[Anonymous]

I have a quick query on this if someone can answer.

The query I have is when exactly do I need my NIE number.

I’ve to pay my first deposit for an off plan property within 3 weeks. I put the reseravtion deposit down last week. Do I need the number to pay this deposit and IVA associated with it? Or is it on completion of the property that I need it i.e. in 2 years time?

Thanks in advance for the help

[Anonymous]

At the moment you have a private contract with the builder and your passport will do. NIE number will be required before you to a notary.

However for practical purposes have it as soon as possible, If you are in the UK you can get it from the Spanish Embassy. If you are using a solicitor he can obtain it for you.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

On the same topic, I am visiting Spain viewing in the near future and am curious if we can obtain the NIE without first having signed up for a property, for instance purpose of NIE ;To open bank account, does anyone know if thats possible or do you have to have the purchase agreement first.

[katy]

I think you need to have a spanish address.

[Anonymous]

Hi ,

Think it is that you don’t need NIE to open a bank account passports will do, you need NIE on completion of property as stated above , to obtain an NIE you do need a Spanish address or to be able to show you are buying a property.

Someone on the forum no doubt will post actual requirements I’m sure. 🙂

[Anonymous]

While you do not need an NIE or NIF number to buy a property in Spain, you do need a number in order to own a property.

[Anonymous]

Hi,
You should try to get the NIE number issued to you at some point before you sign the Title Deeds, you should show the address of the property on the application. Best to apply whilst you are here in Spain else it can be done in Manchester or London.

good luck
🙄

[Anonymous]

Lets just clear this up cos there are a few opinions here.

As with most things in Spain, what you should do and what can be done in reality are two different things.

You need an NIE (Foreigners Identification Number) to identify you to the tax authorities. You cannot pay taxes without it. Because buying a property/car involves paying tax, technically you need it before you do these things. In fact, as long as you have your NIE within about 2 weeks of signing for your property (the time you have available for paying the taxes) you should be OK. It really depends on your solicitors relationship with the Notary.

What you cannot do, is have someone else apply for it on your behalf. You must be phyically present at the police station with your original passport and the correctly filled application form to make your application. As long as you nominate someone at the time of your application to collect it on your behalf, this can be done at a later date.

There are a number of reasons why the authorities will issue an NIE number, but you can apply for the purpose of purchasing a property and you don’t need to be too specific about the address. (If you know what I mean).

As other people have said, it’s best to apply before you even start looking for a property, then you don’t get held up by the paperwork when you find what you’re looking for.

Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

@AndyH wrote:

Lets just clear this up cos there are a few opinions here.

You need an NIE (Foreigners Identification Number) to identify you to the tax authorities. You cannot pay taxes without it.

In fact, as long as you have your NIE within about 2 weeks of signing for your property (the time you have available for paying the taxes)

What you cannot do, is have someone else apply for it on your behalf.
You must be phyically present at the police station with your original passport and the correctly filled application form to make your application.

There are a number of reasons why the authorities will issue an NIE number, but you can apply for the purpose of purchasing a property and you don’t need to be too specific about the address. (If you know what I mean).

it’s best to apply before you even start looking for a property, then you don’t get held up by the paperwork when you find what you’re looking for.

Andy not sure where you are located but I can confirm that the current situation in the Valencia area is not how you describe it.
A valid EU passport is all that is required to buy a property here.

IVA has to be paid within 30 days of date of purchase using an NIE or NIF number.

An NIE number can easily be obtained within this 30 day time frame and in the case of an emergency a NIF number can be obtained by anyone in a few minutes at the tax office.

A lawyer with a power of attorney and verified copy of the passport can obtain an NIE number without that person being present.

An NIE or NIF number serves the same purpose as a UK NI number.

Francisco Sierra

[Melosine]

As AndyH says it is VERY important to have an`NIE when buying property in Spain for the tax purposes BUT you can have someone else apply IF you give them POA. We wnt to notory to give POA to our lawyer and although didn’t have a Spanish address…we were buying land….our lawyer gave us his address. Normal practice it seems to be * lodging with someone* and we certainly didn’t have to go to a police station.

Spain is a LARGE country divided into many regions and the national rules can and are interpreted differently.

[Anonymous]

About NIEs (Not to be confused with the resident card which is not compulsory now for UE citizens)

You MUST have one if you are going to make ANY kind of economic transaction.

Even if you open a Bank account, something you can initially do with your passport, you have a moth to provide them a valid NIE (although Banks are not to strict on this, the Tax Authorities may require it if you make transactions more than 3,000.00 Euro from this account)

You can also buy/sell a property before a Notario with your property but, as most of taxes are to be paid within a 30 day period and you must have your number in order to do so you’d better have the number before. Also, if you want the Notario to pay the taxes in your behalf, something that is commonly done here and quite convenient for foreign people, he will ask you provide him your number.

There are 3 ways to get the number:

1.- Before a Spanish Consulate.

You need to fill the ‘EX 14bis’ form ( http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/documentacion/ex14bis.pdf )
You must go in person as you will need to sign the form in their presence, with your valid passport, two passport size photographs and the application form for NIE, completed but not signed, An envelope (no stamps needed) addressed to: ‘Comisaría General de Extranjería y Documentación, Dirección General de Policía, C/ General Pardiñas, 90, 28006 Madrid, Spain’ And a stamped envelope with your address in the UK to send you a photocopy of your application form for an NIE number once it has been registered at the Consulate.

Your NIE number will go to a valid address in Spain, something you have to provide to receive official communications from Spanish Authorities (we usually offer our professional address to our clients for this purposes) The consulate will post the application to Madrid, the Comisaría General will take 60 days max to issue it and finally send it to your valid address in Spain

2.- In person Before the foreigners office in a local Police Station of the area (not every PS has a foreigners office, usually you will have to go to the Central PS of the Province)
You need to fill the ‘EX 14’ form ( http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/documentacion/ex-14.pdf ) and make them very clear you want the number only, not the residence card and that you are a non-resident
You will also need your passport and they wont usually ask you for the passport size photos but my advice is to take them with you just in case. Insist them politely but firmly saying you need it urgently and you will get it, most of times, the very same day within a couple of minutes (is better to go there around 9:00 just after they are open and much better if you speak fluent Spanish or go with a Spanish friend/lawyer to assist you)

3.- Giving a PoA to someone to apply in your name (I’ve only done this once and caused me some trouble)
Although in theory this procedure is to be done in person, If you give a PoA to someone specifying you are also granting him the faculty to apply for this number in your behalf and you also provide a legalized copy of your passport (both things can be done by an UK Notary Public) your lawyer should be able to do it in your name.
In practice, even if the legalization documents have The Hague Convention Apostille (which make them fully valid in Spain) you will find some trouble convincing the local officials that this documents are enough to apply and get a NIE in behalf of a third person… Also as they will tell you this is a complicated and unusual way to apply you can forget about the same-day period to get it…

Cesar

[Author]

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