You don’t have to be in Spain to get your NIE. If you’re still in the UK or US and want the number sorted before you fly out — or before you even book a flight — you have two realistic routes: the Spanish consulate, or a lawyer acting on your behalf.
Option 1: Apply Through a Spanish Consulate
Every Spanish consulate handles NIE applications for residents of its jurisdiction. In the US, that means the consulate covering your state; in the UK, the consulates in London, Edinburgh, or Manchester depending on your region.
The process mirrors the in-Spain version: book an appointment through the consulate’s own booking system (not the Spain-based cita previa portal), bring your completed EX-15 form, passport, proof of the reason you need the NIE, and pay the fee in the local equivalent of the Modelo 790 charge. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks, sometimes longer depending on the consulate’s backlog.
Option 2: Power of Attorney Through a Lawyer
This is the faster and more common route for buyers already working with a Spanish lawyer on a property purchase. You sign a notarized power of attorney (poder notarial) — either at a Spanish consulate in your home country, or at a notary with an apostille and certified translation — authorizing your lawyer to request the NIE for you in Spain.
Your lawyer then books their own appointment (often with better access than an individual applicant) and completes the process without you needing to travel. This typically takes 1–3 weeks once the power of attorney is in place.
| Route | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish consulate (UK/US) | 4–8 weeks | Buyers not yet working with a Spanish lawyer |
| Power of attorney + lawyer | 1–3 weeks | Buyers already engaging a lawyer for the purchase |
| In person in Spain | 1–10+ weeks depending on region | Buyers already planning a trip to Spain |
What the Power of Attorney Needs to Cover
Ask your lawyer to word the power of attorney broadly enough to cover both the NIE application and the property purchase itself, rather than drafting two separate documents. This is standard practice and saves a second round of notarization and apostille costs.
Costs to Expect
- Official NIE fee: €10–16 (Modelo 790)
- Notarizing a power of attorney in the US/UK: roughly $100–300 / £80–250
- Apostille certification: typically $20–50 / £30–75
- Lawyer’s fee for the NIE application itself: often bundled into a property purchase legal fee, or €150–300 standalone
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a consulate NIE the same as one issued in Spain?
Yes, there is no difference — it’s the same number, valid for life, regardless of which office issued it.
Can I apply online without a consulate appointment or a lawyer?
No, there is no purely online self-service application for a first-time NIE — it must go through a consulate, an in-person appointment in Spain, or a representative with power of attorney.
Does my spouse need a separate power of attorney?
Yes, each applicant needs their own power of attorney and their own individual NIE application, even when buying property jointly.