MOVING TO SPAIN: HOW TO GET YOUR “NIE”

If you want to live in Spain for a longer period of time (longer than 3 months), you have to apply for a NIE number, which is an identification number for foreigners. It used to be easy for EU Citizens to get this Número de Identidad de Extranjero, but recently they changed the procedure. One and a half months after my arrival and several visits to the Policía later, I finally got my green little paper which allows me to work, sign contracts, open a bank account and more.

The first time I went to the Policía, I was told before that you “only” needed to wait approx. 3 hours and bring a few documents to get your NIE. Instead, I received a little piece of paper which explained how to get an appointment. Sure, no problem, I thought. When I got home, I found out the website wasn’t only completely in Spanish (thank god for Google Translate), the waiting lines were terrible too. Five weeks until I could get my first NIE appointment, which meant five weeks of not being allowed to work, sign anything, get a bank account, sign up for Bicing etc. Very frustrating. Anyway, here’s what you have to do to make your cita.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR NIE APPOINTMENT:

Go to http://www.seap.minhap.gob.es

Click on EXTRANJERÍA

Click on CITA PREVIA EXTRANJERÍA

“Acceder al Procedimiento”

Click on the Province (Barcelona)

Choose the option: CERTIFICADO UE (this is at least the option if you live in Barcelona)

And click on ACEPTAR and continue instructions.

Then an overwhelming amount of information appears, all in Spanish, plus more under ‘Requisitos’ and ‘Documentación eligible’. I honestly don’t understand why this hasn’t been translated in English yet, since it is only meant for foreigners. In short, it depends on how long you want to stay in Barcelona and for what reason. If you have a job contract or if you are a student, it won’t be very difficult to get your NIE. If you are still looking for a job, however, it is a bit more complicated. You have to bring quite some documents to convince them you are able to take care of yourself in Spain.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS YOU NEED:

• Your passport / ID card + two copies of them.
• Proof of health insurance + what your insurance exactly covers.
• Confirmation of the appointment, printed. This is the e-mail called “confirmación de cita” you receive after you made your NIE appointment.
• If you have a job: your job contract (but usually your company will help you with the NIE registration). If you don’t have a job yet, you have to prove that you have enough $$$ to support yourself. You need a bank statement to prove this (the original document + an official translation).
• Form EX-18. This has to be filled in (typed) and printed. The website however says you have to bring EX-15, so just to be sure, you can bring both. Here you can find these documents.

IMPORTANT: ALL DOCUMENTS NEED TO BE IN SPANISH.

If your proof of health insurance or bank statement is in English or in any other language, you need an OFFICIAL translation in Spanish. Bring both the original document and the official translation. I tried to bring my bank statement in English (I mean, it says the amount in euros, no need for a translation I thought), but they are dead serious about this.

Click here for a list of translators in Barcelona.

You can send an e-mail around asking for prices. For my bank statement, one asked for 75 euros (taxes not even included) and another one 25 euros, everything included. Quite a difference, so don’t accept the first offer and ask if taxes are included.

Other things you need to bring:

• Cash to pay the taxes at the bank (in November 2013 this was €10,40). 
• A lot of patience or a book to kill time.

So, you’ve got your appointment, all your documents and translations. Time to go to the Policía, located at Rambla de Guipúscoa 74.

The first round, you show them all your documents. Once approved, you get a form called Modelo 790. With this document, go to Carrer Selva de Mar (straight across the street from the police station) and go to the bank called Caixa Catalunya. There are other banks in this street, but I have been told this is the only bank where you can pay without having to pay any extra fees. You pay, go back to the Policía, wait another 30-50 minutes and BAM: you’ve got your magical green little paper!

Finally I can sign up for Bicing!

Looking back on the massive amount of instructions above, I’m glad this is over. I used to think it was easy to move to another country in the EU, it never really crossed my mind there were any restrictions. Again, like finding an apartment in Barcelona, it is a lot of work but not impossible, even if you don’t speak Spanish. Still quite strange they don’t speak any English at the Foreigner’s Office if you ask me… but I shouldn’t forget we’re still in Spain!

¡Buena suerte!

Source top image: http://studentsforliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bureaucrat_2.jpeg