The N.I.E. (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a necessity for most dealing in Southern Spain. It is a means of identification and also enables records to be kept of any financial dealings that you might have on the Costa del Sol. Without it you cannot work, open a bank account or buy property on the Costa del Sol. In fact you will be asked for this number in all your official dealings in Spain.Regardless of being a resident or not, you will require this number for any financial dealings.
 
You can apply directly for an N.I.E. at the nearest national police station along the Costa del Sol where you will need to complete a short form. Many people pay a solicitor or gestor (legal administrator) to apply on their behalf, as knowledge of Spanish is generally needed to communicate with staff and to complete the form. Although many towns such as Fuengirola have volunteers to help non-Spanish speakers
 
Should you wish to do it yourself, it is recommended that you arrive at the police station early to avoid lengthy queues. Also there are only so many tickets available, so if you not early enough you might have to try again the next day. Please remember to take your passport along with a photocopy.
 
Once the form is completed and been handed in, you should be able to collect your N.I.E. shortly. Don’t worry though; while the paper work is being processed you will be given a temporary number so that you can still get on with your life.