NIE Number in Spain 2026: How to Get One, Fee and What It's For

The NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) is a personal, unique number Spain gives to foreigners so the state can identify them. If you get a visa for a stay of more than 90 days, the police assign it to you automatically. If you only have ties to Spain, such as buying a home or opening an account, you ask for it yourself with form EX-15 and pay a €9.84 fee.

What the NIE is, in the law

Article 205 of the Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024) says that foreigners who start a procedure to be allowed to stay in Spain, and those who relate to Spain “for economic, professional, social or any other interests,” are given a personal, unique, sequential number. It must appear on every document issued to you. The only exception is the visa itself (art. 205.2).

It is not a residence permit. The Los Angeles consulate states that a NIE obtained through a consulate “does not entitle the holder to reside in Spain or prove residence there.”

NIE vs TIE

These two are often confused:

	NIE	TIE
What it is	An identification number	A physical card (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero)
Proves legal residence	No	Yes. It shows your legal status in Spain (art. 209.2)
Who gets it	Anyone with ties to Spain	People with a visa or authorization for more than six months
Validity	Personal and unique to you (art. 205.1)	Same as your authorization (art. 209.7)

Anyone given a visa or authorization for more than six months has the right and the duty to get the TIE, and must apply in person within one month of entering Spain or of the authorization taking effect (art. 209.1). The card carries your NIE, so you do not need to apply for one separately. For the full visa process, see the non-lucrative visa guide.

Getting a NIE with a visa

For visas that let you stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period, the regulation says the NIE is granted “de oficio,” meaning by the General Directorate of the Police on its own initiative, without you applying (art. 205.3). The non-lucrative visa is an example. You do not file EX-15 or pay the 790-012 NIE fee.

In practice, you will see the number on your TIE. The regulation also says the NIE does not appear on the visa sticker (art. 205.2).

Getting a NIE without a visa: form EX-15

Tourists, property buyers, investors and anyone else who does business in Spain without moving there must ask for a NIE. Two conditions apply: you must not be in Spain irregularly, and you must state your reasons (art. 205.3).

You can apply in two places (art. 205.4):

• In Spain, in person, directly with the Dirección General de la Policía, through an immigration office or at a police station.
• From abroad, through a Spanish consulate, which forwards the request to the police’s immigration headquarters.

The Los Angeles consulate lists what it needs for a NIE request:

1. Form EX-15, original and one copy, signed by you or your representative. The form must state the economic, professional or social reason that justifies the number.
2. Form 790, code 12, completed, with proof that the fee is paid.
3. If a representative applies for you, their ID or passport and a power of attorney that says they may file the NIE request.

The same consulate says the NIE is “normally issued within two weeks,” sent by email, and that the consulate cannot speed it up. The regulation sets a maximum of five days from the day the request reaches the competent body, after which the request is considered refused (art. 205.4). Appointments are by consulate: see Spanish consulates in the US for how to find yours.

The fee: modelo 790-012

The NIE assignment fee is paid with modelo 790, code 012, generated on the Policía Nacional’s online fee form. The same form lists the fees for cards. As of 7 October 2026 it shows:

Procedure	Fee
Assignment of a NIE at the applicant’s request	€9.84
TIE for the first grant of a temporary residence permit	€16.08
TIE for a renewal of a temporary residence permit	€19.30
TIE for family of Spanish nationals, EU family certificate, UK Withdrawal Agreement TIE	€12.00

The form generates the payment slip you attach to your request. The Los Angeles consulate points applicants to its own fee sheet, so check how your consulate wants the fee paid.

What you need the NIE for

• Taxes. For foreign individuals, the Spanish tax ID (NIF) is the NIE (art. 20 of RD 1065/2007). Any dealing with the Tax Agency, from a property purchase to an income tax return, uses it. See Spanish tax residency.
• Official procedures. The regulation requires the number on every document issued or processed for you (art. 205.2). The Los Angeles consulate says a NIE identifies you with all levels of the Spanish public administration.
• Your TIE. Once you hold a residence authorization, the card carries the NIE.

Banks, landlords and notaries commonly ask for it as well. Those requirements are set by each company, not by the regulation, so confirm with them.

If you hold a NIE and later get a visa, you keep the same number: the regulation describes it as personal, unique and exclusive (art. 205.1).