Dee&Geoff

Iknow this has probably been done to death, but we always planned on a full time move fromUK to France so understand their house buying process. Spain has really caught our eye so we plan on making it a full time move. We have just put our property for sale and have found one we really like the look of but would need a mortgage I see I need an NIE to buy property and on googling it get lots of companies that promise to get you one, but one thing that confuses me is you need a Spanish address to get one, but can't buy a house without one, am I missing somthing and is it worth using one of these companies to help with the NIE

Loafing Along

Not sure what companies you are refering to but applying for a NIE on your behalf is a pretty standard activity for a "Gestoria " , a normal administrative office found everywhere to help you with bureaucratic processes, very much a Spanish activity.. They also carry out a whole range of other similar activities.
You can apply for one through the Spanish Consulate in London or as I assume you will be using a Spanish lawyer to process the purchase of your property in Spain they will be able to do it for you with an appropriate power of attorney. In fact a lawyer will have a working relationship with a Gestoria to "Do the dull stuff".
A NIE is really just a tax number that you need for dealing with all administrative and fiscal issues. It does not give any residencial rights.

Dee&Geoff

Thanks Loafing Along for your informative post, so I could sort the NIE when sorting all the legals for the house purchase then?, was just trying to get our ducks in a row to make life easy but if it can all be sorted spot on. I work offshore so cheaper to fly from Spain than the UK so fingers crossed my employer will give us the green light as we have made up our minds Spain is for us so need to sort it before the end of the year

tebo53

Hi,
I used an internet company to get an NIE number some years ago when I had an inheritance due from my mother who lived in Spain and I in the UK. I had to pay a UK notary to get all the paperwork in order and send to to the internet company who indeed did the job of getting my NIE number within 2 weeks. Can't remember the cost as it was about 10 years ago.

Steve

Dee&Geoff

Thanks for your valuable input Steve

snikpoh

The simplest method for getting an NIE is to go to either the London or the Edinburgh consulate .

You can use any address anywhere in the world.

Dee&Geoff

Thanks Snikpoh, I must have read it wrong or received duff info as I was lead to believe you jad to have a Spanish address, suppose Edinburgh is our closest will look into it thanks again Denise and Geoff

EU.flag

Foreigners' Identity Number (N.I.E.)

Dee&Geoff

Thanks EU Flag, a great link to what we need to know

Gail01

Hi everyone
I to have been looking into getting a NIE number. Am I right in thinking that it would be better to wait until I purchase a property in Spain otherwise would I not have to update the address after moving . It's so confusing . 🤔

Barriej

You don't need a Spanish address to get an NIE.

But you will need one BEFORE you buy a property but you can do this with a Gestor or the solicitor who will deal with the house purchase.

You have to visit a notary to get the NIE or give someone POA.

tebo53

Your NIE does not have addresses associated with it. You can apply for an NIE number whilst living in the UK through a Spanish embassy.

Steve

Gail01

Thanks for your response. Just to be a bit clearer would the address be updated depending on where you are living ?

tebo53

Gail,
Please understand that your NIE number does not have any addresses associated with it it's the same as your English national insurance number which follows you throughout your life. Perhaps you are confusing the NIE number with a residency certificate which needs a current Spanish address and updating if you move house.

Steve

Gail01

Thanks everyone 😁