How about applying for the NIE alone as this is required to buy a property? Will I get it the same day? Residencia can wait as this is not required to buy a property.

I don`t know when I got mine years ago it took about a month to come through, but different areas seem to be different times to wait, in some of the threads on here some have got them immediatly.

Unfortunately you cannot download it like the application forms.

You can only get it at the same place you are applying to. They will give you the tax form when you finally get to the person dealing with you. In some offices they give you the form and when you return from the bank having paid it, they allow you to jump the queue - in other offices they make you wait again.

are you actually going to be living here?

In Alicante you can get in the same day. To purchase a property you only need an NIE number. Your best bet is just to turn up early at the Police Station. The law here can change from day to day!! Just make sure you have completed the Form, take your passport and passport photographs.

Thanks Sue. That's exactly I'm going to try. It seems that a lot of things are so complicated in Spain but I'm not going to be put off by these.

lynnxa, yes I'm immigrating to Spain to retire as I'm sick of the cold climate in UK & Canada.

if you're going back to the UK at first, just do the NIE now & sort out the residency after you have actually moved