Help Really In the Crap now!!!

[Gentleone]

I hope you don't mind me posting this but this site seems the best source of info!

I have a strange problem and need help! We bought our house 2 years ago and at that point we did not need NIE numbers, however we had structural problems with it and had to move out and give it back to the builder while he built a new one!

This is now nearly ready and we were due to go out in early December to transfer the property, however the builder has now asked us for NIE numbers which we do not have!

How can we get NIE numbers by the 12th December from sunny England? Is there a cunning plan, how do we download the forms to start the process running. Do we need them to transfer the property?

Thanks for any help!

[costaconvert]

Hi

As far as I am aware you can't short circuit the system, because you need to be there in person with your photo's etc. Also the NIE number take several days to be issued although that can be issued when you are back in the UK.

You could if you have a solicitor get them to do all the donkey work meet them in Alicante with the paperwork and your photo's have it done and then fly back to the UK could be done in a day!

Then NIE numbers can be issued to Solicitor.

As far as I know this is the only way and there is not short cut, You will probably have to give your solicitor power of attorney.

I don't understand why you did not have them first time round, my friend who purchased her property nearly 4 years ago needed an NIE number!!

Sorry can't help more than that.

[Laurie Anderson]

[Doc]

The form can be downloaded from the following link. Better still, complete it on screen and you can then print it out a couple of times to save having to get it copied somewhere.

http://www.mir.es/sites/mir/modelos/...acion/ex14.pdf

If you need help filling it in, just shout.

HTH,

Chris.

[tornado]

Can vouch for this - we did the NIE via Manchester Spanish Consulate - ONE WORD OF WARNING - we applied 7 weeks ago - were advised would take between 4-6 weeks. When we went out to Spain last week the rep told us that another couple he knew had applied this way and 3 months down the line, they still hadnt received their NIE.

Our Solicitor confirmed yesterday they had NOT received the necessary documents back yet!

Just thought I had better warn you just in case the 'system' lets you down.

[squeals]

Gentleone, are you sure you don't have an NIE no? We had to have one when we bought 3 and a bit years ago. The difference then was the number was applied for after the purchase and hence our solicitor got ours once we completed. Did you ever have to hand over 2 photos? If so you probably have one and the forms are probably with your lawyer/fiscal representitive. I would check with your lawyer before you apply for another one.

[jeangenie]

I don't understand why you did not have them first time round, my friend who purchased her property nearly 4 years ago needed an NIE number!!

We bought our house Jan 2004 and we DIDNT need a NIE number.
I believe the rules only changed sometime last year

[beastess]

You certainly needed NIEs by law when purchasing even when I bought off-plan five years ago. Look at the original documentation or speak to your lawyer. You may have an NIE without realising!

[Doc]

I didn't have my NIE number when I bought in Jan 2003, but it did cause enormous problems with regard to paying the purchase tax. Fortunately my bank found a way round the problem. I think the issue now is that it is no longer possible to 'find a way round', hence the notary will insist on seeing the NIE numbers before allowing completion to take place.

Chris.

[costaconvert]

I don't understand why you did not have them first time round, my friend who purchased her property nearly 4 years ago needed an NIE number!!

We bought our house Jan 2004 and we DIDNT need a NIE number.
I believe the rules only changed sometime last year

I made my purchase in April/May last year and I needed one, you may have one but don't realise it.

[ItsSpainNotUK]

I bought seven years ago and they just used my passport number. This is the same number that is quoted for my IBI payments too. Maybe the law has changed since then. I once opened a savings account and I had to get a NIF (f or foreigner).

Regards

John

[squeals]

We were catorgorically told in 2002 that whether you wanted to purchase a house, car, boat or the such like, you needed an NIE number. I would be seriously concerned to all you who do not have one. You could always pose the question on the legal advice part of this forum. The only change I am aware of that was made last year, is that you have to have an NIE number prior to the purchase now rather than applying after the purchase which was previously allowed.

[KC]

We completed on our property in Altos De La Bahia in May this year (2005) witout an NIE number.
We took our documentation to the new office in torrevieja on a visit in August and only queued for 15 minutes.
Picked up NIE nos on a short visit in October.

[costaconvert]

Hi

Just like to point something out to you, and I quote

" If you are a non resident property owner, you will have the above mentioned taxes to pay and perhaps a fiscal representative to name. In order to pay these taxes, you must apply for a [i]numero de identificacion de extranjero, a NIE, which is your Spanish tax identification number. Residents, of course, have a number as well, and Spaniards do, too.
If fact, you should apply for this number when you purchase your property. The number identifies you to the Spanish taxman and is required when you pay your taxes or have any dealings with Hacienda.

To obtain it, simply present yourself at the nearest police comisaria with a forreigners department, along with a photocopyof the first few pages of your passport. Fill in the form and wait a few weeks for your number to be assigned. You can also have your gestoria do this for you. Then you will be registered with Hacienda's central computers just like the rest of us in today's electrinically observed society"

Whether you get one or not I suppose is up to you but if you do not have one I guess you are not paying any taxes in Spain. Which include Rental or Business Income income tax which is suppose to be declared every 30 days after renting out your property and is currently 25% of your rental income, Wealth Tax is also payable and is based on all your assets and property. Annual Real Estate Tax on your Spanish property must also be paid. It is like council tax and varies like council tax. You can only pay these taxes if you have an NIE number as that number is the only way you are identified by the Taxman!!!!!


This quote is in the latest edition of You and the Law in Spain, and was published in March 2005.