Where clients get caught out
Buyers often discover days before completion that they have no NIE, and the notary cannot sign the deed without it. Request it as soon as you start looking for property.
What the NIE is
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is a unique, personal and permanent number assigned to foreigners who have economic, professional or social dealings with Spain. It appears on all your Spanish tax, property and banking documents. It is only a number: it does not prove residence and does not allow you to work.
Who needs a NIE
Anyone who will buy or sell property, inherit Spanish assets, open a bank account, set up or invest in a company, buy a car or register for taxes. Both spouses need their own NIE if they buy together. EU citizens who come to live in Mallorca receive their NIE with the registration certificate; non-EU residents get it with their residence card (TIE).
Documents
- Form EX-15, completed and signed.
- Passport and a copy.
- Proof of the reason for the request: a reservation contract, a letter from the notary or bank, an inheritance document.
- Proof of payment of the fee, form 790, code 012, paid at a Spanish bank.
Steps in Mallorca
Book an appointment online for "foreigners, NIE certificates" at the police in Palma, attend with the documents, and you usually receive the NIE certificate on the day or a few days later. Appointments can be hard to find in high season.
Getting a NIE without travelling
You can apply at the Spanish consulate of your country, or grant a power of attorney so that our lawyers obtain it for you in Mallorca. See power of attorney and residency in Mallorca.
Castell.law is the English and German-speaking practice of Castell Abogados, a law firm in Palma de Mallorca. This page is general information, not advice on a specific case: laws and procedures change, so check your situation with us before acting.
Not sure where you stand? Ask before you sign
Tell us about your matter or send us the documents you have. A lawyer will explain the risks, the options and the cost before you commit to anything.
Questions about the NIE in Mallorca
What is a NIE?
The foreigner identity number, needed to buy property, open a bank account, sign contracts or pay taxes in Spain.
Does a NIE give me residence in Spain?
No. The NIE is only an identification number; residence requires a registration certificate or a residence permit.
Can I get a NIE without travelling to Mallorca?
Yes. At a Spanish consulate abroad, or through our lawyers with a power of attorney.