NIE number from the United States: how to apply at the consulate
The NIE is the Foreigner Identification Number, and any foreigner who has to identify themselves in Spain needs one: buying a house, opening an account, inheriting, setting up a company or collecting dividends.
You can apply in Spain or, if you live abroad, at the consular office where you reside. It is a short procedure with two traps.
Trap one: you must justify what it is for
Form EX-15 asks for the economic, professional or social reasons behind the application. «I need one» is not enough: say what for, and bring something that backs it up —a deposit contract, a letter from the notary, inheritance paperwork—.
Trap two: somebody has to show up
The application is made in person or through a duly accredited representative, but one of the two must physically attend. It is not processed by mail.
You need an appointment, one per application. Only the person doing the procedure gets into the consulate.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form | EX-15 |
| Attendance | mandatory, in person or by representative |
| Appointment | one per application |
What to bring
Form EX-15, original and one copy, ideally completed online then printed and signed; your valid passport plus a copy of the data page; and, if a representative attends, their ID and the document proving their authority.
NIE, NIF and DNI are not the same
The DNI is for Spaniards and is only issued in Spain. The NIF is the tax number: Spaniards without a DNI can get one at the consulate, and so can companies. The NIE is for foreigners.
An American buying a house in Spain needs an NIE. A Spaniard living in the US without a DNI who has a tax matter needs a NIF. Mixing them up costs you an appointment.
When the visa already includes it
The teleworking visa requires you to apply for the NIE at the same time as the visa. In that case it is not a separate step: it travels in the same file and there is no second appointment.
The telework visa includes the NIE: there is no second appointment to book.Details verified on 8 September 2026.
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The information comes from official sources that sometimes disagree with one another, and is reviewed regularly. Confirm before you travel.