NIE number in Spain: how to get the appointment
The NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is the tax and identification number every foreigner needs in Spain. Getting the number is easy. Getting the appointment to apply for it is the hard part.
The essentials
| What it is | Foreigner Identity Number — your tax ID in Spain |
|---|---|
| Official procedure code | 4031 — Asignacion de NIE |
| Where you book | ICPPlus, the Ministry of the Interior booking system |
| Who needs it | Anyone with economic, professional or social interests in Spain |
| Is it a residence permit? | No. A NIE is a number, not a right to live or work here |
| Does it expire? | The number is for life. The paper certificate has a validity period |
| Can you book in any province? | Yes for the NIE — unlike the TIE, which is tied to your file |
What to bring
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Form EX-15, completed | Free download from the Ministry site |
| Passport, original and photocopy | Every page with a stamp |
| Proof of your reason for applying | Job offer, property purchase, notary appointment, study enrolment |
| Form 790 code 012, paid | The fee is a few euros. Pay at any bank before you go |
Bring originals and copies. Offices routinely turn people away for a missing photocopy.
Why there are never any appointments
The Spanish administration releases NIE slots in unpredictable batches — no fixed day, no fixed hour. In the busiest provinces a released slot is taken within 60 to 120 seconds. If you check the site once a day, you will essentially never see one. This is not a rumour: it is what our own monitoring records, around the clock.
What we actually do
We watch the official ICPPlus site continuously for the province and procedure you choose, and the moment a slot appears we notify you by email, Telegram and — on the VIP plan — SMS. You book it yourself on the government site. We never book on your behalf: automated booking would be illegal, and we do not do it.
Frequently asked
Do you get me the appointment?
No. We alert you the second one appears so you can book it yourself. Nobody can guarantee an appointment, because the government decides when to release them.
Can I apply for a NIE from outside Spain?
Yes, through the Spanish consulate in your country. This page is about applying inside Spain, at an Immigration Office.
NIE or TIE?
The NIE is a number. The TIE is a physical card for non-EU residents, and it carries your NIE on it. See our TIE renewal page.
What if no slot ever appears?
If we never send you a single alert during the monitoring period, you get a 100% refund. See the guarantee.