Who asks for a NIE
Anyone who is not Spanish and has a professional, economic or family reason to deal with the Spanish administration: a job, a purchase, studies, an inheritance, a small business. People who settle here get the number as part of their residence paperwork, printed on the green certificate for EU citizens or on the TIE for everyone else.
The request on this page is the stand-alone number, the usual route for people who are not resident, or not yet. If you are still abroad, the route through a Spanish consulate may suit you better.
Your folder, item by item
- The EX-15, every box answered and your signature at the bottom
- Your passport or national ID card, plus a photocopy of it
- Something that explains the request: a job offer, a deposit contract, a university letter, a date at the notary
- The Modelo 790 código 012 fee form, paid at a bank or online
- The confirmation of your cita previa, printed or on your phone
How the visit goes
You arrive at your slot, the officer checks the originals against the copies and the form, and the request is processed if everything lines up. Officers can ask for one more paper when something is unclear, which is why we go through your documents with you before the day rather than hoping for the best.
What we handle for you
- Confirm that a stand-alone NIE is the right request for your situation
- Complete the EX-15 and the fee form alongside you, box by box
- Look for an appointment at an office that handles your request
- Send you a short checklist of originals and copies for the day
Here in Valencia
In Valencia the stand-alone NIE is handled at the Oficina de Trámites de Comunitarios y Certificados on Calle de Bailén, which also lists the DNI/NIE concordance certificate. Around the city, policia.es shows NIE assignment at comisarías such as Mislata, Paterna and Burjassot too, so the desk depends on the slot you get: the comisarías across the province each have their own list, and your confirmation names the office.
Quick questions
Will my NIE ever expire?
The number does not: it stays with you for life. The paper or card that shows it can expire, so keep the number noted somewhere safe.
Can someone else request it for me?
A representative with a power of attorney can often handle the request for you. Offices apply this in their own way, so check before you build your plans around it.
Does a NIE let me live in Spain?
No. The number identifies you; it does not give you the right to live or work in Spain. Residence comes from the EU registration certificate, or from a visa and then a TIE.