Buyer Guides
Need an NIE to Buy in Spain?
Your complete guide to getting an NIE number — what it is, why you need it, and how to get one before you lose the property you want.
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a tax identification number required by all non-Spanish nationals to complete any significant financial transaction in Spain, including buying property. Without one, you cannot sign a purchase contract, pay taxes, or complete a sale — however far along negotiations have gone.
4–8 weeks through official channels. Do not wait until you've found your property. By the time you've agreed on a price and a seller is ready to sign, the clock will already be against you.
Rule of thumb: apply the moment you decide you want to buy in Spain — even before you find a property.
Through your nearest Spanish Consulate (outside Spain)
Locate your local Spanish Consulate at exteriores.gob.es and book an appointment for an NIE application (Solicitud de NIE).
Valid passport + photocopy, completed EX-15 form, and proof of reason for application — typically a letter from a Spanish property lawyer confirming your intent to purchase.
Approximately €10.20 — the official consulate fee for a NIE application.
4–8 weeks depending on consulate workload. High-demand consulates (London, Paris, Berlin) often book weeks in advance, so allow extra time.
In person at the Oficina de Extranjería in Marbella
If you are already in Spain and have time to deal with it directly:
Marbella Oficina de Extranjería — Avda. Duque de Lerma / Edif. España Local 2, Marbella.
You must book in advance at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus. Appointment slots are limited — book as early as possible.
Original passport + photocopy, completed EX-15 form, and written proof of your intent to purchase property in Spain.
Yes. Most Marbella property lawyers (gestorías) offer NIE application as part of their purchase services. This is the most common approach for non-resident buyers — they handle the paperwork, chase the appointment, and collect the document on your behalf. You avoid having to visit Spain twice, and you know someone with local knowledge is managing the process.
Fees vary by firm, but typically range from €150–€400 for NIE application as a standalone service. Most firms bundle it into the full purchase legal fee.
4–8 weeks from submission.
The deposit contract (Arras) is typically signed within 2–4 weeks of agreeing a price.
Completion (the Escritura Pública) follows — you must have your NIE in hand before signing.
Apply the moment you decide you want to buy in Spain — even before you find the property.