How to get your NIE in Madrid in 3 steps
When going through administrative red tape, always keep in mind why you are doing all this: the amazing Madrid lifestyle !
If you are moving to Madrid to stay for more than 3 months, if you want to buy a property or start a company, you are legally required to get a NIE, “Número de Identificación Fiscal de Extranjeros”, or “Foreigners Registration Number”.
Before anything else, this is the process to get it in Madrid. In fact, my experience is that it is way easier and faster to get it done in the Spanish consulate of your country of origin. So if you are not in Madrid already, do get in contact with the closest Spanish consulate !
If you are in Madrid, here’s how to get it in 3 steps, after you gain the right to be in Spain:
1) obtain a NIE appointment
Go to https://sede.mpt.gob.es/icpplus/citar , choose the “Madrid” region, and choose the right option according to your case in the 2d drop down list:
- Students: “Autorización Estancia Inicial Estudios”,
- UE citizens, who want to stay in Spain for over 6 months: “CERTIFICADOS UE”,
- I recommend you also take another appointment to check everything by choosing in the same page “INFORMATION”
- If you need more specific information on how to fill each form, consult this page.
The delay I observed to get an appointment is 1 to 4 months, and add to this 2 months to this if summer gets in the way.
If you need a NIE quicker, then you can obtain a transitory NIE en Hacienda, the Ministry of Economy or professionals have special access (contact me if you need help on this).
2) prepare the papers
- prepare the relevant form – you can download it here – in most cases the ex-18,
- original and copy of passport or identity card you need to be legally in Spain,
- proof of the appointment (reference number for instance)
- communication of the reasons you are in spain (work, study, leasure) and justify this request (rental contract…) or the “Volante de Empadronamiento” (local municipal paper proving you live here) – I recommend doing the padron before since it’s quick, and some instructions say it’s mandatory, some don’t.
- “modelo 790 (Cod. 12)” to pay the standard fee (10,30 € as of the update of the article) for the procedure – you can get this at any “”Oficina de Extranjeros” o “Comisaría de Policía” normaly. However, they often lack them, so go to the closest and then if they do not have it, go to where there always have these forms – Avda. Padre Piquer, 18 (metro: Campamento, line 10) and then pay the fee in any major bank or post office.
And since the new regulation, you also need to prove you have health insurance in Spain and the sufficient income to support your stay, even for UE citizens.
This can be proved the following way:
- if you are employed, your work contract, or declaration of employment from your employer, or the official social security papers,
- if you are a student, the official document form your university, a private health insurance certificate, and a declaration saying you have the money to cover your costs during your stay,
- if you are an entrepreneur, you need to become an entrepreneur under the Spanish system. You’ll need help from an accountant for this in most cases if you do not speak Spanish.
- If you do not fit in any of these cases, you need to demonstrate you have health insurance, and the money to cover your costs.
For all the details, see the official document here.
3) go to the appointment 1h in advance
Review evertything your forms with a person at the information desk.
Go with all the possibly relevant papers prepared (better too much than not enough) and be very positive. Also:
- Talk some spanish,
- stay open minded and positive,
- always ask for specific actions to solve problems that arise,
- and you will normally get 2 copies of your certificate within normally a reasonable time span, sometimes even instantly !
After all that, you will be able to boast your certificate in expat parties, and be sure no bureaucratic door will be closed to you ;-).
Seriously, with a NIE, you can for instance open a bank acount with whatever bank you want, instead of having to limit yourself to bank that accept passports.
If you have any question or remark on administrative procedures or anything about moving to Spain, do comment or do send me an email !
Yours madridly,
Pierre
Has anyone tried calling the appointment number from outside Spain?
I tried before I came but it wouldn’t go through and I think that because it’s a 902 number then it probably doesn’t work from outside Spain…
Hi Andrea – thanks for the comment ! Indeed, calling a 902 number is sometimes impossible from some countries and/or telcommunication providers.
I will try to get another regular phone number for people calling from abroad and having issues contacting them.
Read soon,
Pierre
For what it’s worth, I enjoyed your article very much. You make sound points and this is clear content that’s easy to understand.
Can we apply for a NIE in a different city, even if I study in madrid?
Thank you Abigael for your question !
Yes, of course, you can apply in a different city. All you need is to find the right place to ask for an appointment – ask to any “Oficina de Extranjeros” o “Comisaría de Policía” where you can do this.
Hope it helps ! All the best,
Pierre
Hello
Are the CERTIFICADOS UE and NIE the same thing ? If not how could i obtain the NIE number ?
Thanks,
Hi Fabie,
Thank you for your comment !
Yes, the different names the administration gives to differents papers is confusing.
To put it simply:
1) NIE means “Número de Identificación de Extranjeros” – It’s just a fiscal number, like an ID number so the Spanish state can register you. It is mandatory after 6 months in Spain.
2) The NIE is just a number, it’s not a visa, a residency or work permit, it’s not even a valid identity proof. However, it’s the number that comes at the end of a process and confirms you’re legally in Spain. For instance, you got your visa, and then your NIE number.
3) If you are a EU citizen, the law says you have the right to live wherever whenever in other countries of the EU (exceptions apply).
The certificate which is valid for UE citizens to get a NIE is then called “CERTIFICADOS UE”.
As a conclusion, and the Spanish administration being what it is, I strongly recommend you:
- Prepare all the papers you may need
- Get an appointment
- Go as soon as you can to the place where you will have your appointment to ask all your questions
- Always be very positive and always say the bureaucrat in front of you is right. Just ask nicely and professionally, “What is then the solution you have to this requirement sir”.
I hope this helped. The truth is this administrative processes depend on procedures which have not been well defined by the state, and depend on the interpretation of the person you will have in front of you.
No worries, this is Spain and is quite normal. Preparation, asking open questions, speaking a bit of spanish and being always positive should get you through.
All the best,
Pierre
Hello, I need to renew my NIE. I am now in Madrid but used to live in Sevilla and current NIE address is for Sevilla. I don’t have an address in Madrid yet because I’m still looking for a piso. When I fill out the Tasa form and the other forms, EX-00 or something what address do I use? Or should I wait until I have a piso? I am a North American Language & Cultural Assistant so I was thinking of using my school’s address, but that is also in a city outside Madrid, so maybe could cause issues. I need to drop my papers off and then I will get an appointment for a later date, which is when I need to have empadronamiento or proof of residency, so as long as they are ok with me using different addresses I should be fine. Any word on how strict they are? I would just wait, but I plan on travelling in less than 2 weeks, so I will need an autorizacion de regreso and for this, the renewal of my NIE needs to be in process.
Who/which office do I check with (since there are many involved in the process)?
Thank you so much!
Use whatever address you can prove. A rental contract or padron or another official paper is enough.
For questions, go the link I give to take appointments, and take an “información” appointment.
Or just go to the office indicated for the NIE renewal appointment and try and saks the person at the entrance. No one else will answer your questions.
Hope it helps, All the best
I have an appointment for an application for Residency on the 4th December however without a N.I.E Imy partner is unable to put my in thier Bank Account to show more financial security since I am not working since moving here? Can I get an N.I.E number quickly?
Hi Julie,
Yes, you can get a NIE quickly via professionals. But in this case, there’s also the topic of demonstrating income.
I recommend you get in contact with Tom Leacy . He will for sure solve your problem.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any kind of question !
Thanks for that . Do you know which office I can apply for a N.I.E .in person in Madrid and get it in one day?
Thanks,
Julie
Go to C/ San Felipe 7, metro Tetuan, take your passport and copy of photo page with you. Take a form from the desk when you arrive, the man at the desk will give you another form when you have completed the first form. You take this form to any bank and pay 10 euros, the bank stamps the form, then you return to the office, take a number and wait your turn (about 10 minutes in my case), and you will be given your NIE.
Thank you Jonathan for this advice. I have done this for clients. However, if I remember well, you need an appointment.
No. No appointment was required.
Thank you Jonathan. I will investigate this and report on it, as last time I went there, I was forced to get an appointment. Thanks again !
Hello! I tried to get my NIE in one day as I have already started working as an auxiliar in a high school and need to get the number so I can get paid asap. The lady who set up my job for me told me that I only need to get a NIE, I don’t need to get the card as i’m not here for over 6 months, so I went to the embassy place near metro Tetuan. The man at the desk told me that anyone here more than 3 months needs a card, and that I have to come back another day with the forms he gave me, the bank slip and with a photocopy of every single page of of my passport (50 pages!) and then I need to make an appointment – which as you said can take up to 3 months. And I only will be here for another 3 and a half months. I already have a visa until June, which he saw, so i’m really confused as to why this is necessary. Did I miss something? Do you have any idea what this is about? Or if this might be a mistake?
The normal procedure is the one described in the article.
However, if you are in Spain for less than 3 months in total, you can get a quicker procedure to just get the number – not the card.
This is not standard and requires convincing the person in front of you at the police station.