# NIE Appointment Script: Exactly What to Bring, Say, and Do

This is your complete guide to surviving the NIE appointment in Barcelona. Follow it step by step and you will walk out with your NIE number.

> The NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is your foreigner identification number. You need it for almost everything: renting an apartment, opening a bank account, signing an employment contract, paying taxes, buying a car.

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## Pre-Appointment Checklist

Complete these steps before your appointment day. Do not leave any of them for the morning of.

### 1. Pay the Modelo 790 Codigo 012

This is the official fee for the NIE. It costs **EUR 12.00** and must be paid before your appointment.

- [ ] Go to the [Agencia Tributaria website](https://www.agenciatributaria.gob.es) and search for "Modelo 790 Codigo 012"
- [ ] Fill in the online form with your details (name, passport number)
- [ ] Under reason, select: "Asignacion de Numero de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y certificados"
- [ ] Generate and print the PDF
- [ ] Take the printed PDF to any Spanish bank branch (CaixaBank, BBVA, Sabadell, Bankinter) and pay EUR 12.00
- [ ] The bank stamps the form as proof of payment. **Keep the stamped original.** This is what you bring to your appointment.

> Tip: You cannot pay this online unless you already have a Spanish bank account. Since you need the NIE to open a bank account, the physical bank branch payment is the standard route.

### 2. Fill Out Your Form (in advance!)

Do not show up expecting to fill it at the office. The queue will not wait for you.

**EU Citizens: EX-18 form** (Solicitud de Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Union)
- Download from [policia.es](https://www.policia.es) under Extranjeria forms

**Non-EU Citizens: EX-15 form** (Solicitud de Numero de Identidad de Extranjero)
- Download from [policia.es](https://www.policia.es) under Extranjeria forms

### 3. Get Passport Photos

- [ ] 2 passport-sized photos (white background, 32x26mm)
- [ ] Available at photo booths in metro stations (EUR 5) or photo studios (EUR 5-8)
- [ ] Not always requested for the white NIE, but always requested for the TIE card. Bring them regardless.

### 4. Make Photocopies

- [ ] Photocopy your passport main page (photo + data page)
- [ ] Photocopy your filled-in EX-15 or EX-18 form
- [ ] Photocopy your paid Modelo 790
- [ ] Photocopy your empadronamiento (if you have it)
- [ ] Photocopy any supporting documents (employment contract, rental agreement, etc.)
- [ ] Bring originals AND photocopies of everything. The office keeps the copies and returns the originals.

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## Document Checklist: EU Citizens

| Document | Required? | Notes |
|----------|-----------|-------|
| Cita Previa confirmation (printed) | Yes | Print on paper. They will not accept a phone screen. |
| Passport or national ID card + photocopy | Yes | Original + photocopy of the main page |
| Completed EX-18 form | Yes | Filled out in advance |
| Modelo 790 Codigo 012 (paid, stamped) | Yes | EUR 12.00, paid at a bank branch |
| Proof of economic activity | Yes | Employment contract, Autonomo registration, bank statements showing EUR 7,000+ or monthly income above EUR 600, or student enrollment |
| Empadronamiento | Yes | Required for EU registration |
| Health insurance proof | Yes | Private insurance or EHIC card |
| 2 passport photos | Recommended | White background, 32x26mm |

---

## Document Checklist: Non-EU Citizens

| Document | Required? | Notes |
|----------|-----------|-------|
| Cita Previa confirmation (printed) | Yes | Print on paper |
| Passport + photocopy | Yes | Original + photocopy of the main page |
| Completed EX-15 form | Yes | Filled out in advance |
| Modelo 790 Codigo 012 (paid, stamped) | Yes | EUR 12.00, paid at a bank branch |
| Proof of why you need the NIE | Yes | Job offer, rental contract, property purchase, university enrollment. "I am moving to Barcelona" is NOT sufficient. |
| Empadronamiento | Bring it | Some offices require it, some do not. Bring it. |
| 2 passport photos | Recommended | White background, 32x26mm |
| TIE card fee (if applicable) | Maybe | EUR 16.32, separate Modelo 790 |

---

## How to Fill Out the EX-15 Form (Non-EU)

The form is in Spanish. Here are the key fields:

| Field | Meaning | What to Write |
|-------|---------|---------------|
| Nombre | First name | Your first name |
| Primer apellido | First surname | Your family name |
| Segundo apellido | Second surname | Leave blank if you only have one |
| Fecha de nacimiento | Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY format |
| Lugar de nacimiento | Place of birth | City, Country |
| Nacionalidad | Nationality | Your nationality |
| Domicilio en Espana | Address in Spain | Your full Spanish address |
| Motivo de la solicitud | Reason for application | Be specific: "contrato de trabajo" (employment), "contrato de alquiler" (rental), "compraventa de inmueble" (property purchase), "matricula universitaria" (university) |

---

## How to Fill Out the EX-18 Form (EU)

Same structure as above, with one key difference:

| Field | Meaning | What to Write |
|-------|---------|---------------|
| Motivo de la solicitud | Reason for registration | "Trabajador por cuenta ajena" (employee), "Trabajador por cuenta propia" (self-employed), "Familiar de ciudadano de la UE" (family of EU citizen), "Estudiante" (student) |

---

## Appointment Day: What to Expect

### NIE Offices in Barcelona

| Office | Address | Notes |
|--------|---------|-------|
| Oficina de Extranjeria | Carrer de Murcia, 42, Badalona | Main immigration office |
| Comisaria de Policia - Extranjeria | Rambla Guipuscoa, 74 | Police station with immigration services |
| Comisaria de Policia - Via Augusta | Carrer Via Augusta, 202 | Another police option |

### Timeline

**15-20 minutes before appointment**: Arrive. There is usually a line outside before the office opens. Arriving on time means arriving late in practical terms.

**At the door**: Show your Cita Previa confirmation to the security guard. You will be directed to a waiting area.

**Waiting**: Your name or number is called. Wait times vary from 10 minutes to over an hour, even with an appointment. Bring a book.

**At the window**: A funcionario (civil servant) behind a glass window reviews your documents. They may ask questions in Spanish. If you do not speak Spanish, they will usually manage with basic English or gestures.

**The check**: They verify your forms are correctly filled out, your Modelo 790 is paid, you have a valid reason, and your passport is valid.

**The outcome**: If everything is in order, you receive your NIE certificate on the spot - a white A4 sheet with your NIE number, name, and official stamp. For EU registrations, you get the green Certificado de Registro.

---

## What to Say in Spanish

### Arriving

| Situation | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|-----------|---------|---------------|
| I have an appointment | Tengo cita previa | TEN-go SEE-tah PREH-vee-ah |
| My appointment is at [time] | Mi cita es a las [hora] | mee SEE-tah es ah lahs [OH-rah] |
| Where do I wait? | Donde espero? | DON-deh es-PEH-roh |

### At the Window

| Situation | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|-----------|---------|---------------|
| I want to apply for my NIE | Quiero solicitar mi NIE | kee-EH-roh soh-lee-see-TAR mee nee-EH |
| Here are my documents | Aqui estan mis documentos | ah-KEE es-TAN mees doh-koo-MEN-tohs |
| I have all the copies | Tengo todas las copias | TEN-go TOH-das lahs KOH-pee-as |
| My form is filled out | Mi formulario esta rellenado | mee for-moo-LAH-ree-oh es-TAH reh-yeh-NAH-doh |
| I am a [EU/non-EU] citizen | Soy ciudadano de la UE / Soy extracomunitario | soy thee-oo-dah-DAH-no deh lah oo-EH / soy ex-trah-koh-moo-nee-TAH-ree-oh |

### If There is a Problem

| Situation | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|-----------|---------|---------------|
| What document is missing? | Que documento me falta? | keh doh-koo-MEN-toh meh FAL-tah |
| Where can I get copies? | Donde puedo hacer copias? | DON-deh PWEH-doh ah-SEHR KOH-pee-as |
| Can I come back today? | Puedo volver hoy? | PWEH-doh vol-VEHR oy |
| Do I need a new appointment? | Necesito una nueva cita? | neh-seh-SEE-toh OO-nah NWEH-vah SEE-tah |
| Can you repeat that, please? | Puede repetir, por favor? | PWEH-deh reh-peh-TEER, por fah-VOR |

---

## What to Do If Sent Away

It happens. Common reasons and how to fix them:

### Missing Modelo 790 Payment
- **Fix**: Find the nearest bank (there is usually one within 5 minutes of the office). Pay, get the stamp, and ask if you can return the same day.

### Missing Photocopies
- **Fix**: There is almost always a copy shop (copisteria) within 100 meters of every immigration office. They know exactly what you need. Ask "Necesito fotocopias para el NIE" and they will handle it.

### Form Filled Out Incorrectly
- **Fix**: Get a new blank form at the office or the copy shop nearby. Fill it out carefully this time. Use the field guide above.

### "You Need Proof of Reason"
- **Fix**: This is the most common rejection for non-EU citizens. You need a concrete document: employment contract, rental pre-agreement, property purchase contract, or university enrollment letter. A bank statement alone is not enough. If you do not have one, your gestoria may be able to provide a letter.

### "Come Back with a New Appointment"
- **Fix**: Ask specifically what was wrong so you can fix it. Then rebook your Cita Previa immediately (slots fill fast). If you are struggling to get a new slot, hire a gestoria.

---

## After Your Appointment: What to Do with Your NIE

Your NIE number is on the white A4 sheet (or green certificate for EU citizens). This number is yours permanently. Here is what to do next:

- [ ] Make 5-10 photocopies of your NIE certificate immediately
- [ ] Store the original in a safe place (not in your daily bag)
- [ ] Open a bank account (Day 4 task - you now have what you need)
- [ ] Register with Social Security (Day 5 task)
- [ ] Use it to sign your rental contract
- [ ] Use it for your Autonomo registration (if self-employed)
- [ ] Use it for school enrollment (if you have children)
- [ ] Use it for your driver's license exchange (if applicable)

---

## Costs Summary

| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Modelo 790 Codigo 012 (NIE/EU registration) | EUR 12.00 |
| TIE card fee (non-EU, if applicable) | EUR 16.32 |
| Gestoria (optional but recommended) | EUR 100-200 |
| Passport photos (2x) | EUR 5-8 |
| Photocopies | EUR 1-3 |
| **Total DIY** | **EUR 18-23** |
| **Total with gestoria** | **EUR 118-223** |

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## Pro Tips

1. **Bring a Spanish-speaking friend** or hire a gestoria (EUR 100-200). The investment pays for itself in stress reduction and first-attempt success rate.

2. **Print everything.** The office does not have printers. They will not look at documents on your phone screen.

3. **Arrive with a folder**, not loose papers. Organize by document type. Hand over exactly what they ask for, in order.

4. **The funcionarios are not trying to be difficult.** They process hundreds of applications daily. Be polite, patient, and prepared. "Gracias por su ayuda" (thank you for your help) goes a long way.

5. **If you hire a gestoria, they come with you to the appointment.** They handle the talking, know which window to go to, and have all your paperwork organized. For EUR 100-200, it is the smoothest possible experience.

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*Part of the SettleBarcelona Starter Pack. For the full NIE guide, visit [settleinbarcelona.com/guides/nie-barcelona](https://settleinbarcelona.com/guides/nie-barcelona).*