Request a foreigner identity number – NIE (Número de identidad de extranjero)

by Mark Stücklin

All foreigners who are resident or own property in Spain (or for some other reason pay taxes in Spain) have to get a Spanish NIE number from the Spanish government. NIE stands for Numero de Identidad de Extranjero which translates as foreigner identity number.

Though it used to be possible to buy a property and pay the associated taxes on the basis of your passport number it is now almost impossible to do this. Therefore it is very likely that you will need to have requested and received an NIE number by the time you complete on your property purchase in Spain.

Getting an NIE number can take anything from 2 to 6 weeks, depending upon where you apply and how quickly the Spanish authorities deal with your application. 

The point to take on board here is that you need to have looked into the question of obtaining an NIE and made suitable arrangements to get one in good time.

You can apply for an NIE number in person in Spain, or authorise someone to get it for you if you don’t have time, or can’t bear the thought of spending your time dealing with the Spanish bureaucracy.

Morgan and Morgan are well versed with the application of the NIE in Mallorca and can introduce you to the right people to get one in good time.

This article is a part of The Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Property in Mallorca that includes all the steps including opening a local bank account, hiring an independent lawyer and defining your Spanish property needs.