NIE Number Spain: How Long Does It Actually Take?

The NIE was the one thing we got right. We applied months before we found the property we eventually bought in this area, and when we finally found it, we could move straight away. I know people who weren't as organised and it cost them weeks. In one case it cost them the deal. Here is what you need to know about how long it takes and how to avoid the waiting.

What Is the NIE and Why Do You Need It?

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is Spain's foreigner tax identification number. It is a prerequisite for virtually every step in the property buying process:

• You need it to open a Spanish bank account
• You need it to sign the purchase deed at the notary
• You need it to pay ITP (property transfer tax)
• Your property will be registered in your name with your NIE
• All future Spanish property taxes are linked to it

Without a NIE, the Spanish property buying process cannot complete. This makes it the first thing to sort, ideally months before you find the property you want to buy. This applies whether you're buying property in Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola, Benahavís or anywhere on the Costa del Sol.

The Three Ways to Get a NIE: and How Long Each Takes

Option 1: Spanish consulate in the UK

Apply through the Spanish consulate covering your region (London, Edinburgh, or Manchester). You submit an appointment request online, attend in person with your documents, and the NIE is processed and returned to you.

Processing time: 3 to 8 weeks, depending on the consulate's appointment availability and current processing volume. Busy periods, particularly in spring and summer when foreign property purchases peak, can push waiting times out significantly.

Best for: Buyers who are not yet planning a trip to Spain and want to start the NIE process without travelling.

Option 2: In person at a Spanish police station (in Spain)

If you are already in Spain or planning a trip, you can apply directly at the Extranjería (foreigners) section of a Spanish National Police station. Many offices require an appointment, which you book online through the Spanish government appointment system.

Processing time: Same day to a few days if you have an appointment. The appointment availability itself may take 2 to 3 weeks to secure.

Best for: Buyers who are visiting Spain to view properties and can book an appointment slot during their trip.

Option 3: By proxy through a Spanish lawyer

Your lawyer applies on your behalf in Spain using a power of attorney you sign in the UK (sometimes requiring an apostille). The lawyer submits the application locally at the police station in Spain.

Processing time: Typically 2 to 4 weeks from the date you provide the signed power of attorney. This is often the fastest and most convenient option for buyers still in the UK.

Best for: Buyers who want to start the NIE process immediately without waiting for an appointment slot, and who have already appointed a Spanish property lawyer.

The One Mistake That Costs the Most Time

The most expensive NIE mistake is not starting the application until after you have found a property.

At that point, you are emotionally committed to a purchase, the agent is pushing for a reservation, and you are suddenly scrambling to get a document that should already be in hand. If the consulate has a six-week wait for appointments, you are losing six weeks during which the seller could accept another offer. I've seen this happen to people who were so close to getting the property they wanted.

Start your NIE application before you start viewing. The NIE costs nothing to have in advance. The delay costs you deals.

PlanMarbella.com walks you through the NIE, bank account, and the full buying sequence in the right order. Free at planmarbella.com.