Hi all,

We are going to the Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh tomorrow to lodge our paperwork for our NIEs. We're about to buy a house so do we tell them the reason we want the NIE is for economic reasons, e.g. so we can set up a bank account and buy a house, or for Social reasons, e.g. buying a holiday property in order to have a warmer social life? What do you think?

I would probably put 'social reasons' but it doesn't really matter.

I would opt for economic reasons as it is impossible to do any major transaction without an NIE. Maybe even mention that is so that you can purchase property.

Of course, they probably won't read your answer anyway!

Why do you need to state a reason? When I applied for my NIE nobody was interested why I wanted it.

Because the is a section on the form when you have to select one of three options, social, economic or professional and also state specifically why you want an NIE.

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajad...y_certificados[1].pdf

Thanks to one and all. We were in and out of the Consulate in about 20 mins, most of which was waiting time. Our form was completed correctly apparently, thanks to your advice (I chose the economic reason in the end) and is now in the hands of Spanish beaurocracy. Nothing more for it than to sit back and wait, with one eye on the fluctuations in the euro so I can press the button on our transfer of funds.

I hope the rest of the buying transactions progress as easily and you enjoy your home in spain.