the Spanish NIE application form?
The NIE application form is EX-15, handed in with the fee form Modelo 790-012 (about €9.84) at the Oficina de Extranjería or Policía Nacional, or via the Spanish consulate. Status 2026, source: spanienberater.de.
Can I apply for an NIE in Spain online without going in person?
Not in practice. A genuine online application via a digital certificate technically exists, but it requires an NIE itself. What you can do is book the appointment online and then attend in person or use a notarised power of attorney, which is the only way to obtain the NIE fully remotely.
How long does the NIE application take?
In Spain, in person, 1–2 days. Consulate abroad 2–6 weeks. Power-of-attorney route approx. 2–3 weeks.
What does the NIE number cost?
State fee (Modelo 790 Tasa 012), currently around €9.84. The amount is revised periodically by the Spanish administration — the figure on your generated form is the binding one, not a flat published rate. With power of attorney, €200–600 service fee in addition.
Do I need residence in Spain for an NIE?
No. The NIE is available to non-residents and creates neither residence nor tax liability.
Does the NIE number expire?
The number is for life. The certificate can expire after 3 months — re-issuance with the same number is possible.
Can I apply for the NIE entirely online?
Fully online only with a digital certificate, which itself requires an NIE. In practice: book the appointment online, attend in person or by power of attorney.
Who helps with the NIE application?
Lawyers and gestores in Spain offer the power-of-attorney route. we can arrange a lawyer if needed — as part of our mortgage coordination package.
Mortgage and purchase in Spain from a single source
We guide you from the NIE application through the bank and the arras contract to the Escritura — with a lawyer and gestor on the ground.
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Download the self-disclosure form (PDF)
Self-disclosure form for a mortgage in Spain or Portugal: all 11 sections and 65 fields on the page, fillable DE/EN version free by email.
Content by Siegfried Perini — local brand representative since 2019, active in real estate since 1992, entered in the German intermediary register (§ 11a GewO) as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice. Point of contact for German-speaking buyers in Spain and Portugal. Brokerage by Olga Nikushkina, mortgage credit intermediary under § 34i German Trade Regulation (GewO); in Portugal through a locally licensed intermediary.