If you want to rent or buy a home in Spain, open a bank account, or register as an entrepreneur, you need a Numero de Identificación de Extranjero, or a NIE number.
This blog describes step by step how you can request that number.
Step 1: Make an appointment online
Make sure you have your passport number and your phone at hand.
Go to this website on your laptop or computer, because the site does not work on your mobile phone: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/icpplus
Do this if you are in Spain, as the site only works in Spain.
Click on the red button that says ‘Acceder al Procedimiento’
Select the province where you want to make an appointment in the dropdown menu
Click on ‘Acceptar’.
From here, the steps/descriptions differ per province. For the sake of convenience, I assume that you have chosen the province of Cádiz.
Next to ‘TRÁMITES POLICÍA NACIONAL’, select: POLICIA – Asignacion de NIE (the description may differ per province)
Click on the red ‘Entrar’ button
Select ‘Pasaporte’ and enter your passport number in the field
Scroll down and enter your first and last name in the fields, enter your year of birth in the next field and select ‘Holanda’ under Pais de Nacionalidad
Then click on ‘Aceptar’
Then click on ‘Solicitar cita’
Select an ‘Officina’ from the dropdown menu
Click on ‘Siguiente’
You will then be shown the available dates/times – if there are any
Select the date/time of your choice
Once you have found a date and time, you will receive a text message with a code. You enter that code on the website to confirm the appointment.
After you confirm the appointment, you will receive a confirmation email.
It can be difficult to find an available date/time. Therefore, do not limit yourself to the province/municipality where you want to rent or buy a home, for example. It does not matter in which municipality you apply for the number.
In some places the process is more efficient than in others. For example, in cities such as San Fernando and Algeciras in the province of Cádiz, many migrants from Africa arrive. Because the police receive many requests for this reason, the process is faster. There are also more appointments available, sometimes even the next day.
If you cannot find a date/appointment immediately, please try again the next day until you can make an appointment.
Step 2: Once you have an appointment, complete the modelo 790
You need this ‘modelo’ to pay the fees at the bank.
Go to the link below and click on the province where you made the appointment:
https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/tasasPDF/prepareProvincia?idModelo=790&idTasa=052
Then complete the form online.
NIF/NIE*: It starts a bit confusing, because you have to enter your NIE number. And of course you don’t have that yet. Do this ’the Spanish way’ by simply entering ‘a number’. That number is not checked by anyone. But if you do not enter anything, the bank employee cannot help you further. For example, enter the following number: X0527480-J
In the fields where you have to enter your address details, you can also enter your temporary address, for example the address of your hotel.
Select the box behind ‘6.5 Asignación de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) a instancia del interesado’.
After completing it, you can download the document by clicking on ‘Obtener Documento’ and then print it. It is best to print it two times. The number of copies they need may differ per bank.
Step 3: Go to the bank to pay the fees
You do not need an appointment to pay the fees at the bank.
In addition to the completed model 790, also take cash with you to the bank. Because you cannot pay the fees with your bank card. The amount you have to pay is automatically entered on the modelo 790 and varies per province.
At the bank they scan the modelo 790, ask for payment of the fees and give you proof of payment.
Step 4. Complete the EX-15 form
The EX-15 form is the application form and you can download and complete it here:
https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/410169/2156469/15-Formulario_NIE_y_certificados.pdf
After you have completed the form, print it out and sign it.
Step 5: Go to the appointment at the immigration police
Take all necessary documents with you:
Passport and a copy of the first page of your passport
The completed, printed and signed application form EX-15
Proof of payment from the bank
Confirmation email of the appointment
Step 6: Receive your NIE Number
After you have completed all the documents, you will immediately receive the NIE number on an A4 piece of paper on which the NIE number is stated. Even if the paper doesn’t look very official, keep it in good condition.
¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!).
