HI. I guess this question has been asked before, but having searched the forum I cannot find a definite answer. My wife and I obtained our NIE numbers in January this year with a view to buying a property but for various reasons our proposed purchase didn't happen. We have now found another house but our NIE certificates needs renewing as they have expired after the 3 months. We are currently in Spain getting things sorted for our purchase and wondered what we need to do in order to renew our certificates. What paperwork do we need to take with us to the Police station etc, etc. We do not need residency as we are not currently living full time in Spain and wont be until next year. Thanks in advance.

Just the same as before but take your old certificate as well.

I got my NIE number and certificate some years ago (not residentia which I also have) but didn't know I needed to renew my NIE. I still regularly use my original NIE number so what is the reason for renewal and what does it achieve?

Thanks for your prompt replies. I guess we have an early start down at the Police station!!

The NIE itself does not need renewal, it's just an identity number that you have for life. But the certificate does expire and would need to be renewed if someone requires an up-to-date certificate.
I have been using my old certificate without any problems for years, although I expect that one day an officious jobsworth will demand a current cert and I'll need to get a new one, but I'll be beggered if I am going to renew every 3 months.

You don't NEED to renew, the NIE is for life, but for some purposes they like to see a recent certificate. The number stays the same, it's just the date on the certificate.

To all. If you got your NIE some years ago, then it may NOT have an expiry date on it.

It's only recently (in the last couple of years) that the authorities have started issuing 'temporary' NIE certificates.


If you have the green sheet/card, then you do NOT need to renew your NIE certificate as the green one will suffice.

I have both a white one circa 2005 and a green one circa 2009 same number on both. Neither have dates but I do intend to renew the green one sometime to get the indefinite stay after five years type of green card just in case UK votes to leave the EU in 2017. Oh and I might take Irish citizenship as well belt and braces so t speak.

I have used my expired NIE certificate a few times without problem.

- Eric S.

If you have residencia then you dont need to renew as it is on your paper or card.

Correct. You have the right to stay whether it says that it is permanent or not.

However, some people will like the fact that their green paper/card says that it is permanent (even if it makes no difference).