Apply from your country
Get a NIE from your country — the consulate route
Every Spanish consulate accepts NIE applications from residents of its district. The procedure is similar everywhere: book a cita, prove your identity and your economic tie to Spain, wait. Country pages below give the local specifics.
TL;DR
- Consulate route works from any country — but waits run 4–12 weeks.
- Expect apostille + sworn translation for non-Spanish documents.
- UK post-Brexit demand is high — book months ahead or use POA.
- Faster alternative: representative on POA — 5–10 working days, no consulate queue.
Consulate guides by country
United Kingdom
NIE from the UK
London & Manchester consulates, post-Brexit rules, document checklist.
How the consulate route works (any country)
1. Book the cita
Consulates run their own booking systems; NIE slots are limited and post-Brexit demand keeps them scarce.
2. Prepare the pack
Passport, application form, proof of the economic reason (property deed, job offer, investment), fee payment. Foreign documents: apostille + sworn translation.
3. File and wait
The consulate forwards the file to Spain. Typical turnaround 4–12 weeks; you collect the certificate in person or by registered post where offered.
The faster alternative: POA representative
A power of attorney lets a representative in Spain file at the police station directly — bypassing the consulate queue entirely. You sign the POA at a notary in your country (or at the Spanish consulate), send it, and the application proceeds in Spain: typically 5–10 working days. How the representative route works →
Don't want the consulate queue?
We file on POA — you sign once at a local notary, we do the rest. 5–10 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a NIE without travelling to Spain?
Yes — consulate route (4–12 weeks) or POA representative (5–10 working days).
How do I get a NIE from the UK after Brexit?
Consulate cita in London or Manchester, standard pack, apostilled documents where needed. Waits are long; POA is often faster.
Which documents need apostille?
Foreign-issued civil documents and POAs. Your passport usually not.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs — NIE · Sede Electrónica Policía Nacional
We are not a government body. We are a tax & accounting service assisting with NIE applications and Spanish paperwork. Facts verified 24 September 2026.