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Nie

15K views 85 replies 13 participants last post by  snikpoh 
#1 ·
Hi, I've heard through the grapevine that there is a new NIE info, something to do with every 3 months! Having to re register, does this apply if one has already got NIE ? also I thought residencia NIE wasn't needed anymore , as long as one has a valid EU passport!!
 
#2 ·
Someone should write a booklet entitled 'Things You Hear on The Grapevine in Spain'.....:)

The only firm answer I can give is that yes, one requires a NIE/Residencia as well as a passport in order to be able to do many things in Spain. One should also register on the padron.

I can only imagine the chaos and confusion if it were the case that NIEs have to be renewed every three months.

The only worthwhile thing that comes from grapevines is.....wine.
 
#3 · (Edited)
#5 ·
yes - if you need a certificado de empadronamiento for proof of address or whatever they do usually ask for one less than 3 months old - & you only have to renew if you move - although our local ayuntamiento has been chasing up people to 'renew' after 5 years - I guess just to be sure they are still there - I've heard of other areas doing the same, too


there is some confusion though - the OP isn't the first to think they need to renew their NIE/resident cert. after 90 days :confused2:
 
#6 ·
I hesitate to take issue with someone called 'Senior Expat' - but I have just received my NIE and it clearly states on the bottom of the letter that it is only valid for 3 months. As I understand it I have to get another in 3 months time.
It is all very confusing out here! Still not sure if I am legally allowed to drive my UK registered car for 3 months or for 6. Anybody know?
 
#7 ·
your NIE number is for life though ........ - it's a fiscal ID number like your NI number in the UK

we've all had the same numbers since we got ours 8 years ago

I've just checked my green NIE/resident cert. - nowhere does it say that it's only valid for 3 months
 
#10 ·
We had to make an appointment with the Policia Nacional in Estepona and then fill in some forms - pay 16 euros (I think) and then return the following day to collect our NIE. This amounted to a letter (headed paper 'Ministerio del Interio') and entitled Comisaria de Estepona Extranjeros. There is then a paragraph of what appears to be Spanish legalese and then my name, d of b, nationality and my NIE number. The ketter concludes with the line 'Caduca a los tres meses'.....which I take to mean only valid for 3 months. I think I will probably retain the same number when I renew it - but, as I understand it, I have to return to renew. Seems like a good way to ensure a regular income stream!
Any ideas on the 3 month/6 month debate for registering cars?
Cheers!
 
#13 ·
Sorry to have not answered the question.....no - my NIE letter does not look like the one Pesky Wesky posted. I think Xabiachica may have hit on the answer: I think it is a 'non-resident NIE cert'. To be honest - I think that is what I asked for - we are only intending to stay for a year or so to see if we like it before comitting ourselves. I thought there was only one NIE - for non residents. I thouht those intending to stay long term had to apply for a residencia. Have I screwed up?
 
#14 · (Edited)
Sorry to have not answered the question.....no - my NIE letter does not look like the one Pesky Wesky posted. I think Xabiachica may have hit on the answer: I think it is a 'non-resident NIE cert'. To be honest - I think that is what I asked for - we are only intending to stay for a year or so to see if we like it before comitting ourselves. I thought there was only one NIE - for non residents. I thouht those intending to stay long term had to apply for a residencia. Have I screwed up?
you could put it that way.............

you don't have to 'apply for residencia' at all - if you plan to live here more than 90 days you are 'resident' & have to register as such

then you get the green 'resident cert' & your NIE number will be on it - & that doesn't expire :)


last summer that was costing a bit over 10€ iirc

the car thing........... if you're resident you can't drive a UK plated car legally - I think the confusion lies in that you have 90 days from registering as resident to re-plate your car - you don't have to register as resident until you have been here 90 days

I think I could be onto something here?
 
#18 ·
Quite right - not a disaster at all - just a little embarrassing not to have been able to work it all out in advance. From what you and Xabichica have said I presume that when I return to the Police stn after 3 months to renew, I will actually be asked/expected to take out a resident NIE (as opposed to the non-resident NIE that I have now) - It will have the same number. Thanks for all your advice.
 
#20 ·
I must admit we heard something like this, not through the gravevine, on the news on the radio within the last week. They said NIE's had to be renewed every three months and in person. They specifically said those who used a solicitor via power of attorney would no longer be able to do this, they must go in person. We got our NIE along with residency the same as the certificate shown on this thread, no expiry date, so maybe it is NIE holders only who need to do this renewal?
As previously quoted, just a new little income stream from the 'rich' foreighners.
When we lived in Florida we had to renew our driving licence every year. The cost increased from $25 to $48 in one leap. As the guy in the licencing office said "Just another tax for the foreigners" also a way of proving they were there legally, having to show visas etc.
 
#21 ·
I think the clue is in the word renewed. If you have a "full" resident NIE you don't renew because is doesn't expire.
What do you mean by
so maybe it is NIE holders only who need to do this renewal
I am an NIE holder with a permanent residents NIE and so is PND who appears to have a non resident NIE
 
#26 ·
When we first came here, we had a solicitor get our NIE's for us so that he could purchase the house on our behalf with power-of-attorney.

Clearly we were not resident when he got these NIE's.

I have just taken a look at them and they do NOT state resident or non-resident - what's the difference?
 
#28 ·
I think it may have changed when the 'residency' thing changed - or at least started to change then

whe we first came here we didn't have to get 'residencia' - we weren't working or retired here & at that time it wasn't a requirement under those circumstances

but as we know it all changed a few years ago & now we all have to register - maybe that's why they now do 2 different certs - & I guess in a way it makes sense that a non-resident cert will have a shelf life
 
#27 ·
In my certificate, in the sub heading Certifica, it says

Certifica:....como residente comunitario con carácter permanente en España desde...

So it states that I am a permanent resident in Spain and have been since...

Does your certificate state that?
 
#38 ·
Hi, bit confused as I thought if you had a green certificate with a NIE number, and Padrona in a town in Spain, this meant you were a permanente residente.
My certificate clearly states permanent but my partners states temporarily resident, he has NIE number, and is padronado in same address as me! he has been in Spain for 4 years now.
 
#42 ·
Well, she's wrong!

After 90 days here you MUST sign on the list of foreigners.


Maybe she's getting confused with the old residencia (card) and the new green sheet (which is NOT a residencia).

Could she also be confusing resident (living here) and resident (for tax purposes)?
 
#45 ·
it just confirms that you are 'registered as a resident' as is your right as an EU citizen

previously, we had to 'apply' to become residents, which involved proving income & all sorts, just like a non-EU citizen - although we actually had the right to live here

in 2006/7 (can't remember exactly when) it was changed & simplified - now we don't 'apply for residencia' as a non-EU citizen has to - we simply 'register as residents'

we do HAVE TO though
 
#54 · (Edited)
Yes!

To answer your question I would say YES! if the certificate contains the words that I posted before

...sólo prueba la inscripción en Registro Central de Extranjeros...

But I think we need a definitive all time sorting out of the terminology and wording and whatsits, and I would nominate either xabiachica or Stravinsky to do that.
I think people are getting really confused between empadronamiento and empadronarse which is local council and registrarse or inscribirse en el registro central de extranjeros. Between what used to happen and what happens now and between what is residency, what you have to apply for and what you are given etc etcAnd what's all this about a temporary NIE. I've never heard of that and don't know why it exists nor why you would want it???
This should be the last year for 2 systems to be place though as the old cards needed to be renewed every 5 years, so if they started issuing certificates in 2007 2012 should be the last year for renewing cards.
 
#70 ·
OK so what have we got then?

We applied for ours through the Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh just before Christmas 2011. Received this and one for OH a month later, can't see an expiry date.

We told a little fib at the Consulate as we claimed we needed NIEs in order to purchase a property. We may purchase at some time in the future but didn't need them then for that purpose.
 

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#71 ·
You've got a ticket for two to Tierra Mítica theme park!!

No, just joking :)

You've got a piece of paper saying that you've been assigned an NIE, but it doesn't say anything about being inscribed on a foreign residents list which is what mine says because I am resident.
 
#76 ·
Just trawling through threads on NIE ... I know this is a few years old but ...

My NIE certificate doesn´t state a three month validity. The NIE is for life and doesn´t need renewing even if one moves to another city in Spain. All that needs updating is the empadronamiento and, of course, the health card (here in Barcelona CatSalut) so when you go and register with a medical centre.

Also, the social security number is for life.

By the way, they are now handing out credit card sized NIE´s again. They´re not as tough as a bank/credit card but the same size. I went to get mine changed and the grim reaper at the desk said, "NO!" Once you get the certificate, that´s it, tough luck (she didn´t say that but that´s what she meant). So, I am going to beat her at her own game. I´m gonna say I lost my certificate to see if they will reissue the card sized one (bet they don´t, or they will, with a charge!)
 
#77 ·
Hhhmmm, I actually did lose my certificate and I needed a new one. It wasnt easy as you can imagine, I had to report it lost to the police and get an incident number before they would "entertain" even starting the process :faint:. then in true funcionario fashion, i had to photocopy the photocopies, produce paperwork I didnt have, go to the bank, pay, go back........................

Oficially an NIE number WITHOUT a recidencia is only valid for 3 months according to those funcionaros in the Malaga region!!?? Altho should you need to renew it, the number stays the same, you just have to pay :confused: Things are changing tho with this new ruling thats just come in???!!!! http://www.expatforum.com/expats/sp...uirements-uk-citizens-spain-april-2012-a.html

Jo xxx
 
#78 ·
Hi,

I am an English teacher and have lived in Spain for about 6 months. I think I'm in the position that I need to renew my NIE.

BUT, I don't have an empadron-thing. I have a NIE, social security and bank a/c, but I rent a room in an apartment, and the owner wants to avoid paying tax.

So, first of all how important is it to renews the NIE? What will happen if I don't? I am scared that if I get a new job it will cause problems in getting paid? But isn't that only the social secrity number?

Aaaah, my head hurts! Please advise.
 
#79 ·
Hi, what did you get when you got your NIE? Does it have an expiry date on it?

I presume you mean you pay rent in cash? I don't see why this means you can't get the padron - or do you not have a contract for your flat?

Someone else will be able to advise more, but I'm pretty sure that you'll need an NIE for a new job, and it'll be on your bank details etc too. In fact, you may well need to fill in the ex 18 form to register as a resident here.
 
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