🪪 Guide · Arriving in Barcelona

How to get your NIE
appointment in Barcelona.

Step by step, from accessing the booking website to the day of your appointment.

What is the NIE

The NIE is your identification number in Spain.

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is essential for almost everything in Spain, opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, working legally, buying a car, and much more.

The first step is to book an appointment online. This guide explains how to do it simply and directly.

Step by step

How to book your appointment.

Access the booking website

The most practical way to book is through haycita.es, which monitors available slots and alerts you when they appear. The official Spanish police website also allows booking, but slots run out very quickly.

Go to haycita.es →

Select the type of procedure

Choose "Policía - Expedición de tarjeta de identidad de extranjero" (for NIE with residence authorisation) based on your situation. If unsure which procedure applies to you, consult an immigration lawyer.

Select the province and office

For Barcelona, select the Barcelona province and choose the most convenient available office.

Wait for confirmation and save your receipt

After confirming your personal details, you receive an appointment confirmation. Save it, you'll need to show it printed or on your phone on the day.

Prepare your documents in advance

Required documents vary depending on the type of procedure. Check the section below and verify everything you need to bring well in advance.

Documentation

What to bring on the day.

📘

Passport (original + photocopy)

Valid passport with all pages photocopied, including the page showing your entry into Spain.

📋

Completed EX-15 form

NIE application form, available to download from the Spanish Secretary of State for Migration website.

💳

Tax form 790 code 012

Proof of fee payment, must be paid at a bank before the appointment, with the form already completed.

📸

Passport-sized photograph

A recent photo with white background, passport size (3.5 × 4.5 cm).

📄

Printed appointment confirmation

The booking confirmation you received, printed or on your phone.

📁

Supporting documentation

Employment contract, university enrolment, rental contract, or other document justifying your stay in Spain.

Practical tips

What nobody tells you before you go.

⏰

Arrive 15 minutes early. The offices are punctual and some appointments are lost due to late arrivals.

📎

Bring photocopies of everything. Even if not requested, having extra copies avoids unnecessary complications and queues.

🏦

The 790-012 fee must be paid at a physical bank before the appointment, you cannot pay on the day at the office.

🔄

Appointments run out quickly. If you can't find a slot, try accessing haycita.es at different times of day, especially early in the morning.

⚖️

If your situation is complex, work visa, family reunification, regularisation, consider consulting an immigration lawyer before booking.

Frequently asked questions

Questions that come up every time.

Do I need the NIE to take out insurance?

For most insurance policies, no, a passport is sufficient. Health insurance in particular can be taken out before you have the NIE, which is useful if you need immediate cover on arrival.

Can I buy a car without the NIE?

No. In Spain, the NIE is mandatory to buy a car. A foreign driving licence may be used to drive within the established time limit, but purchasing a vehicle requires the NIE.

How long does it take to get the NIE after the appointment?

It depends on the type of NIE. A simple NIE may be issued on the day or within a few days. Residence authorisations take longer, typically between 1 and 3 months depending on the type of application.

Health insurance before your NIE is ready.

If you need medical cover immediately on arrival, for a visa, an urgent appointment, or simply for peace of mind, I can help you take out health insurance with your passport, without waiting for the NIE.

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