Moving to Barcelona to study and hearing about the NIE everywhere without knowing where to start? Here’s everything you need so you don’t waste time.
What is the NIE, and why you need it
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your identification number in Spain. As a student, you’ll be asked for it to open a bank account, sign a lease, get a SIM card, or prove your presence in the country. There’s no getting around it.
Documents to prepare
Before booking your appointment, gather this file:
- The EX-18 form, filled in and signed (NIE application)
- Your original passport
- A copy of your passport
- Your matricula (the university enrollment document, in Spanish, downloadable from your student intranet)
- Proof that you’ve paid your tuition fees, in Spanish (a bank transfer confirmation works)
- Your European Health Insurance Card, in physical format (no digital version accepted) and valid for more than 6 months from the appointment date, + a copy
- The tax payment receipt (Modelo 790012 form, around €12)
The steps, in order
- Book your appointment (cita previa). The appointment is booked online on the Spanish administration’s website, with the Policía Nacional or the Oficina de Extranjeros in Barcelona. Expect several weeks of waiting time depending on the season, so plan ahead as soon as you arrive.
- Prepare your file. Gather all the documents listed above, and make sure to pay the tax (Modelo 790012) before your appointment at Banco Sabadell, Rambla Catalunya 83. Keep the stamped receipt safe — it’s a required document.
- Appointment day. Show up with your complete file: your NIE is issued the same day. An incomplete file means booking a new appointment, so double-check everything beforehand.
- Share your NIE. Once you have it, pass it on to your university, landlord, bank, or anywhere else that requires it.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the start of the school year to book: appointment slots fill up fast in Barcelona, especially in September.
- Submitting proof of tuition payment that isn’t in Spanish.
- Forgetting the copies: both originals AND copies are required for most documents.
- Presenting a digital European Health Insurance Card, or one valid for less than 6 months: it will be rejected.
Prefer to have us handle it for you?
Between classes, housing, and settling in, Spanish paperwork can quickly become a headache. At Bonjour Barcelona, we support you every step of the way to get your NIE: booking the appointment, checking your file, and being there with you on the day. Book a call with us to discuss it.