Residency permit or NIE number?

Foreigners’ Identity Number (N.I.E.)

Foreigners having an economic, professional or social connection with Spain may apply personally for an N.I.E.

Article 206 of the Regulations of Organic Law 4/2000, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration, approved by Royal Decree 557/2011, of 20 April, sets forth that foreigners having a relation with Spain for economic, professional or social interests shall be provided with a personal, unique and exclusive sequential number, for identification purposes.

Consequently, foreigners having a relation with Spain for economic, professional or social interests may personally apply for an N.I.E. at the Directorate-General of the Police, either directly or through Spain’s Consular Posts abroad.

Applications must be submitted at the Consular Post of the district in which the foreigner resides, either personally or through a duly accredited representative, and the application must be accompanied by a copy of the biographical page of the passport containing the holder’s information (EU citizens can provide a copy of their identity card), and by proof of the economic, professional or social interests justifying the application.

Foreigners wishing to reside in Spain must have prior authorization to do so. Once said authorization has been obtained, it shall be necessary to obtain the corresponding visa allowing entry into Spain.

Residency permit

Residence in Spain can be temporary or permanent. Temporary residence is the situation authorizing a stay in Spain for a period longer than 90 days and shorter than five years. Authorizations may not be renewed.

Initial authorization for temporary residence not involving a work permit shall be granted to foreigners who have sufficient means of subsistence for themselves and, when applicable, for their family members.

Current regulations set forth the procedure and requirements for obtaining an authorization for residence and work in Spain in order to engage in gainful activity, whether self-employed or as an employee.

Long-term residence is the situation authorizing indefinite residence and work in Spain, under the same conditions as Spaniards.

Foreigners who have been temporary residents in Spain for five uninterrupted years and meet the conditions established by regulation shall be entitled to long-term residence. Prior periods of uninterrupted residence in other Member States, as an EU Blue Card holder, shall be counted for the purpose of obtaining long-term residence. Residence shall be considered uninterrupted even if for holidays or other reasons established by regulation the foreigner has left national territory temporarily.

 Applying for a Residencia or NIE

We can prepare all the paperwork for you, and arrange an appointment in Almería with the National Police. Please contact us for more information on this service.