How to get a NIE in Spain: 4 routes compared
TL;DR
- There are four routes to a Spanish NIE: police station in Spain, Spanish consulate abroad, POA representative (Ley 39/2015), or as part of a long-stay visa application.
- All four use form EX-15 and the same €9.84 fee on Modelo 790 código 012.
- The legal deadline for resolution is 5 working days, but realistic timing depends on the route: 1–4 weeks in Spain, 2–4 weeks via POA, 4–12 weeks at consulates.
- Cita previa slots are free — anyone charging for a guaranteed slot is scamming.
- There's no official express NIE. The same 5-day rule applies to everyone.
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Facts verified 22 September 2026 against the Sede Electrónica de la Policía Nacional procedure page, Ley 39/2015 (POA), and Real Decreto 557/2011.
Key facts: the four routes at a glance
| Route | Where you are | Realistic timing | Total cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Police station in Spain | In Spain | 1–4 weeks (4-week cita + 5-day resolution) | €9.84 + your time | Anyone already in Spain, wants to control the process |
| 2. Spanish consulate abroad | Outside Spain | 4–12 weeks | €9.84 + apostille + translation | People who can't travel, have time |
| 3. POA representative | Anywhere | 2–4 weeks | flat service fee (incl. €9.84) | People outside Spain who want it done by someone |
| 4. Long-stay visa application | Applying from outside | 4–24 weeks | €80 visa + €9.84 NIE | People who need a visa anyway (work, non-lucrative, student) |
Route 1: police station in Spain (you, in person)
You're in Spain. You book a cita previa at sede.policia.gob.es, take your passport + filled EX-15 + €9.84 paid on Modelo 790 código 012 + cita confirmation, and attend your slot. Resolution: 5 working days by law.
When it works
You're already in Spain for any reason — tourist, work, residence, study. You have a Spanish phone number for the cita OTP.
Realistic wait
1–4 weeks total. The bottleneck is the cita previa — Madrid Atocha can be 6–8 weeks out, smaller cities 1–2. Once you're at the police station, 5 working days is the resolution deadline.
What it costs
- €9.84 fee (Modelo 790 código 012)
- Time: ~1 day for the appointment, 1 day for document prep, plus the wait
- Optional: €20–50 per apostilled document, €20–50 per sworn translation
Route 2: Spanish consulate abroad (you, in person, in your country)
You live outside Spain. You apply at a Spanish consulate in your country of residence. Each consulate has its own booking system — usually electronicappointment.maec.gob.es for European consulates, or a consulate-specific portal elsewhere.
When it works
You live abroad and want to do it yourself. You're willing to wait 4–12 weeks.
What it costs
- €9.84 fee (Modelo 790 código 012, paid at the consulate in local currency equivalent)
- Document apostille (Hague 1961) — £30–75 in UK, $5–25 per US state, varies
- Sworn Spanish translation — €20–50 per page
- Travel to the consulate twice: once to file, once to collect
Real-life wait
London consulate: 4–8 weeks typical. US consulates: 2–8 weeks by city. Berlin/Paris/Rome: 3–6 weeks. Moscow consulate: suspended since 2023 — apply from a third country.
Route 3: POA representative (remote, via power of attorney)
You stay where you are. A representative with a registered power of attorney (Ley 39/2015, Artículo 5) files the EX-15 in Spain on your behalf. The police station is their problem, not yours.
When it works
You live abroad and want it done without travel. You have all the documents ready (passport, apostille, sworn translation if needed). The representative files on their slot — you don't need a cita previa of your own.
What it costs
- flat service fee (depending on tier — Basic/Premium/Advance)
- Includes €9.84 fee, POA drafting, document checks, certificate pickup
- Apostille + sworn translation: extra (€50–€100 per document)
- POA itself: notarised + apostilled in your country (~€50–€150)
Why it's faster than the consulate
The representative has an established cita slot at the police station — they don't wait in the public queue. They go on a slot reserved for legal representatives. Same form, same fee, different queue.
Route 4: as part of a long-stay visa application
You apply for a visa (work, non-lucrative, student, family reunification) at a Spanish consulate. As part of the visa process, the consulate issues your NIE along with the visa. You don't apply for the NIE separately.
When it works
You need a Spanish visa for more than 90 days of stay. The visa process itself takes 4–24 weeks by type; the NIE is bundled in.
What it costs
- Visa fee (varies): €80 standard, €84.85 for non-lucrative, free for family reunification
- €9.84 NIE fee (separate line on the same Modelo 790 código 012)
- Document apostille + sworn translation (same as consulate route)
What you get
The visa stamp + the NIE number at the same time. Some consulates give you the NIE immediately with the visa; others send a follow-up. Either way, the NIE is yours once the visa is granted.
Which route should I pick?
Three questions, one answer:
- Are you in Spain right now? Yes → police station. No → consulate or POA.
- Do you also need a visa? Yes → visa route, the NIE is bundled. No → POA is fastest.
- Do you have time to wait? 4–12 weeks and don't mind doing it yourself → consulate. Otherwise → POA.
If you're picking POA, the Basic tier covers the standard in-Spain POA. Premium includes notary fees and underage handling. Advance (consulate route, 7–10 days) bundles apostille and sworn translation.
Common mistakes across all routes
- Treating the 790/012 as a generic fee. Same form, different fee codes. NIE is €9.84 on a specific line; TIE first is €16.08; TIE renewal is €19.30. Tick the wrong line and your application gets refused.
- Missing the apostille. UK, US and other Hague 1961 countries need apostilled documents for use in Spain. No apostille = consulate rejects your application.
- Confusing types of sworn translation. "Sworn" in Spain = done by a traductor jurado registered with the MAEC. Regular translators don't qualify.
- Picking the wrong consulate category. "Policía — asignación de NIE" is for the police station. "Policía — certificados" is for renewals. "Policía — huellas" is for fingerprint appointments.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to get a NIE in Spain?
If you're already in Spain: file the EX-15 in person at a police station. The legal deadline is 5 working days, but realistically you wait 1–4 weeks including the cita previa slot. If you're abroad: hire a POA representative to file on your behalf (2–4 weeks end-to-end) or apply at a Spanish consulate (4–12 weeks).
Can I get a NIE without going to Spain?
Yes — at a Spanish consulate in your country (4–12 weeks wait). Faster: hire a POA representative under Ley 39/2015 — the representative files the EX-15 in Spain on your behalf (2–4 weeks).
Do I need a NIE to open a Spanish bank account?
Yes, in practice. Since 2019 FATF alignment, all Spanish banks require a NIE for non-EU accounts. Alternative documents like a passport are no longer accepted for opening new accounts.
What's the difference between a NIE and a TIE?
NIE is the number — for life, never reassigned. TIE is the physical residence card that holds the NIE for non-EU/EEA foreigners with a residence permit. EU/EEA citizens get an EU certificate (CUE) instead of a TIE.
Can I get a NIE before I move to Spain?
Yes — at a Spanish consulate in your current country (with EX-15, 790/012 fee, and apostilled/sworn-translated documents). Most banks, property sellers and employers accept a non-resident NIE for transactions that happen before your move.
Which route is cheapest?
Doing it yourself: €9.84 fee + apostilles + sworn translation, plus your time. Service options: budget DIY-helper agencies, or full-service agencies handling the EX-15, cita, fee and certificate pickup.
How do I get a NIE from the UK or Ireland after Brexit?
Same routes, but UK and Irish citizens are treated as non-EU/EEA for immigration purposes. Apply at the Spanish consulate in London, Edinburgh, Manchester or Dublin (4–12 weeks) or use a POA representative (2–4 weeks).
Related guides
Sources
- Sede Electrónica de la Policía Nacional — Asignación de NIE (procedure page, fee €9.84)
- Sede Electrónica de la Policía Nacional — Cita previa para trámites de extranjería
- Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores — Electronic appointment for Spanish consulates
- Ley 39/2015, Artículo 5 — Poderes de representación administrativa
- Real Decreto 557/2011, Art. 206 — Reglamento de Extranjería
- Ministerio del Interior — Schengen visa fees schedule (€80 standard)
Reviewed by the Happy Residence S.L. team. Routes, fees and timelines reflect the current Sede Electrónica documentation; specific offices may interpret the rules differently. We re-verify after each regulatory change. We are an administrative assistance service, not a public administration.