How to get NIE number in Barcelona?

EU citizens

It used to be an easy matter some time ago to get the EU residence certificate and NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero). It was enough to go to a Police station, fulfill a formular and pay the NIE fee, and that was all – you would get a printed NIE certificate. This year, the rules has changed, and now it’s slightly more difficult to do it.

In order to get the EU residence certificate and the NIE number, you need to prepare these documents:

  • Passport
  • EX-18 formular, download here
  • employed:  job contract from the spanish company
  • self-employed: certificate showing that you own a company in Spain
  • job seekers: you can go only with passport, but you will be issued a temporary NIE number valid only for 3 months
  • persons with sufficient funds: proof that you can live in Spain without working, i.e. property ownership certificates, bank statements, and a medical insurance (S1 form)
  • students: acceptance letter from the school, medical insurance (european medical card accepted)  and a declaration where you state you count with sufficient funds for living in Spain and you will not be a burden to the spanish social security system.
  • NIE application fee

You apply at the police station from 9:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday. Before you visit the police station, you need to apply online on this link (spanish only)

Once you submit the documents for it, you need to come back again within a week to collect the EU residence certificate and NIE number.

If you are an EU citizen and want to apply only for NIE number without residence in Spain, here are the documents you need:

  • Passport and copy of all pages
  • EX-15 formular, download here
  • Document proving why you need a NIE number: normally, it’s an real estate engagement contract registered at the notary showing that you’re going to buy a property in Spain, i.e. house, apartment, garage, car, etc.), or a company ownership certificate.
  • NIE application fee

Once you submit the documents, you come back to the police station and collect your NIE number within a week.

Non EU citizens

If you’re not a citizen of  some country of the European Union, you must provide a reason why do you need a NIE number.

  • Passport and copy of all pages
  • EX-15 formular, download here
  • Document proving why you need a NIE number: normally, it’s an real estate engagement contract registered at the notary showing that you’re going to buy a property in Spain, i.e. house, apartment, garage, car, etc.), or a company ownership certificate.
  • NIE application fee

You apply at the immigrations office at Passeig Sant Joan 189, 08037 Barcelona from 9:00 to 14:00, monday to friday.

Once you apply for it, it takes 2-3 weeks for the certificate to be ready and you need to come back to collect it.