NIE Number Guide - Why You Need It.

One of the annoying things about buying a property in Valencia and Spain is getting a NIE number. It used to be that you could buy a property simply with a passport number but now you need a NIE number, a Spanish tax number. A temporary one will suffice but you also need to have applied for the definitive one to get this so a bit of Catch 22 there.

The system in Valencia is terrible as it takes up to 40 days to get a NIE number and the system is labyrinthine. In Barcelona for example I am informed it takes 10 minutes and is given there and then so go figure. (I don't believe this by the way)

Anyway for the best advice Steve McGill has written the definitive guide to getting your NIE number and sells it for a ridiculously cheap price here. For all your NIE number questions, and you need it for buying a car, signing all official paperwork and a multitude of other sins in Spain this advice is essential. As the NIE number is absolutely essential if you are thinking of coming over to Spain and haven't yet got one this guide tells you exactly how to get one quickly before you come to Spain so you don't need to worry about doing it here. The reason is simple. If you come here and apply for one you need to present a reason for wanting a NIE, potential rental contract, deposit on house or contract to buy a car. None of these you will have until you get a NIE because you will not want to wait around 40 days to actually get your car or move into your rental or purchased house.

Best advice therefore is to buy the guide here and then read it well and put it into practice. It even has a two month money back guarantee if you find the information not to be totally useful.

Just in case you didn't know here are just a few of the things you need the NIE number in Spain for.

- setting up a business in Spain
- obtaining a mortgage
- applying for a credit card/loan
- applying for a Spanish driving license
- inheriting any assets that are in Spain
- your children studying in Spain
- etc...