- An NIE number translates literally to (Number Identification Foreigner) and is basically a number to track what we do; as passport numbers can change all expats are required to get an NIE number for all fiscal or legal matters in Spain. Most commonly this means when you purchase your property, sign for a mortgage, open a bank account and buy a car.
- Spanish citizens have a NIF number (Fiscal Identification Number / Número de Identificación Fiscal) which is their DNI (National Identity Document/ Documento Nacional de Identitidad) followed by a letter.
NIE Numbers and Residencias
Big brother is watching you!
What is an NIE number? (Número Identificación Extranjero)
Getting an NIE Number from the UK
- It is possible to apply for your Spanish NIE numbers in the UK, it is more expensive and does take more time, and you will need to go in person to the Spanish embassy either in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
The NIE number currently starts with an “X” or “Y” and is followed by seven numbers and a letter, your number is personal to you, it is not transferable, nor does it expire.
How to get your NIE number
01.
Book an appointment
Book an appointment at your local National Police Station or Departamento de Extranjeros
02.
Complete forms
Complete the application and tax forms and take all this with you when you do the application
03.
Don’t leave it too late
It does take several weeks to get an appointment and even longer during holiday times so make sure you don’t leave it too late to make the application
- The application process is becoming easier as computer systems are more widely used and is done at your local National Police Station or Departmento de Extranjeros (Foreigners Department). You need to book an appointment, complete the application and tax forms and take all this with you when you do the application.
- It does take several weeks to get an appointment and even longer during holiday times so make sure you don’t leave it too late to make the application. If you go it alone it might involve 3 or 4 trips to the police station so many prefer to hand over the responsibility to a company who can speed through the process.
- By completing and returning the checklist below, or sending us a message via “contact us” we can help you get your NIE number with as little fuss as necessary.
- If you do decide to apply while still in the UK, you need to get together all the necessary documentation and then go to the consulate where you will be asked to sign the application form in front of a consulate employee. Your signature will then be given an official validation stamp and is then sent off to Comisaría General de Extranjería y Documentación, Dirección General de Policia, C/ General Pardiñas, 90, 28006 Madrid, Spain, along with a stamped copy of your passport and 2 passport size photos.
Convenio Especial
- For those who don’t have the right to health cover via a reciprocal agreement with another EU country there are three other options, to work and pay contributions, to get private medical cover or to sign onto the Spanish “NHS” system (Convenio especial).
- If you have been on the empadron for over a year you can sign onto the convenio regardless of whether you are a resident or not, this gives you full access to the healthcare system for 60€ a month, under 65 and 157€ a month for over 65.
- One of the benefits of this system is that it doesn’t preclude ongoing illnesses, which private cover does, so you can get treatment for all existing ailments.
- It’s simple to apply for, a couple of forms to complete, an appointment at Alicante then you become fully registered with no waiting period.
How Do I Apply For Residencia And What Are The Benefits?
- Anybody who lives in Spain for more than 183 days a year is classed as being a resident in Spain and should apply for a residencia. However, this is an unquantifiable timescale as nowadays passports don’t get stamped when you go through border controls, so it really is down to the individual to decide where they want to call “home”.
- A Spanish residence permit (tarjeta de residencia) has gone from credit card size to A4 and back down to credit card and whereas it used to take over a year from start to finish, you can now collect your residencia on the day of application.
- As a resident you must pay income tax on your worldwide income in Spain irrelevant of where it is paid. If you choose to become a resident it is important that you notify the tax office in your home country and your bank in Spain.
There are some reasons why being a resident is advantageous, these include:
- Capital gains tax on selling your property
- Residents do not pay the 3% retention
- No tax declaration (Impuesto de la renta de no residentes (IRNR)) on principal residence
- Residents pay lower taxes on rental income
- Income tax breaks
- Inheritance tax bonuses
- Social security and health care benefits
- Right to vote in local elections
Applying for your Residency Permit
- The application process is becoming easier as computer systems are more widely used and is done at your local National Police Station or Departmento de Extranjeros (Foreigners Department). You need to book an appointment, complete the application and tax forms and take all this with you when you do the application.
- The two main things that Spain is interested in when you apply is that you have an income coming into Spain and that you have adequate health cover, this can be via reciprocal agreement with another EU country, private medical insurance, signing onto the Spanish equivalent of the “NHS” convenio especial or by working and paying contributions.
- By completing and returning the checklist below, or sending us a message via “contact us” we can help you get your residencia with as little fuss as necessary.
Getting an NIE Number from the UK
- It is possible to apply for your Spanish NIE numbers in the UK, it is more expensive and does take more time, and you will need to go in person to the Spanish embassy either in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
- If you do decide to apply while still in the UK, you need to get together all the necessary documentation and then go to the consulate where you will be asked to sign the NIE application form in front of a consulate employee. Your signature will then be given an official validation stamp, you will also need:
- A stamped photocopy of your passport (also done at the consulate)
- Two recent passport size photos. The background must be plain and you cannot have
Convenio Especial
- For those who don’t have the right to health cover via a reciprocal agreement with another EU country there are three other options, to work and pay contributions, to get private medical cover or to sign onto the Spanish “NHS” system (Convenio especial).
- If you have been on the empadron for over a year you can sign onto the convenio regardless of whether you are a resident or not, this gives you full access to the healthcare system for 60€ a month, under 65 and 157€ a month for over 65.
- One of the benefits of this system is that it doesn’t preclude ongoing illnesses, which private cover does, so you can get treatment for all existing ailments.
- It’s simple to apply for, a couple of forms to complete, an appointment at Alicante then you become fully registered with no waiting period.