If you are already residing in Spain, or are planning to move to Spain soon, it’s important to have all your paperwork in order. This means you may get a job and have access to public services. In this article we will explain how to renew your NIE in Barcelona, also referred to as the tarjeta de residencia.
The NIE, número de identidad extranjero or foreign identity number, is one of those administrative procedures that you will need to go through to be able to work in Spain and pay your taxes as a legal resident. And after a while, you need to renew it. You should keep in mind that the NIE number that appears on your card will always stay the same.
The number on the NIE consists of a unique code, starting with a letter and then followed by seven digits. There is also a verification code on the card. The NIE serves a distinct purpose: every person who holds a NIE can be identified as a foreigner associated with Spain on an economic, social and professional level.
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A while ago you could only obtain a NIE and go through the bureaucratic process in person by taking all the applicant’s documentation with you to a physical office. Nowadays the process can be done 100% online. If you still want to carry out the process in person, you need an appointment with the Immigration Agency in Barcelona (la Agencia de Extranjería).
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If you would rather do the procedure online, you can click on this link, although you will need a digital certificate to complete the procedure. If you don’t have a digital certificate yet, you can ask a gestoria or legal service for administrative support.
As already mentioned, the NIE must be renewed from time to time (and the length of this time depends on your situation), but the number never changes. Once the personal identification number is attributed to you, it always remains the same. To keep it valid, however, it must be renewed before it expires.
In order to renew your NIE you must comply with the following requirements:
In order to ‘renew’ your NIE in Barcelona, or in any other Spanish city, you will first need to collect every NIE related document indicated below:
The document is issued by the DGP, or Dirección General de la Policía, but the Administración General del Estado is responsible for granting the number.
It can be renewed in person at the Immigration Offices, Oficina de Extranjeros, or at the Sede de Extranjería. In order to renew your NIE in Barcelona, you must visit the office closest to your current address.
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There are two offices in Barcelona to complete the procedure: EU citizens should visit the Rambla de Guipúscoa office, and non-EU citizens need to go to the office at Passeig de Sant Joan. Before showing up there spontaneously, you must have an appointment (a cita previa) for the NIE. Follow these steps to arrange an appointment:
On the day of the appointment you take all the required documentation with you. Then you wait for the administrative agent to review those documents. If your application is approved, they will tell you how long it will take to receive it in your physical or digital mailbox.
There is a waiting list for a cita previa, and it may take several months before you get an appointment. You can visit the Registro Público Oficial with all the previously mentioned documents without having an appointment, if you can’t wait that long. The administrative agent will put a stamp on your application and send it to the Immigration Office. This shortens the waiting time and starts the procedure as well. You will receive your documents when everything is processed.
Once you have prepared all the required documents, you can also ask for a renewal of the NIE by sending it by mail (the Correos).
The process is the same as with going to the Immigration Office or the Registro Público Oficial. Take all the documents you have collected and prepared, and take them with you (including two copies of the EX15 form) in an open envelope to the Correos office closest to you.
They will provide your documents with a stamp, and you will keep a copy of the stamped application form. The Correos will then send your envelope directly to the NIE office.
If you prefer sending your documents by mail, we advise you to use the option correo certificado con acuse de recibo. This is more effective and secure.
To formalize the NIE renewal procedure online, you must follow the steps below:
With all the information above, you are now ready to complete the process of renewing your NIE in Barcelona. Have you gone through the procedure before? How did it go?
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View Comments
hey do you know which is the cheapest insurance for renewing NIE? I'm searching but haven't found
Hola my name is Miranda Vinjwa,I'm a students at escola massana,but I don't know where to go because my student visa in due on the fourth of January. But the consulate in Barcelona base told me in order for me to ally for their permit in need to go to Madrid.But the consulate in south Africa said I can do it at police station or the embasy.
hey olivia.May i know which health insurance did u get to renew your nie.I planning to buy from Cesar Seguros ,the 'Activo ' Plan .
Thank you so much.
Hi, Thank you for the informations!
One question, I can not find the choice of "prorroga de estancia por estudios" on the immigration office's web site to make an appointment to submit the documents for my student NIE renewing, is it changed now? Thank you in advance for your reply!
Best
HELLO, I AM STUDYING ONE YEAR MASTER AND MY NIE WILL BE EXPIRED ON OCTOBER 1ST, AND I WANT TO RENEW IT BASED ON MY NEW APPLICATION IN A NEW SCHOOL. I DO NOT HAVE ANY BANK ACCOUNT YET. CAN I ASK MY PARENTS TO SEND ME SOME FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS AND BANK ACCOUNT TO ENSURE THEY SUPPORT ME TO SHOW TO THE POLICE?
hey do you know which is the cheapest insurance for renewing NIE? I’m searching but haven’t found
I have applied NIE renewal on 21st jan 2020 but I haven't got any response from them till now, how long does it take for getting NIE renewal approval ?
Hello Rajani,
Our real estate agency does not have any information on the NIE renewal process. Please contact the office where you applied for the renewal for further assistance.
Regards,
Daniella