NIE & Residency in Spain
sorted.
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the first thing you need for almost everything in Spain: buying property, opening a bank account, starting a business, or registering a car. We guide you through the process and handle the paperwork.
Services included
- NIE application preparation and review
- Appointment management at Consulate or Policía Nacional
- Empadronamiento (municipal registration) guidance
- EU Certificate of Residency (Certificado de Registro)
- Non-EU TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) support
- Digital certificate (Cl@ve) setup assistance
- All communication in English
Not all NIEs are equal
| Document | Who needs it | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| NIE (number only) | Non-residents: property buyers, investors. | Spanish tax identity only. |
| Certificado de Registro UE | EU/EEA citizens living in Spain. | EU right to reside in Spain. |
| TIE (tarjeta) | Non-EU nationals living in Spain. | Residency permit + NIE combined. |
Step by Step
How we manage your NIE application
Initial consultation
We assess your situation: EU or non-EU, resident or non-resident, property buyer or business owner.
Document preparation
We prepare and review all required forms (EX-15 or EX-17) and supporting documentation in the correct format.
Appointment booking
We secure an appointment at the Policía Nacional or, for non-residents, at the Spanish Consulate in your country.
Attend appointment
You attend the appointment with your prepared documentation. We provide a full briefing so you know exactly what to expect.
NIE in hand
You receive your NIE and we connect it to your Spanish tax obligations, bank, or business as needed.
Common NIE & Residency questions
Yes. Non-residents can apply for a NIE at the Spanish Consulate in their home country. We prepare all documentation for this route and liaise with the consulate on your behalf. The process typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on appointment availability.
British citizens living in Spain must now apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) rather than the EU Certificate of Registration. If you moved to Spain before 31 December 2020 and haven’t yet upgraded your green card to a TIE, you should do so as soon as possible. We handle this process regularly.
Appointment availability varies by province. In busy areas like Málaga or Marbella, appointments at the Policía Nacional can take 2–6 weeks. We monitor availability across multiple offices to secure the earliest possible slot.
The empadronamiento (municipal registration) is mandatory for anyone who lives in Spain — even temporarily. It is required to access public services, renew documents, and in some cases to apply for residency. We guide you through the registration at your local Ayuntamiento.
Cl@ve is Spain’s digital identity system for interacting with public authorities online — filing taxes, checking your tax status, and responding to AEAT notifications. Once you are a tax resident or autónomo, you will need it regularly. We help you set it up and, as your tax representative, we handle most interactions on your behalf so you don’t need to use it for daily filings.
What say about us
“I’ve been working with Libretax for many years and they have always been my trusted accountants. I’ve recommended them many times to my clients in Manilva, Casares, Sotogrande and the Costa del Sol.”
“Very professional and attentive. Without doubt my trusted gestoría. Everything handled online and in English — exactly what I needed as an expat.”
“They explained everything in detail and gave me total peace of mind with Hacienda. The online process was seamless. I’d recommend LibreTax to any foreigner navigating Spanish taxes.”
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