How to get a Spanish NIE number from abroad

Buying a property in Spain, taking a job there or settling an inheritance all lead to the same requirement sooner or later: a NIE number. If you are not in Spain, the question becomes practical. Where do you apply from, and which route actually fits your timeline? There are three, and they differ considerably.

Route 1: through a Spanish consulate

Spain maintains consular representations in most countries, and they are competent to process NIE applications from residents of that country. It is the official route for anyone not yet in Spain.

Broadly, it works like this:

• You book an appointment through the consulate booking system
• You complete form EX-15
• You attend in person with your identity document and evidence of why you need the number, such as a purchase agreement or employment contract
• You pay the consular fee

The number is then assigned and usually sent by email.

The friction is not in the form but around it. Appointment availability varies a great deal, processing time after the appointment adds up, and if you do not live near the consular city you lose most of a day travelling. If you have a notary date in Spain, that becomes a genuine planning question.

Route 2: in Spain itself

If you are travelling to Spain anyway, you can apply there at the Oficina de Extranjería or a police station with a foreigners desk. The official fee is low, around €9,84 via modelo 790, but you need a cita previa and in busy provinces those are scarce.

For people who spend extended periods in Spain and have flexibility, this is the cheapest way. For someone flying in for a viewing or a completion, it is risky: no appointment means no number, and no number means no deed. More on this in our guide to getting a NIE in Spain.

Route 3: by power of attorney

The third option is authorising someone in Spain to submit the application for you. That removes both the consular appointment and any dependence on the Spanish booking system.

What remains on your side: verifying your identity online and signing the power of attorney digitally. The lawyer submits the application and forwards the number once it is assigned.

This route costs more than the official fee. What you get in return is speed and certainty that the file is complete, which matters most when the NIE is tied to a deadline.

Which route suits whom?

Honestly, no single route is always best.

• The consulate works well if you live nearby, are not in a hurry and want to keep costs down.
• In Spain itself suits people who are there for a while and flexible on dates.
• Power of attorney is the logical choice with a deadline, when several family members need a number at once, or when the NIE is part of a purchase.

Family members and children

Where a property is bought in the names of both partners, each needs their own NIE. If a child is named on the deed, or an inheritance is involved, that applies to minors too. Additional requirements around parental authority and documentation come into play; we cover these in NIE numbers for children.

Why Buenaley?

Buenaley is a Spanish law firm supporting international clients with their affairs in Spain. From abroad, the NIE application runs entirely remotely, with no consular visit.

• No appointment at a consulate needed
• Applications for partner and children can run in parallel
• Fixed price, including the government fee and notarial costs

See how applying for a NIE through Buenaley works, or put your situation to us without obligation.