Getting a Spanish NIE (Tax ID Number) as a Remote Worker: Step-by-Step 2025 Guide

Your NIE is the most important document you'll get in Spain. It's not optional—it's mandatory for everything: opening a bank account, signing a lease, paying taxes, buying property, registering utilities. Without it, you're functionally invisible to Spanish bureaucracy. Yet the process is opaque, processes vary by region, and conflicting information is everywhere.

This guide walks you through exactly how to get your NIE in 2025, whether you're applying from abroad or after arriving in Spain. Real timelines, actual costs, step-by-step processes, and insider tips to avoid the most common mistakes.

What is a NIE? (And Why You Need It)

NIE = Número de Identificación de Extranjero (Foreigner Identification Number)

It's a 9-digit tax identification number assigned to all non-Spanish residents for legal, financial, and administrative purposes. Think of it as your Spanish social security number + tax ID combined.

What You'll Use Your NIE For

• Opening a Spanish bank account (essential for salary deposits, bill payments)
• Signing rental contracts (landlords require it)
• Paying Spanish taxes (mandatory if you have income from Spain or own property)
• Registering for healthcare (accessing private clinics, prescriptions)
• Purchasing property (buying a car, house, or anything of value)
• Registering utilities (electricity, water, internet contracts)
• Digital nomad visa application (prerequisite for the visa)

Without an NIE, you can't do any of these legally. You can survive on cash, but you can't build a life in Spain.

NIE vs NIF vs TIE: What's the Difference?

NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)

• For non-residents and foreigners
• For tax purposes
• 9 digits
• Doesn't expire

NIF (Número de Identidad Fiscal)

• Primarily for Spanish residents
• Tax identification number
• 8 digits (usually)
• Not typical for foreigners unless you have specific tax obligations

TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

• Physical residency card (not just a number)
• Proof of legal residence for 6+ months
• Comes after your visa is approved
• You'll get this automatically if you get a digital nomad visa

For remote workers: You need the NIE first. The NIF may come later. The TIE comes only if you get a residence visa (like the digital nomad visa).

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NIE Application: Two Pathways

Pathway 1: Apply From Abroad (Recommended for Visa Applicants)

If you're applying for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, you'll apply for the NIE as part of that process through your Spanish consulate.

Pros:

• Structured process (consulate handles everything)
• Required for digital nomad visa anyway
• Faster than in-country process

Cons:

• Requires appointment at consulate (can take weeks)
• More bureaucratic
• Varies significantly by consulate location

Timeline: 3-6 weeks for NIE certificate arrival

Pathway 2: Apply In-Country After Arrival (Faster)

If you're already in Spain or want to apply in-person, apply at a local immigration office.

Pros:

• Faster than consulate process (5-10 working days often)
• Immediate appointment booking usually available
• Can get temporary NIE certificate on the spot sometimes

Cons:

• Requires in-person visit
• Spanish language heavy
• Processing time varies by region

Timeline: 5-10 working days for most regions

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Step-by-Step: How to Get Your NIE in Spain

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Before booking an appointment, collect everything you'll need. Missing documents mean rejected applications.

Essential Documents:

• Valid passport (original + copy of biographical data page)
• Completed application forms:
  • EX-15 form (for general NIE requests)
  • Form 790 (for payment/fee receipt)
• Proof of payment (€9.84 fee receipt)
• Proof of residency (lease contract, utility bill, or rental agreement showing your Spanish address)
• Reason documentation (employment contract, rental agreement, property purchase agreement—whatever proves why you need the NIE)
• Passport photos (3-4 recent passport-size photos; requirements vary by region)

Optional but helpful:

• Letter from your employer/client confirming remote work arrangement
• Bank statements showing income
• Translation of documents into Spanish (for non-EU citizens; EU citizens often skip this)

💡 Pro Tip: Get your documents apostilled before traveling if you're applying from abroad. An apostille is a certification that legalizes foreign documents. You can get this from your local government office (in the UK: ACRO certificate from your local police). It costs £10-30 and takes 1-3 weeks.

Step 2: Book Your Appointment

If applying in Spain:

1. Go to: www.citapreviaextranjeria.es (Spain's immigration appointment booking system)
2. Select your province
3. Choose appointment type:
   • "Expedición de tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (TIE) y certificados de la UE" (for NIE/residence)
   • "Certificados UE" (if you're EU citizen)
4. Fill in your personal information
5. Select available date/time (appointments often 2-4 weeks out; book early)
6. Confirm; you'll get a confirmation email

If applying from abroad:

1. Contact your nearest Spanish consulate
2. Request a "Cita previa" (appointment)
3. Method varies by consulate (email, online booking, phone)
4. Most consulates require appointment 4-8 weeks in advance
5. Confirm you have all documents before scheduling

⚠️ Important: The online booking system can be unreliable. If no appointments show as available, try a different province or check back daily (cancellations open up regularly).

Step 3: Download and Complete Forms

EX-15 Form (NIE Application):

1. Download from: www.inclusion.gob.es/sscc or your immigration office website
2. Must be in Spanish (not English)
3. Fill out fields:
   • Full name, date of birth, nationality
   • Spanish address (where you'll live)
   • Reason for NIE (select from dropdown: work, residence, other)
   • Marital status, birthplace, passport number
   • Sign in two places (Declarant signature line)
4. Print 2 copies (some regions want 3)
5. Keep originals + bring copies to appointment

Form 790 (Payment Form):

1. Download from: www.policia.es (Spanish Police website)
2. This is for paying the €9.84 fee
3. Fill out your details
4. Download, print, and take to any Spanish bank
5. Pay in cash; bank will stamp the receipt
6. Keep this stamped receipt—you must bring it to your appointment

💡 Pro Tip: These forms can be tricky to fill. If you're not confident in Spanish or completing official documents, hire a gestor (administrative assistant, €50-100) to complete them correctly. One mistake means rejection and restarting.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

The NIE application fee is €9.84 (as of 2025).

How to pay:

1. Complete Form 790
2. Take it to any Spanish bank (Santander, ING, BBVA, CaixaBank—any of them)
3. Ask for "pago por formulario" (payment via form)
4. Pay €9.84 in cash
5. Bank stamps the receipt
6. You'll get a copy of the payment proof

Keep this receipt—you need it for your appointment.

Step 5: Attend Your Appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring:

• Original passport + copy
• All completed forms (EX-15, form 790)
• Stamped payment receipt
• Proof of residency (lease, rental agreement)
• Passport photos (3-4)
• Any supporting documents (employment letter, etc.)

At the appointment:

1. Officer reviews your documents
2. Takes your passport details
3. May ask questions: "Where will you work?" "How long will you stay?" "What's your income?"
4. Processes your application
5. Gives you receipt with your NIE number immediately (usually)
6. Or tells you to return in 5-10 days to collect your physical NIE certificate

🎯 Insider tip: The officer will likely give you your NIE number on the spot (written on a receipt). This is your temporary proof. You can use this number to open a bank account immediately. The physical NIE certificate arrives later.

Step 6: Collect Your NIE Certificate

Timing varies by region:

• Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia: 5-10 working days (fast)
• Smaller cities: 2-3 weeks
• From consulate abroad: 15-45 days typically

You'll be notified when it's ready (usually by email or SMS). Return to the office to collect it.

What you'll get:

• Physical NIE certificate (white A5 card with your number, name, photo)
• This is your proof of legal identification in Spain

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Timeline & Processing: What to Expect

Best-Case Scenario (In Spain)

• Day 1: Book appointment online
• Week 1: Appointment confirmed
• Week 2-3: Attend appointment
• Week 3-4: Collect physical certificate
• Total: 3-4 weeks

Realistic Timeline (In Spain)

• Days 1-3: Struggle with booking website, finally get appointment
• Week 2-3: Attend appointment, get temp NIE number same day
• Week 3-4: Wait for physical card
• Total: 4-6 weeks

Consulate Process (From Abroad)

• Week 1: Contact consulate, book appointment
• Weeks 2-6: Wait for appointment slot
• Week 6-8: Attend appointment
• Weeks 8-12: Processing + mail
• Total: 8-12 weeks

Pro tip: If applying from abroad for the digital nomad visa, the consulate will give you the NIE as part of the visa process. You don't need to apply separately—it's bundled together.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake #1: Incomplete or Incorrect Forms

Form errors are the #1 reason for rejection. One typo, one missing field, and you're denied.

Solution: Double-check all fields. Consider hiring a gestor (€50-100) to verify forms are perfect. It's cheap insurance against rejection.

❌ Mistake #2: Missing Payment Receipt

You must bring your stamped form 790 receipt. Without it, you can't apply.

Solution: After paying at the bank, keep the receipt safe. Take a photo of it as backup.

❌ Mistake #3: Wrong Proof of Residency

Landlords often don't provide rental agreements immediately. Using a hotel booking confirmation or airbnb receipt doesn't count.

Solution: Get your rental agreement or utilities bill showing your address before applying. If you don't have one, ask your landlord for a simple letter confirming your address.

❌ Mistake #4: Arriving Without an Appointment

"Walk-ins" don't exist. The immigration office only sees people with appointments.

Solution: Book online before you arrive. If you arrive without an appointment, book one immediately from where you're staying.

❌ Mistake #5: Not Keeping Your NIE Number Safe

Your NIE is as important as your passport. Lose it, and you'll need to request a replacement (more paperwork).

Solution: Photo/scan your NIE certificate. Store it in cloud storage. Tell nobody your NIE number except when required.

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Using Your NIE Number

Once you have your NIE (even just the temporary number), you can immediately:

• Open a Spanish bank account (bring your NIE number; you don't need the physical card)
• Sign a rental contract (provide your NIE number)
• Register for utilities (electricity, water, internet)
• Access healthcare (register with doctor's office)

You don't need to wait for the physical card—the number alone is sufficient for most purposes.

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Regional Variations: Processing Times by City

Processing times vary significantly. Here's what to expect:

City	Processing Time	Difficulty	Notes
Madrid	5-7 days	Medium	Busy; book 2-3 weeks ahead
Barcelona	7-10 days	Medium	High demand; appointments scarce
Valencia	5-8 days	Low	Relatively fast and efficient
Málaga	3-5 days	Low	Fastest in Spain
Smaller cities	2-3 weeks	Low	Less demand; slower processing

If you're in a small city and the wait seems long, consider traveling to a larger nearby city to process it faster.

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After You Get Your NIE: Next Steps

Once you have your NIE:

1. Open a Spanish Bank Account (Immediate)

You'll need this for:

• Salary deposits
• Bill payments
• Utility contracts
• Tax payments

Best banks for digital nomads: N26, Wise, Revolut, or local options (Santander, ING, BBVA)

2. Register at Your Local Town Hall (First Month)

Go to your Oficina del Registro Civil (civil registry office) to register your address officially. This creates your "empadronamiento" (official residency proof). It costs nothing and takes 15 minutes.

3. Get Your NIF (Optional, But Recommended)

If you'll work for a Spanish company or have Spanish income, get your NIF (tax number) at the Spanish Tax Office (Agencia Tributaria). It's free and takes 10 minutes.

4. For Digital Nomad Visa: Submit Remaining Documents

If you're pursuing the digital nomad visa, use your NIE to complete visa application at your consulate.

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Conclusion

Getting your NIE is bureaucratic but straightforward if you follow these steps exactly. The most important rule: get all documents correct before your appointment. Errors = rejection = waiting another month.

Your action plan:

1. This week: Gather documents, take passport photos
2. Next week: Complete EX-15 and form 790; pay the €9.84 fee at a bank
3. Week 3: Book appointment online (citapreviaextranjeria.es)
4. Week 4-5: Attend appointment, get NIE number
5. Week 5-6: Collect physical certificate
6. Week 6+: Use NIE to open bank account, sign lease, access healthcare

Once you have your NIE, everything else in Spain becomes possible. It's the first brick in building your Spanish life. Get it done early, get it right, and move on to the exciting part: actually living in Spain.