Get Your NIE Quickly: Practical Guide and Essential Steps
Discover the essential steps to get your NIE in Spain quickly. Follow our practical guide to facilitate your procedures.
International Mobility Expert
Get Your NIE Quickly: Tips to Avoid Delays and Hassles
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is essential for any formality in Spain. Without it, you can't open a bank account, rent or buy a home, or sign an employment contract. Students, expats, or parents of students must therefore obtain this number at the very beginning of their settlement. This 2025 guide reviews the best practices for saving time: making an appointment in advance, choosing the right police station, logging in at the right times, and even using a professional service.
Anticipate the Request as Early as Possible
The appointment for the NIE is made online on the Spanish Immigration Police website, but slots are very limited and go very quickly. In particular, large cities like Madrid or Barcelona have huge waiting lists. It is therefore crucial to start as early as possible. Obtaining the NIE can take up to two months, hence the importance of applying without delay. This number is required for many procedures: opening a bank account or subscribing to services, signing a lease or buying a home, school registrations, etc. Without a NIE, no procedure will move forward. Therefore, as soon as you prepare your project (moving, internship, work, studies…), anticipate the NIE request to avoid subsequent blockages.
Advice
Choose the Right Application Location
Another key tip is not to limit yourself to large, saturated police stations. NIE applications can be submitted at any authorized police station: avoiding those in Madrid or Barcelona can save you valuable time. Indeed, in a provincial police station or a small town in the same region, the queue is often much shorter. These local offices frequently issue the NIE at the first appointment.
In practice, going to a less busy police station (even if it means a longer drive) significantly increases your chances of getting the NIE without additional difficulty. However, be aware: some provincial police stations refuse to process applications from residents of large cities. There is therefore a significant risk of refusal when submitting your application.
NIE Application at a Police Station
To get your NIE in Spain, the most common procedure is to submit an application at an authorized police station. It is imperative to make an appointment in advance. On the day of the appointment, you will need to appear in person with all the required documents: the duly completed EX-15 form, your valid passport or national identity card, and recent proof of address. The police station will check your entire file before assigning a foreigner identification number if the application is compliant. Processing times may vary depending on the police station's workload and the time of year, so it is advisable to anticipate your request as much as possible. A complete and well-prepared file is the best guarantee for quickly obtaining your NIE and avoiding unnecessary delays.
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Log in at the Right Times
Timing is crucial to get an online appointment. The appointment scheduling website generally releases new slots on Monday morning at 8:00 AM sharp. You must therefore be logged in right at 8 AM and refresh the page frequently (e.g., every 5 minutes between 8 AM and 9 AM) to try to register your request when availability opens up. In addition, some expats advise looking for slots late at night (after midnight): late-cancelled appointments may appear at this time. In summary, the Monday 8 AM slot and nighttime vigilance are two effective strategies for more easily obtaining a NIE appointment in Spain.
Hire a Professional if Needed
As a last resort, you can delegate the procedure to a lawyer or a specialized service provider. This solution is paid (a few hundred euros), but it ensures rapid processing of the file. For example, AcheterenEspagne cites a cost of around €250 + €80 for a power of attorney for a Spanish lawyer. For their part, expatriation assistance agencies like Hiliv offer a turnkey service for obtaining the NIE. Hiliv stands out with a competitive rate of €130, with an average turnaround time of 20 working days. If not obtained, a refund is guaranteed.
Advantages
- Maximum time savings and near certainty of getting the NIE quickly.
- The professional takes care of everything (making the appointment, preparing the file, follow-up).
- The deadlines are then very well managed.
Disadvantages
- An additional cost is to be expected (a few hundred euros depending on the provider).
- You delegate the management of the process to a third party, which may not suit everyone.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Key points to check:
- Complete and up-to-date documents: Make sure you have all the required documents. Bring all requested documentation on the day of the appointment: EX-15 and 790 forms, original+copy of passport or national ID, proof of the reason for the request, etc.
- Payment of the Modelo 790 tax: Pre-fill the administrative tax form (around €9.84 in 2025) and pay it before your appointment. Payment can be made online or at an authorized bank.
- Forms filled out correctly: Complete the EX-15 and 790 forms in CAPITAL LETTERS and in Spanish. Check each field: for example, in Spanish "nombre" means first name, while "apellidos" are your last names.
- Follow the appointment instructions: Be on time and allow enough time. Do not forget to bring the original and a copy of each document.
- Final check: Reread your file to avoid any errors. A complete and error-free file is processed more quickly.
For more details on the documents and procedure, consult our complete guide to the NIE in Spain.
Conclusion
In summary, the NIE is an essential document for all foreigners wishing to settle or carry out administrative procedures in Spain. Whether you submit your NIE application at a Spanish police station or a Spanish consulate in your home country, it is crucial to prepare your file well and provide all the necessary documents to avoid any delay. This identification number will open the doors to administrative, economic, and social life in Spain. By anticipating your procedures and respecting the processes, you will put all the chances on your side to obtain your NIE quickly.