Foreigner identification number

NIE Number in Madrid

Signing a flat in Chamberí, accepting a job offer in the city or buying a home in the Community of Madrid: sooner or later someone will ask for your NIE. We work out the right way to request it, prepare the paperwork and secure the police appointment in Madrid for you.

PriceFrom 90 € + VAT

Typical timeframeMostly the wait for a Madrid appointment

ServiceOnline, Madrid city and Community

WhatsApp us Call +34 673 374 567 Send an enquiry

Gran Vía seen from above, with the Carrión building and traffic heading towards Plaza de Callao in Madrid

What it is

The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is a personal number the Spanish police assign to foreigners who have financial, professional or social dealings in Spain. It never changes: the number you are given in Madrid today will be the same one printed on any residence card you hold later.

In Madrid, NIE certificates are issued by the National Police, at the Brigada Provincial de Extranjería y Fronteras on Avenida de los Poblados (Aluche) and at police stations with a foreigners’ documentation unit across the Community. Appointments are booked through the government’s online cita previa system, choosing the province of Madrid. Holding a NIE does not give you the right to live or work here. If you are an EU citizen staying longer than three months, you probably want the EU registration certificate; if you already have a visa, go straight to the TIE card.

Who needs it

Buyers and sellers of property in Madrid, resident or not.
People starting a job in Madrid whose employer needs the number for the contract.
Anyone inheriting assets, investing or becoming a company director in Spain.
New arrivals who need the number for a bank, a car or a utility contract.
People unsure whether their case calls for a NIE, a TIE or the EU certificate.

Documents you will usually need

Your passport (or EU national ID card), plus a photocopy.
Form EX-15, filled in and signed.
The receipt for the official fee, paid with form 790 code 012.
A document explaining why you need a NIE: a reservation contract for a property, a job offer, a notary's letter, inheritance papers or similar.
The appointment confirmation for the Madrid police office.

Police offices can be strict about the reason you give. We check that your supporting document actually states it before you go.

How we do it

First call. You explain what the number is for and whether you are already in Madrid. We tell you if it makes more sense to apply here or at a Spanish consulate abroad.
Paperwork. We fill in the EX-15 and the fee form and review your supporting document.
Madrid appointment. We keep checking the cita previa system for the province of Madrid and book the first suitable slot.
Your visit. You go to the police office with a complete, ordered file and a short briefing from us.
After the certificate. We review the certificate and tell you what comes next: bank, notary, employer or Tax Agency.

How long it takes

The appointment is what takes time. Availability in Madrid changes from one day to the next, and slots in the city centre tend to go first; police stations elsewhere in the Community sometimes have earlier dates. Once you attend, the certificate is usually issued on the spot or within a few days. We give you an honest estimate before you hire us.

Price

From 90 € + VAT for the NIE certificate. The official fee is separate. If you also need the padrón or a Social Security number in Madrid, we put it all in one quote.

Questions we often get

Where do I go for my NIE in Madrid?

To the National Police: the foreigners' unit on Avenida de los Poblados in Aluche or another police station in the Community that handles foreigners' documents. The office depends on the appointment you get, and we tell you exactly where it is.

Can I apply from abroad before moving to Madrid?

In many cases yes, at the Spanish consulate where you live. Each consulate sets its own waiting times and document list, so we check it with you first.

Is a NIE enough to live or work in Madrid?

No. The NIE only identifies you. Your right to live or work depends on your nationality and, if you are not an EU citizen, on having the correct visa or authorisation.

I lost my NIE certificate. Do I get a new number?

No, your number stays the same. You can request a new certificate, and we can arrange the appointment for you.

More services in Madrid

TIE cardFingerprints at a Madrid police station, the fee and collection of your card, all booked for you.From 200 € + VAT EU registration certificateRegistering as a resident in Madrid if you hold an EU, EEA or Swiss passport.From 200 € + VAT Padrón registrationSigning on the Madrid municipal register at your new address, and getting the certificate.From 60 € + VAT Social Security numberYour NUSS for your first job in Madrid, for going self-employed and for public healthcare.From 60 € + VAT Digital nomad visaSettling in Madrid while you keep working remotely for employers or clients abroad.From 450 € + VAT Non-lucrative visaRetiring to Madrid or living on savings and passive income, without working locally.From 300 € + VAT Autónomo registrationStarting out as a freelancer in Madrid: Tax Agency and Social Security registration.From 90 € + VAT Brexit TIEThe Withdrawal Agreement card for British nationals living in the Community of Madrid.Ask for a quote Residence renewalsRenewing your Madrid residence before it lapses, including the new card appointment.From 300 € + VAT

Get in touch

Moving to Madrid? Tell us what you need

Write to us with your nationality, your current situation and where in the Community of Madrid you will be living. On working days we usually answer within one business day, with the route that fits and a fixed quote.

WhatsApp+34 673 374 567
Phone+34 673 374 567
Emailcontact@expatinmadrid.com
WhereOnline service: we handle your Madrid paperwork remotely and book your appointments