A Guide to obtaining an NIE or CIF number in Tenerife
NIE, CIF numbers
NIE Number. (Numero Identificacion Extranjeros) and
CIF numbers.
NIE - roughly translated means Number Identification
of Foreigner. The Spanish authorities issue these numbers
to identify foreigners.
You will need an NIE number for anything that requires
payment to the Hacienda (Spanish Tax Authorities) or main
Authoritative bodies.
You can apply for the number at the local Police Station
upon submission of a completed application form. You can
download and NIE Application Form here. Complete the form
and take a photocopy of it together with your passpost and
a photocopy of your passport to the Police Station. Your
number will normally be ready in approximately 3-4 weeks.
When you receive your NIE number it will look similar
to X-1234567-R and this is the usual format of the number.
In simple terms it is an officially stamped A4 document
with your name, date of birth and your NIE number.
Once you have collected it from the Police Station, you
should make several good photocopies and keep the original
somewhere safe as if you lose it you will need to repeat
the entire process again - there are no re-issues. It is
not now necessary to take 2 passport sized photographs.
You will need to produce your NIE number whenever you buy
something or try to set up an account of some sort. Normally
you will be asked to show the original with a good photocopy
of which is retained and your original is then returned.
Typical things that you will need to produce an NIE
for -
Work whether as an employee or self employed.
When setting up a Telephone Account
When setting up an Electricity Account
To open a Bank Account
To buy a Car
When buying a Property
Click
Here to download the Application Form
HOW TO FILL IN THE N.I.E. APPLICATION FORM
1 DATOS PERSONALES means PERSONAL DETAILS
1er Apellido: Surname
2º Apellido : (second Surname) Write three chiffons
instead (---)
Nombre : Christian Name (make sure to use same as in passport)
Fecha de Nacimiento: Date of birth (use two digits for day
and month)
Lugar de nacimiento: Place of birth
Sexo : Gender “H” for Male (Hombre) and “M”
Female (Mujer) . X cross the one applicable
Estado Civil: Status. S for single C for married. V for
widow and D for divorced
País de nacimiento: Country of Birth
País de nacionalidad: Current Nationality
Nombre del padre: Father´s name
Nombre de la madre: Mother´s name
Domicilio en España: Address in Spain (if you have
one, otherwise leave blank) - Localidad: Town, CP: Postcode,
Provincia: Province
SECTION 2
Reasons for application:
Economic, Professional or Social (Tick professional for
work reasons or social for house purchase)
3) DOMICILIO A EFECTOS DE NOTIFICACIONES
Leave blank
Sign the form at the bottom, under 'firma de solicitante'.
Complete the form and take it back to the National Police
station, along with a photocopy. You also need to provide
your original passport and a photocopy. That's it ! You
will then be told to return in approx. 4 weeks time when
your number will be ready to collect. You need this number
to do anything fiscal in Spain such as open a bank account
[this can also be done with your passport number].
For a small 40 euros fee we can arrange your NIE application
for you.
CIF Numbers
The CIF number is normally issued to identify commercial
entities such as an SL and SA (Limited Liability and Public)
companies.
