No real estate purchase without a NIE

NIE is the catchy abbreviation for NIE number, the Spanish Número de Identidad de Extranjero. As a foreigner's identity number, it serves many purposes in Spain.

Among other things, the NIE number is a tax number for foreigners in Spain. While for German citizens here in Germany the identification number of the Federal Central Tax Office and the tax number of the local tax office are different, i.e. two different things, in Spain the NIE number is both the foreigner identity number and the Spanish tax number.

Holidaymakers in Spain should have it with their documents, while the NIE is essential for a longer or permanent stay on the Spanish mainland or on one of the Spanish islands such as Mallorca.

How do I get my NIE number