The NIE to buy a house in Spain: what it is and how to apply

What the NIE is, and why you need it to buy a house

The NIE is a personal, unique and permanent number that Spain issues to a foreign national who has an economic, professional or social relationship with the country. Buying a house is exactly that: the notary writes your NIE into the deed, the Agencia Tributaria uses it for the taxes on the purchase and then for the annual ones, and utility companies ask for it to put the electricity and water in your name.

One thing I always make clear: the NIE isn't a residence permit, and it isn't residency itself. It's a tax ID number. Thousands of people who live in their own country and own a house in the Canary Islands have one; having it doesn't commit you to anything.

Where to apply

• In Spain: at the Oficina de Extranjería or the Comisaría de Policía for the province you're in, by appointment.
• From your country: at the Oficina Consular, that is, the Spanish consulate that covers your area. Ask that consulate how to book an appointment and how long it is currently taking: the number itself is issued not by the consulate but by the Spanish police.

My advice, if you already have a date to come to the Canaries: apply here, at the police station, on the first day you can. If you're still house-hunting from your own country, apply at the consulate while you search, so you're ready when the house comes along.

What you need

• Form EX-15, "Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados", filled in and signed, in the original plus a copy.
• A valid passport and a full copy of it.
• The reason for the request: for you, buying a property. The form asks for it, and some offices want a document that shows it, such as a purchase offer or the contrato de arras.
• The fee: form 790, code 012, paid before the appointment. The current amount is on the fee form at the time of payment; I don't give a figure here because it changes and the sources I've read don't state it.
• If someone applies on your behalf: a power of attorney and the representative's ID. Form EX-15 provides for this.

My advice, after years of NIEs

• Do it before you fall in love with a house. I've seen offers accepted and arras contracts delayed for weeks because the NIE hadn't arrived yet.
• The number doesn't expire; the paper certificate does. Keep the sheet and photograph it: the notary, the bank and the water company will all ask for it.
• If you have a partner buying with you, you both need a NIE: one each.
• If you're only in the Canaries for a few days and can't get an appointment, a gestoría, an agency that handles paperwork, can file the application for you with a power of attorney. I can tell you who to go to.

After the NIE: the account and the search

With the NIE in hand you can open a Spanish bank account, which you'll need for the balance at the notary and for the taxes, and you can start making offers. The next steps, from the arras to the signing at the notary, are in my buying guide.