Resident Number NIE
NIE is an abbreviation for Número de Identificación del Extranjero, which directly translates to the Foreigner Identification Number, also known to everyone as the Residence Number. When it comes to investment immigration or nonprofit residency in Spain.
NIE is a foreigner’s identity number .
Spanish law requires that you have an identification number for any legal activity or transaction in Spain. In other words, if a foreigner wants to buy a property or invest in Spain, the first thing to do is to apply for an NIE number. This is because Spanish law does not allow foreigners to use their passport as a valid document to buy or invest in property.
With an NIE the person can carry out any legal act in Spain, apart from buying property, and it is also convenient to open bank accounts.
Note: The NIE number does not mean that the person has the right to reside in Spain, it is only an identification number and does not represent the legal right of residence.
Will the NIE number change if I apply for residency in the future?
A person who has bought a property in Spain through an immigrant investor can obtain legal residence in Spain. After the acquisition of the legal residence, the person can continue to use the NIE number he/she has applied for, because the NIE number is limited to one per foreigner and cannot be changed.
Once the residency has been granted, the applicant should go to the police station and apply for a residence card (or “TIE” in Spanish). The residence card is then a proof of identity in the form of a physical card. Only foreigners who have legal residence in Spain can apply for a residence card.
How do I apply for an NIE number?
To apply for an NIE number, you need to go to your local Police Station.
In addition, if you are not in Spain, you can also apply at a Spanish consulate in a foreign country.
