How to get a NIE in Spain (2026 guide)

If you are a Ukrainian citizen and plan to live, work or do business in Spain, you will need a NIE. This document gives you access to virtually every administrative and financial procedure in the country. In this guide we walk through the entire process of obtaining a NIE from start to finish, taking into account the specifics for Ukrainian citizens in 2026.

What the NIE is

The NIE is a foreigner's personal identification number in Spain: it is assigned once and for life, and by itself it does not grant the right to reside. The TIE, by contrast, is the physical card that confirms your legal status and contains your NIE. You need the number for banking, work, taxes and most official contracts.

NIE (número de identidad de extranjero — foreigner ID number) is the identification number for foreigners in Spain. In essence, it is your Spanish "tax number", which is assigned once and stays with you forever, even if you leave the country.

The NIE is an alphanumeric combination in the format X-1234567-A (a letter, seven digits, a letter). This number is required for any official interaction with the Spanish state.

Why you need a NIE

Without a NIE in Spain it is practically impossible to:

• Open a bank account
• Get a job (officially)
• Buy or rent property (long-term rental)
• Register a car
• Set up utilities in your name
• Pay taxes
• Register a business (autónomo or SL)
• Get a Spanish social security number
• Sign most official contracts

The difference between the NIE and the TIE

Many people confuse the NIE and the TIE, but they are different things:

• NIE — this is just a number. It can appear on a sheet of paper (certificado) or on a card. The NIE by itself does not grant the right to reside — it is only an identifier.
• TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) — this is the plastic card, the foreigner's identity document. The TIE contains your NIE, a photo and details of your residence permit. The TIE confirms your right to stay legally in Spain.

Put simply: the NIE is a number, the TIE is a document with that number. For many everyday tasks (opening an account, signing a contract) it is enough to have the NIE on paper. But if you reside in Spain for more than three months, you will eventually need a TIE or the corresponding registration (certificado de registro for EU citizens; Ukrainians with temporary protection also receive a TIE).

Important: For Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection status the process is somewhat different — the NIE is assigned automatically when the status is processed. More on this below.

Who needs a NIE

In Spain a NIE is required by practically every foreigner who plans to carry out any kind of official action within the country. These are the main categories:

Employment

If you take a job at a Spanish company, the employer will ask for your NIE to formalise your employment contract and register you in the social security system (Seguridad Social).

Entrepreneurship

Registering as an autónomo (self-employed sole trader) or setting up a company (SL) is impossible without a NIE. The number is needed for tax registration with the Agencia Tributaria.

Buying property

To sign the deed of sale (escritura) before a notary and register ownership in the registry (Registro de la Propiedad), a NIE is mandatory.

Long-term rental

Most landlords and agencies require a NIE to sign a rental contract lasting more than a few months.

Studies

Enrolling at a Spanish university or in long-term courses generally requires a NIE.

Inheritance and financial transactions

Receiving an inheritance, making investments, dealing in securities in Spain — all of this is tied to a NIE.

Buying a car

Registering a vehicle (matrícula) and arranging insurance — only with a NIE.

If the car is already on foreign plates, the re-registration deadlines are covered in the guide “Car on Foreign Plates in Spain 2026”.

Even if you do not live in Spain

A NIE may be needed even by non-residents — for example, when buying property or receiving an inheritance. In that case the NIE can be processed at a Spanish consulate in your country or during a short visit to Spain.

Required documents

The official Policía Nacional list is form EX-15 and the receipt for the modelo 790 código 012 fee. You will also need your passport, and you must state the reason for the request (EX-15 has a "Motivos" field for this; a supporting document, such as a letter from an employer or a bank, makes the application easier). The application is filed in person.

To obtain a NIE you need to prepare the following set of documents. We recommend gathering everything in advance and making two sets of copies.

1. Application form EX-15

This is the standard NIE application form. You can download it from the website of the Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones. It is filled in in Spanish. The form is called Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados (EX-15).

Tip: Fill in the form in block capitals or on a computer. All the details (first name, surname) must match your passport exactly.

2. Passport (original + copy)

A valid passport. You need the original to present and a photocopy (the page with the photo and details). The passport must be valid at the time of submission.

For Ukrainian citizens: if your passport has expired and there is no way to renew it, contact the Ukrainian consulate in Spain. For temporary protection the official list is broader: a passport, an identity document or another travel document.

3. Justification of the request (justificación)

Under RD 1155/2024 (art. 205) you must state why you are requesting the NIE; a supporting document helps justify it. Examples:

• Work: a preliminary employment contract (precontrato) or a letter from the employer
• Business: documents about registering or the intention to register a business
• Property: a preliminary purchase or rental agreement
• Studies: a letter of admission from the educational institution
• Finance: a letter from the bank stating that a NIE is needed to open an account

Tip: Some banks in Spain (for example, certain branches in Valencia) issue a certificate stating that a NIE is required to open an account. That certificate can serve as justification.

4. Proof of payment of the fee (modelo 790, código 012)

The state fee for issuing the NIE. It is paid at the bank. More details about the payment procedure are in the "Cost and timelines" section.

5. Photograph (in some cases)

The official list for the NIE does not include a photograph. The TIE is a separate procedure with its own form (EX-17) and its own fee; check the photo requirements on that procedure's page.

6. Proof of address (empadronamiento)

Empadronamiento is not on the official document list for the NIE. Empadronamiento is registration at your place of residence with the local municipality (Ayuntamiento); you will need it for many other procedures anyway, so it is convenient to arrange it in advance.

7. Power of attorney (if submitted by a representative)

RD 1155/2024 (art. 205) says the NIE is requested in person. Form EX-15 does have a field for a representative who files the application. Check with the office in advance whether filing through a representative is possible in your case.

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a NIE in 2026

Obtaining a NIE takes several steps: book a cita previa through the Sede Electrónica, pay the state fee at a bank in advance, gather your documents, attend the appointment at the Oficina de Extranjería or a police station, and receive the certificate with your assigned number. The fee receipt is on the official document list, so pay before your visit.

Step 1: Getting a cita previa (appointment)

The NIE application is filed in person. Police appointments for foreigners are booked through the prior-appointment system — cita previa. The official procedure page does not say whether walk-ins are served, so plan your visit around a cita.

How to book online:

1. Go to the website of the Sede Electrónica de las Administraciones Públicas (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es)
2. Choose the province (for example, Valencia)
3. Choose the police procedure for NIE assignment and certificates (the exact name in the list varies by province)
4. Enter your details: document type (passport), number, first name, surname
5. Choose an available date and time
6. Confirm the appointment and save the PDF confirmation

Attention: Free slots disappear very quickly, especially in Valencia. Check the website early in the morning (between 8:00 and 9:00) — that is when new dates most often appear. If there are no slots, refresh the page every day; places are freed up periodically due to cancellations.

Tip: There are unofficial services and Telegram bots that monitor the appearance of free slots. Use them at your own risk, but many expats in Valencia note that this is the only realistic way to get a cita quickly.

Hunting for slots is a science of its own — when they are released, which offices are less busy and how to avoid scammers — we cover it all in the guide “Cita previa at extranjería: how to catch an appointment”.

Step 2: Paying the fee (modelo 790, código 012)

Before your visit to the office you need to pay the state fee:

1. Generate the modelo 790 código 012 form online on the Policía Nacional website (sede.policia.gob.es) and select "Asignación de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) a instancia del interesado"
2. Fill in the form: your full name, passport number, NIE (if you already have one — leave it blank when getting it for the first time)
3. Print the generated form
4. Take it to the bank and pay in cash (or by debit from your account if you have one at that bank) — you will be given back the copies marked by the bank

Important: The fee must be paid before your visit to the Oficina de Extranjería: the receipt is on the official document list. According to the Policía Nacional, you can pay at banks, savings banks (cajas de ahorro) and credit cooperatives, and you do not need an account there.

Step 3: Preparing the documents

Gather the full set of documents (see the section above). Make sure that:

• The EX-15 form is filled in completely and without errors
• There is a copy of each document
• The modelo 790 is paid and you have proof of payment
• The justification of the request is attached

Step 4: Visit to the Oficina de Extranjería / Comisaría

On the appointed day, arrive 10–15 minutes before your cita. Bring with you:

• The printout of the cita previa confirmation
• The full set of documents (originals + copies)
• The paid modelo 790

The procedure usually takes 15–30 minutes. The official will check your documents and accept the application. By law the decision must be made and notified within 5 days of the application being registered; depending on the office, the certificate may be issued on the spot or you may be asked to come back later.

Step 5: Receiving the NIE certificate

In most cases in Valencia the certificate is issued the same day or you are offered to collect it in 1–3 working days. The certificate is an A4 sheet of paper with your assigned NIE number, a stamp and a signature. Keep it safe and make several copies.

Procedure for Ukrainian citizens

Ukrainians with temporary protection status (protección temporal) do not need a separate procedure to obtain a NIE: the number is assigned automatically when the status is processed, the temporary protection decision includes residence and work authorisation, and a TIE card is then issued by appointment. The standard application is only needed by those who never applied for temporary protection — for example, people who arrived on a visa.

For Ukrainians who arrived in Spain after 24 February 2022, the temporary protection regime (protección temporal) applies in accordance with the EU directive. This significantly simplifies a number of procedures.

Temporary protection status

If you arrived from Ukraine and obtained (or plan to obtain) temporary protection status:

1. The NIE is assigned automatically when the temporary protection status is processed. You do not need to go through a separate procedure to obtain the NIE — you receive the number and a case number as soon as the application is filed with its documents; with them you download the temporary protection certificate.

2. The TIE card. With the temporary protection certificate you apply, by appointment (cita previa), for a TIE — the same foreigner card other residents hold; it contains your NIE. The protection decision includes residence and work authorisation (work depending on age).

3. Renewal of the status. At EU level, temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended to 4 March 2028 (Decision (EU) 2026/1912); the Spanish TIE card is for now automatically valid until 4 March 2027 (Orden INT/96/2026). Keep an eye on updates on the Ministerio de Inclusión website — the renewal deadlines are reviewed periodically.

Document specifics

• Identity document. For temporary protection the official list names a passport, an identity document or another travel document. If your passport has expired, renew it through the Ukrainian consulate when possible.

• Ukrainian internal passport. An identity document (including the new-style ID card) is on that list for temporary protection. The official page does not say whether a translation is needed — ask at the office where you apply.

• Apostille. The official temporary protection page does not specify apostille requirements for documents proving family ties. Check at the specific office.

If you do not yet have temporary protection status

If you are a Ukrainian citizen but have not applied for temporary protection (for example, you arrived on a visa or had residence before 2022), the procedure for obtaining a NIE is the standard one described above. Even so, you can still apply for temporary protection if you meet the criteria.

Ukrainian consulate in Valencia

For passport renewals and consular certificates, contact the Ukrainian consulate. The current address and opening hours can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (mfa.gov.ua). Appointments are usually booked online.

Where to obtain a NIE

There are several places where you can process a NIE:

1. Oficina de Extranjería

The main place for processing immigration documents. Under RD 1155/2024 (art. 261), the NIE is assigned by the police services attached to the Oficina de Extranjería. The exact address and opening hours can be found on the website of the Subdelegación del Gobierno en Valencia.

2. Comisaría de Policía Nacional

You can also file the NIE application at a police station — the Policía Nacional procedure page says so explicitly. When you book the cita previa, the system will tell you which offices are available.

3. Spanish consulate abroad

If you are not yet in Spain, you apply for the NIE through the Spanish consulate in your country, which forwards it to the Comisaría General de Extranjería y Fronteras.

Which office to choose in Valencia

The cita previa system shows the offices available in the chosen province.

Tip: If you live in Valencia but cannot get a cita in the city, check the province's other offices in the cita previa list. It may require a trip, but it saves waiting time.

Cost and timelines

Cost

As of 2026:

• NIE fee (modelo 790, código 012): €9.84 for the NIE assignment; a resident or non-resident certificate costs €7.31. The Policía Nacional publishes the current amounts on its "Tasas de extranjería" page.
• Additional costs may include:
  • Photocopies of documents: €0.5–2
  • Photographs (if needed): €5–8
  • Sworn translation of documents: €30–80 per document (depends on the translator and the volume)
  • Gestoría (intermediary) services: €50–150 for full handling

Tip: A gestoría is a Spanish administrative consultancy firm that can take care of the whole process: from booking the cita to submitting the documents. If you are not confident in your Spanish or do not have time to figure it out, this is a convenient option, albeit a paid one.

Timelines

• Getting a cita previa: from a few days to 4–8 weeks (in Valencia the wait can be long)
• Processing the application: by law no more than 5 days from when the application is registered; if there is no answer within that time, the application is deemed refused
• Total time from start to finish: count on 2–8 weeks depending on the availability of a cita previa

For Ukrainians with temporary protection status the NIE is issued when the protection application is filed; according to the Ministerio de Inclusión, that procedure is resolved within 24 hours at most.

Common mistakes when obtaining a NIE

Over years of helping expats we have compiled a list of the most frequent mistakes. By avoiding them you will save time and nerves.

1. Unpaid fee

The most common mistake. People come to the cita without a paid modelo 790. The result — the application is refused and you have to book again. Always pay the fee before your visit.

2. Mismatched details in the documents

The first name and surname on the EX-15 form must exactly match the details in your passport. Pay attention to transliteration: Spanish officials will check letter by letter. If your passport says "VOLODYMYR", do not write "VLADIMIR".

3. No justification

Simply turning up and saying "I need a NIE" is not enough. By law you must state a specific reason for the request (the "Motivos" field on EX-15); a document supporting it lowers the risk of refusal.

4. Forgotten document copies

Spanish bureaucracy loves copies. The originals will be returned to you, but the copies stay in the file. If you have no copies, you may be sent to the nearest photocopier (if there is one) or asked to come back another day.

5. Arriving late for the cita previa

If you are late for the cita, you lose the slot. The system is strict: being even 5 minutes late can mean you will not be seen. Arrive early.

6. Wrong office

Make sure you go to the office indicated in your cita previa confirmation. In Valencia several offices process foreigners' documents, and they are located in different parts of the city.

7. Filling in the form in another language

The EX-15 form is filled in only in Spanish. Not in English, not in Russian, not in Ukrainian. If you are not confident in your Spanish, ask someone you know to help or go to a gestoría.

8. Trying to process a NIE without being registered at a place of residence

Empadronamiento is not on the official document list for the NIE, but you will need it for many other procedures. It is better to do the empadronamiento in advance — it is free and usually quick.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can you get a NIE without a cita previa?

The official Policía Nacional procedure page lists in-person filing only and does not say whether walk-ins are served. Police appointments for foreigners are booked through the cita previa system, so count on booking one rather than on a walk-in queue.

How long is the NIE valid?

The NIE is a number assigned for life. RD 1155/2024 sets no validity period for the NIE certificate (the paper with the number); some institutions may ask for a recent one. You can obtain a new certificate again. The number itself does not change.

Can I work with a NIE but without a TIE?

The NIE by itself does not grant the right to work. To work legally in Spain you need a work permit (autorización de trabajo), which is usually tied to your residence permit. For Ukrainians with temporary protection status the work permit is included in the status.

Does having a NIE make me a Spanish tax resident?

No. The NIE is just an identification number for administrative and tax procedures, not a status. Temporary protection and the TIE card are also a separate matter — an immigration status, not a tax criterion. You become a Spanish tax resident under art. 9 of Ley 35/2006 (LIRPF) if at least one of these applies: (1) you spend more than 183 days in Spain during the calendar year, or (2) the main base of your economic interests (your main activity or sources of income) is located here. Holding a NIE or a TIE by itself does not substitute for these criteria and does not automatically create tax residency. More in the guide Tax residency under temporary protection.

Can I obtain a NIE through a representative?

Not guaranteed. RD 1155/2024 (art. 205) says the NIE is requested in person, or from abroad through a Spanish consulate. Form EX-15 has a field for a representative who files the application, but check in advance whether the office accepts filing through a representative.

What to do if there are no free cita previa slots?

This is one of the biggest problems, especially in Valencia. A few tips:

• Check the website daily 8:00–9:00 in the morning
• Watch for cancellations — slots are freed up randomly
• Check the other offices cita previa offers in your province
• Go to a gestoría — they often have their own ways of getting a cita
• Use specialised Telegram channels for expats in your city

Do Ukrainian documents need to be translated?

For the main procedures (applying for a NIE) the passport is usually enough, as it contains details in two languages. If additional documents are required (birth certificate, certificates), they must be translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The list of accredited translators is published on exteriores.gob.es.

Can the NIE process be sped up?

Officially — no. Unofficially, a gestoría can help find a cita previa sooner and prepare the documents correctly, which reduces the risk of refusal. But "speeding up" the issuance of the number once the documents have been submitted is impossible — it is a standard administrative procedure.

What to do if I am refused a NIE?

Refusals happen. The usual reasons: an incomplete set of documents, unconvincing justification, problems with the passport. The decision must be notified within 5 days; if there is no answer within that time, the application is deemed refused. Fix the shortcomings and reapply. If you consider the refusal unjustified, you can file a recurso de reposición within 1 month (decided by the same body) or a claim in the administrative courts (contencioso-administrativo) within 2 months — or consult a lawyer specialising in immigration law.

I lost my NIE certificate. What do I do?

The NIE number stays assigned to you. You need to obtain a new certificate (duplicado). The procedure is similar: cita previa, modelo 790, application. The number will remain the same.

Useful links

Official resources

• Sede Electrónica (booking a cita previa, downloading forms): sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es

• Form EX-15 (NIE application): inclusion.gob.es → Migraciones → Modelos generales

• Modelo 790 código 012 (paying the fee): sede.policia.gob.es → Tasa 790 - Código 012

• Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (general information): inclusion.gob.es

• Portal de Inmigración (detailed information about procedures): inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones

Resources for Ukrainians

• Information about temporary protection: The section on inclusion.gob.es dedicated to Ukraine

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (consulates abroad): mfa.gov.ua

• Ukrainian consulate in Spain: Information on the website of the Embassy of Ukraine in Spain (spain.mfa.gov.ua)

Useful tools

• List of sworn translators: exteriores.gob.es (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación)

• Empadronamiento in Valencia: Website of the Ayuntamiento de Valencia (valencia.es), "Padrón municipal" section

Conclusion

Obtaining a NIE is the first and one of the most important steps for any foreigner in Spain. For Ukrainian citizens, especially those with temporary protection status, the process is significantly simplified, but it still requires attention to detail.

The main recommendations:

1. Start with the cita previa — book as early as possible
2. Gather all the documents in advance — do not leave it to the last day
3. Pay the fee before your visit — this is a mandatory condition
4. Check the details — matching names, correctly filled-in forms
5. Do not hesitate to ask for help — gestoría, lawyers, expat communities

If you have questions or want to share your experience of obtaining a NIE in Valencia, join our community. Together it is easier to make sense of Spanish bureaucracy.

Disclaimer: The information in this guide is current as of September 2026. Administrative procedures in Spain may change. For the most up-to-date information, consult official sources or a qualified lawyer.