How do I get an NIE number to buy in Spain?

An NIE is your Spanish foreigner identification number. The notary will not complete a purchase without it, and you also need it for a bank account, a mortgage and tax. You can apply in person in Spain, through a Spanish consulate, or through a lawyer with a power of attorney.

There are three usual routes. In Spain you book an appointment at a police station or foreigners’ office. From your home country you can usually apply through a Spanish consulate, where waiting times vary. Or you sign a notarised and apostilled power of attorney and your lawyer applies for you, which is the route most buyers use because you do not need to travel.

The government fee is small, about €10, but the lawyer route usually costs a few hundred euros in total. Allow anything from a few weeks to a couple of months, so start before you find a property rather than after.

Missing a completion date because the NIE is not ready can put your deposit at risk, which is why we suggest sorting it early.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and figures were last checked in November 2026 and change, so take independent advice from a Spanish lawyer for your own purchase.