NIE, NIF, CIF numbers
NIE Number. (Numero de Identificación de Extranjeros) and NIF, CIF numbers.
What this number is. It’s a number the Spanish authorities issue to uniquely identify foreigners. It is roughly equivalent to the DNI number each Spanish subject is given for national identification purposes.
Why it is needed. Absolutely anything that will require payments to the Hacienda (Spanish Tax Authorities) or similar identification for Authoritative purposes, will require you to have obtained this number.
How long to get it. Following application, you will normally wait for a week, sometimes even longer.
What it looks like. A typical number would be X-0902015-R and this is the usual format of the number. It is received in the form of an officially stamped, white paper, A4 size document, bearing your name, date of birth and of course your NIE number.
If it gets lost. Once received, you should make several good photocopies and store the original safely. If lost, it is not simply re-issued, you will need to repeat the application procedure.
How it is used. When asked for your NIE number, in most cases, it will be required by means of
(i) Showing the original certificate, and
(ii) Providing a photocopy of the original. This usually happens when an application of some sort is being made. Once the copy has been compared to the original, the copy is accepted and you will be handed back your original.
Typical things for which this number is a prerequisite -
- Working as an employee or self employed.
- Buying a Car
- Telephone Account
- Electricity Account
- Bank Account
- Buying a Property
Documents normally required for your NIE Application
- Passport Original + 1 copy (Original returned)
- The official NIE Solicitud (application form, completed and signed)
You can obtain all the necessary forms and do this yourself, but as an office client you can use our services.
NIF, CIF Numbers
These are Fiscal and Commercial numbers respectively. You can take your NIE certificate to Hacienda and get a creditsized card bearing your NIF number, this of course will simply be the same as your NIE number, but in a convenient size. The CIF number is normally issued to identify commercial entities such as SL and SA (Limited Liability and Public) companies.