Eric S

There have been discussions on here before about whether you need to ever renew your NIE certificate -- which is only valid for three months. Most people have said that they are often asked for the number, but not the certificate.

In my earlier thread about Spanish bureaucracy, I forgot to mention that the tax agency needed my NIE certificate. I had it with me, but it had expired a couple of months before. They didn't seem to notice, though. They took it, made a copy for their records, and returned it to me. So, thankfully, it wasn't a problem.

- Eric S.

marcbernard

I have had my NIE certificate since 1985 (somewhat bent by now!) and there had never been anything about renewal.

tommy.irene

How did you get that information..I have mine 5 years now ????

Eric S

I think the older ones did not expire. But the newer ones do. Mine says at the bottom that it's only valid for three months. I got it in July 2014.

- Eric S.

Fred James

Three months validity seems to be the norm but there are very few occasions when you need to produce one. I'm not sure they actually now have an expiry date on them but if it is older than three months you may be asked for a more up to date one. It depends on who is asking for it.

The NIE number never expires - it's yours for life, just like a UK national insurance number.

Eric S

Mine doesn't have a expiry date on it. It just says at the bottom that is only valid for three months. My point was that a government agency asked for the certificate, but they didn't seem to care -- or notice -- that it was past it's three month validity.

- Eric S.

marcbernard

Just a thought - the certificate of empadronation is only valid for three months, but there is no need to renew; one simply gets another one from the town hall as and when it is required. Is it possible that the alledged "3 month" validity of an NIE is connected with the empadronation? Fred is, as ever, correct in that the NIE is yours for life.

Fred James

No, they are completely separate.

petefromwales

Had mine for 11 years its the padron that needs changing but I am not resident I own the property and stay as long as I can so I cant get a padron!

snikpoh

Please all, I hope yout not confusing the NIE (white A4 sheet) and the certificate of registration (AKA residencia - green A4 sheet or possibly paper card).

Hopefully, for those that are resident, you all have your green 'thing' and use that instead of the NIE certificate.

Countryboy1

Don't know where my white sheet is, not seen it for years. Must have a look around for it. I do know my number and of course it's on many documents.
One question though - without the original registration document, how would I have proof that my NIE number is actually mine and was allocated to me?

olivefarmer

having just jumped through hoops to get a replacement following handbag theft, my recommendation would be to keep the original at home. If you feel the need to carry it with you take a photocopy of it.

snikpoh

... because it'll be on your certificate of registration (residencia) which is valid proof of the number as well.

To loose two documents would be quite unlikely.