Questions
Common questions on the NIE in Marbella
Short answers to what buyers, owners and new residents ask most often, set out in two parts: one for European passports, one for every other, British passports included.
Holders of EU, EEA and Swiss passports
Your NIE, the green certificate and the padrón.
I am buying an apartment but will not live in Marbella. What do I need?
The NIE certificate for non-residents, requested on form EX-15. Registration as a resident concerns only those who live in Spain.
Which form registers me as a resident?
Form EX-18, for the EU registration certificate: the green certificate that carries your NIE and your address.
I was given a NIE for my purchase. Will registration give me another?
No. Your existing number is carried over onto the registration certificate.
Which office will I be seen at?
At a police office of the province with free slots. In Marbella that is the Comisaría at Avenida Arias de Velasco 25; nearby, Estepona and Fuengirola list the same procedures.
What is the fee, and how is it paid?
It is the state tasa, paid on a Modelo 790 under código 012, at a bank or online, ahead of the appointment.
Should the padrón come before the police?
Usually. Officers frequently ask for its certificate, and it is the natural proof of your address, so we tend to arrange it first.
Will the appointment be in Spanish?
Yes, officers work in Spanish. With a complete file there is little to discuss, and we brief you beforehand on what you may be asked.
For every other passport
British passports included, since Brexit.
Can I buy in Marbella with a non-EU passport?
Yes. Nationality does not stand in the way of a purchase. You need a NIE, requested on form EX-15 in Spain or at a Spanish consulate.
Does buying a property still lead to residence?
Not since 2025, when Spain closed the golden visa. Residence now rests on another permit, such as non-lucrative residence for those who will live on their own means.
What is the TIE, and when is it booked?
The card that proves your residence and shows your NIE. The fingerprint appointment, the toma de huellas, is booked after you arrive with your visa.
Which form is used for the TIE?
Form EX-17, presented with your passport, photographs and the paid 790-012 fee.
I am British and lived here before Brexit. What applies to me?
The Withdrawal Agreement shields your residence, and the card proving it is a TIE that names the agreement. The NIE you already hold does not change.
My spouse is European. Which procedure is mine?
Spouses of Europeans living in Spain request their card on form EX-19. Whether you need a visa to enter depends on your nationality.