For anyone who wants to buy, rent, work, invest, or start a business in Spain, the NIE number is an essential first step. The number itself is simple, but the process to obtain it rarely is. Spanish bureaucracy involves strict formalities, regional differences, and regulations that are frequently tightened.
As a result, we see many applicants running into the same pitfalls.
Although every situation is different, several recurring issues tend to cause unnecessary delays. Below, we outline the most common current obstacles and offer advice on how to avoid them.
Foreign Powers of Attorney No Longer Automatically Accepted
One of the biggest stumbling blocks in recent times is the use of foreign powers of attorney. Whereas for example a Dutch or Belgian notarised power of attorney used to be sufficient, we now see the Spanish authorities reject these more and more often, even when they are drafted in Spanish and bear an apostille.
What is accepted are Spanish notarised powers of attorney that explicitly state that the representative is authorised to apply for the NIE number on your behalf.
Advice: Always have a power of attorney reviewed in advance by a lawyer or local legal professional. This prevents unpleasant surprises later on.
Small Form Errors with Big Consequences
The forms required for the NIE procedure, such as the EX-15 and payment form 790-012, may look straightforward at first glance, but in practice they are assessed very strictly. A small mistake can mean you must book a new appointment which, in some regions, can set you back several weeks.
Common errors include: names that do not exactly match the passport (think accents, order, or double surnames), incorrectly ticked boxes, missing information, or a payment of form 790 that has not been properly processed. Missing photocopies or documents that have not been printed can also lead to rejection.
Form 790-012 is almost always accepted by the Spanish authorities only when the payment has been made directly at a Spanish bank and the receipt has been stamped by the bank to be considered valid.
Advice: Have your forms and payment receipts checked beforehand. This will help prevent administrative errors from delaying your application.
The Infamous Cita Previa
Another source of frustration for many applicants is booking the cita previa, the mandatory appointment at the police station or extranjería office. The system is often overloaded, and what makes it even more confusing is that not every office offers the same services.
In practice, we see applicants book an appointment at an office that does not handle NIE applications for non-residents at all, or they choose the wrong appointment category. The result: after waiting for weeks, they are told that their application cannot be processed.
Through experience, we know which offices actually offer the correct service and at what times new appointment slots typically become available. Booking the correct appointment from the start saves a lot of time and frustration.
Significant Regional Differences
Finally, it is important to understand that Spain does not follow a uniform process. While one office may operate smoothly, another may require additional documentation. Some regions request extra identification, proof of address, or a sworn translation of certain documents. In other provinces, a minimal set of documents is sufficient.
For clients, this can be confusing: what can be arranged in one appointment in Madrid may require additional rounds of paperwork in Alicante or Valencia. The key is therefore local knowledge and preparation.