Registration must be completed within your first 3 months in Spain. Nevertheless we recommend completing the registration as soon as you have decided to stay and work in Spain. Why? Because even if you are an EU/EEA citizen and you don’t need a visa or work permit, you need a NIE number . A complete list of Foreigner offices is available on the Ministerio del Interior website. http://www.mir.es/
 

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjeros = Identification Number for Foreigners) is required whenever you carry out any financial, social or professional activities in Spain – which means basically almost everything you will be doing if settling down here. It’s similar to the Spanish NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal = Tax Identification Number) which serves as a fiscal identification number. Opening a bank account, paying taxes, signing an internet contract or using social services is impossible without NIE.

The NIE Number is issued on a card, with the recipients full name (as written on the passport used during the application process),  place of birth, nationality, and the number itself, along with a stamp and signature provided by the National Police.  

The easiest way is to hit two birds with one stone and apply for registration at Foreigner’s office. You will be issued a NIE number automatically. How to do it:

1. Visit Foreigner’s Office
The best place to go in Barcelona is the office on Calle Balmes 192 (nearest metro Diagonal). Opening hours are from 9am – 14:00 pm (Monday – Friday) but it’s highly recommended to arrive before 9am in order to avoid hours of waiting. You will probably still have to wait quite a few hours in total but it´s the only way it can be done! (I would recommend bringing a book or some music to listen to as it can be quite tedious)

2. Bring the necessary documents with you
-EX18 application form duly completed and signed (although you can pick one up when you get there if you haven´t managed to print it – you will have plenty of time to fill it in while you´re waiting your turn)
-Your passport + 2 photocopies of it (+ for non-EU/EEA citizens: proof of legal entry into Spain).

3. Register then pay the fee
First you need to queue to register yourself and hand over your documents. Go in, press button A  to get a number and wait your turn. If your application is accepted, you will be given back your EX18 and a payment form. You have to keep the EX18 for later and need to fill in the payment form with your name and address then pay a fee of approximately 10 € to a bank. Keep in mind that not all banks are able to receive this payment. Ask the officer where to go. There are quite a few just across the road (Barclays accept it for example). Go there as soon as you can because you will have to queue again for the next step.

4. Get your NIE
Once you have paid the fee and got the proof of payment, head back to the Foreigner’s Office. Go in, press button B and wait your turn again. Present it to the officer who will give you your residence card (Certificado de Residencia) which contains the NIE number. Both are valid immediately.


(WORD OF WARNING: This information only applies in Barcelona. Registrations rules might vary significantly between cities. If you are reading this and intend to complete registration elsewhere, always check the local manners in advance.)