If you have made any enquiries at all about moving to Spain or buying property here, you will almost certainly have heard about Nif and Nie numbers. Used by many estate agents and UK property sales companies as the very reason you could not possibly manage without their help they are in fact simply numbers which identify you. If you move to Spain or buy property here you will require one of these and a description of what they are follows:
NIE (Número de Identidad/Identificación de Extranjero): This number is issued to all foreigners once they obtain residency and will appear on their Residency Card. This is their identification number in Spain and is required in order to file taxes, establish a business, open a bank account (not necessary for foreign accounts), and for almost any other form you will have to fill out. Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens get issued an NIE. You can print out a copy of this form by
clicking here. If you take or send this form to the Spanish Embassy in your own country you can obtain your NIE before you depart for Spain. Simply click on the link and then print out the form.
DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad): This is the ID number for Spanish citizens. The same number is used for the Spanish driver’s license.
NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal): This is the tax ID number for all individuals. For Spaniards, it’s the DNI plus one letter; for foreigners, it’s the same number as your NIE. Once you have an NIE, you do not need to re-apply for an NIF; if and when you have to pay taxes, use your NIE number. If you’re a nonresident who has to pay taxes in Spain, you may get an NIF issued to you without having an NIE. This, of course, does not mean you get automatic residency in Spain, nor will it make it any easier to get residency.
CIF (Certificado de Identificación Fiscal): This is the the same as the NIF, but for companies.
Social Security Number: If you intend to work in Spain, your employer will apply for your social security number when you start your first job. This number will stay with you for all subsequent jobs. If you are intending to be self-employed, you apply for this number yourself.
Once you know what the procedure is obtaining your NIF number is little more than queuing. If you are an SPC client we'll have someone take you to the appropriate office and translate for you.
It will prove a great time saver if you have a few sets of passport photos available when you arrive in Spain. Most, forms require two or three photographs. Three sets should be more than adequate for average requirements.