NIE in Spain: What It Is, Its Purpose, and How to Obtain It

If you are Brazilian and have arrived—or plan to arrive—in Spain, NIE will appear in your first days. Bank accounts, work contracts, rental agreements, school enrollment: almost all procedures require this number. But what exactly is the NIE and how do you get it?

What is the NIE?

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the tax identification number for foreigners in Spain. It is a unique alphanumeric code—personal and permanent—that starts with a letter (X, Y or Z), followed by seven digits and another verification letter at the end.

Think of it as equivalent to Brazil's CPF: without it, you practically do not exist within the Spanish system.

What is it used for?

The NIE is required for almost any legal or financial procedure:

• Signing a work contract
• Opening a bank account
• Renting or purchasing property
• Paying taxes and contributions to Social Security
• Enrolling children in public school
• Registering a vehicle under your name
• Any significant purchase or contract

Is it mandatory?

Yes—for any foreigner who will reside, work, or engage in economic activities in Spain for more than three months. Tourists and short-term visitors do not need one, but those planning to stay should apply as soon as possible.

Attention: The NIE by itself is not a residence document. It only identifies you fiscally. The right to legally reside in Spain is given by another document—the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). We will discuss this in a separate guide.

How to obtain the NIE

There are two ways: in Spain or from Brazil, before traveling.

In Spain

The most common way. The process is done at the Policía Nacional or the Extranjería of your municipality.

Step-by-step:

1. Schedule an appointment (cita previa) through the official booking portal or by phone 060
2. Download and fill out the EX-15 form on the National Police website
3. Pay the fee—Model 790, Code 012 (approximately €9.84)—at any Spanish bank
4. Attend your scheduled appointment with all documents

The NIE is issued on the same day. The biggest challenge is getting a cita previa: slots fill up quickly, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. It's worth accessing the system at dawn or installing vacancy alert apps for Android and iOS.

From Brazil—through the Spanish consulate

Less known but fully valid: it’s possible to request the NIE from Brazil at your region's responsible Spanish consulate.

The process is the same—EX-15 form, documents, payment of the fee—but done in person at the consulate. The main consulates are:

Consulate	States Served
São Paulo	SP, PR, SC, RS, MT, MS, GO, DF and others
Rio de Janeiro	RJ, MG, ES
Recife	Northeast and North
Porto Alegre	RS (alternative to the one in São Paulo)

This option is particularly useful for those with a defined start date for work who need the NIE to sign a contract immediately upon arrival in Spain.

Required Documents

To apply in Spain:

• Valid original passport + copy of all pages with data
• Filled out and signed EX-15 form
• Proof of payment for Tasa 790, Code 012
• Document justifying the need for NIE (job offer, property deed, enrollment document, etc.)

To apply in Brazil (consulate):

• All documents above
• Recent 3x4 photo
• Pre-scheduled appointment on the corresponding consulate's website

How long does it take?

In Spain, the NIE is generally issued on the same day of the appointment. The real waiting time lies in scheduling the appointment—it can vary from a few days to over a month, depending on the city and season.

Through the consulate in Brazil, the timeframe varies by unit. It’s recommended to schedule at least 30 days in advance before your trip.

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