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Get your NIE in Spain

If you did not get a NIE before arriving, you can apply in Spain at the nearest Oficina de Extranjeros or Comisaría de Policía Nacional. This is required before opening a bank account, signing contracts, or registering for taxes.

Time: 1–3 weeks including wait for appointment

Official sources

The steps

  1. 1

    Book a cita previa (appointment)

    Appointments are made online at the official administration portal. You will need to select your province and the correct service. Wait times vary from days to several weeks depending on the city. Check availability regularly — cancellation slots appear without notice.

    Time: 5 minutes online; allow 1–3 weeks for appointment availability

    Appointment Booking (Sede Electrónica)
    madrid: Madrid appointments are highly competitive. Check the portal daily at different times — slots appear unpredictably. Some agencies offer NIE assistance services; independent consultants can also help.
    barcelona: Barcelona has multiple extranjería offices. Try different offices in the province for faster availability.
    malaga: Málaga's extranjería office is at Calle Mármoles. Appointments are generally easier to get than in Madrid or Barcelona.
  2. 2

    Complete EX-15 form

    Download and complete form EX-15 from the Ministry of Interior website. Print it and bring two signed copies.

    Documents needed

    • Completed EX-15 form (2 copies)
    • Valid passport (original + copy of the data page)
    • 1 recent passport-size photo
    • Proof of reason for NIE: rental contract, job offer letter, property purchase agreement, or other Spanish nexus document
    • Payment of Tasa 790-012 (fee receipt — pay at a bank before the appointment)
    Form EX-15 (Ministry of Interior)
  3. 3

    Pay the NIE fee (Tasa 790-012)

    Pay the NIE application fee using form 790-012 at any Spanish bank (BBVA, CaixaBank, Sabadell, etc.) before your appointment. The fee is currently around €10–12. You need the stamped receipt at the appointment.

    Time: 10 minutes at the bank

    Some banks allow self-service kiosk payment. The fee is non-refundable.
  4. 4

    Attend the appointment

    Arrive on time with all documents. The officer will review your application and documents. If everything is in order, you will usually receive the NIE certificate on the same day.

    Time: 30–60 minutes at the office

    The NIE certificate is a printed document with your number. It is not an ID card and does not include a photo. For some purposes, you may later need a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), which is a physical card.
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