Form EX-15 – Key information about the application

What is the EX-15 form and who must submit it?

Form EX-15 (full name: “Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados”) is an official document in the Spanish administrative system used by foreigners to apply for a Foreigner Identification Number (NIE).

This form must be submitted by all foreign nationals who:

• They plan to move to Spain to live there.
• They intend to work or study in Spain.
• They want to buy property in Spain.
• They plan to open a bank account.
• They intend to run a business.
• They have any economic, professional or social interests in Spain.

The NIE is a unique identification number for foreigners in Spain, without which it is impossible to carry out many important legal and administrative procedures. It is the first step in the process of legalising your stay and activities in the country.

Basic information about the EX-15 form

When is it necessary to submit an EX-15 form?

The EX-15 form shall be submitted in the following cases:

• When applying for a NIE for the first time – this applies to persons who have never had a NIE number before
• When modifying registered personal data – when the foreigner’s data has changed
• When renewing an invalid NIE – in the case of documents with a specific expiry date
• When applying for certificates, such as a certificate of conformity (certificado de concordancia)

What is a NIE number and why is it important?

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is an identification number for foreigners in Spain. It consists of:

• Initial letter (X for numbers assigned before 15 July 2008, Y for numbers assigned after that date)
• Seven digits
• Alphabetic verification character

Having a NIE number is absolutely essential for:

• Purchase of real estate – a solicitor is NOT required for the notarial deed
• Opening a bank account – banks require a NIE from foreigners
• Signing an employment contract – employers need a NIE to hire a foreigner
• Dealing with official matters – most administrative procedures require a NIE number
• Starting a business – company registration requires a NIE number

How does the EX-15 form differ from other immigration forms?

The EX-15 form is only used to obtain a NIE number, whereas:

• Form EX-17 – used to register EU citizens and obtain a certificate of residence
• Form EX-18 – used to obtain a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen
• Form EX-19 – used to apply for a permanent residence card for an EU citizen

Each of these forms has a different function within the Spanish immigration system, so it is important to choose the right document for your situation.

The process of completing the EX-15 form

Where can I find the official EX-15 form?

The official EX-15 form can be obtained in several ways:

• Online – on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration
• At immigration offices (Oficinas de Extranjería)
• At police stations (Comisarías de Policía)
• At Spanish consulates abroad

How to complete the EX-15 form?

The EX-15 form must be completed in accordance with specific rules:

• IN BLOCK CAPITALS – this is an absolute requirement
• In black pen or typed (on a computer)
• In Spanish – the Spanish administration does not accept forms in other languages
• In duplicate – original and copy

The EX-15 form consists of several key sections:

1. Foreign national data (DATOS DEL EXTRANJERO)

• Passport number
• NIE (if you already have one)
• Surname and first name
• Gender
• Date of birth (in dd/mm/yyyy format)
• Place and country of birth
• Nationality
• Marital status
• Parents’ names
• Residential address and contact details

2. Representative details (DATOS DEL REPRESENTANTE)

• This section is to be completed only if the application is submitted by a representative.
• Please provide the representative’s personal details and attach the relevant power of attorney.

3. Correspondence address (DOMICILIO A EFECTOS DE NOTIFICACIONES)

• Please enter the address to which all notifications should be sent.

4. Information concerning the application (DATOS RELATIVOS A LA SOLICITUD)

• Type of document (TIPO DE DOCUMENTO) – select NIE
• Reasons (MOTIVOS) – select the reason for applying for NIE:
  • Economic interests (e.g. property purchase)
  • Professional interests (e.g. work)
  • Social interests (e.g. family reunification)
• Place of submission (LUGAR DE PRESENTACIÓN)
• Situation in Spain (SITUACIÓN EN ESPAÑA) – stay (estancia) or residence (residencia)

What supporting documents should be attached to the form?

The following must be attached to the EX-15 form:

• Original and copy of your passport (for EU citizens, an identity card may be accepted)
• Documents confirming the purpose of your stay in Spain, e.g.:
  • Employment contract
  • Preliminary agreement for the purchase of real estate
  • Document confirming admission to university
  • Confirmation of business registration
• Confirmation of administrative fee (Tasa 790 Código 012)
• Certificate of residence (if applying at a consulate)

Practical aspects related to the EX-15 form

Does the EX-15 form have to be completed in Spanish?

Yes, the EX-15 form must be completed in Spanish. The Spanish authorities do not accept forms completed in other languages. If you do not speak Spanish, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a translator or a professional administrator.

Can the form be completed online or only in paper form?

The EX-15 form can be completed in two ways:

• Online – fill in electronically and then print out
• Paper – fill in the form downloaded or obtained from the office by hand

Regardless of the method chosen, the form must ultimately be submitted in person to the relevant office. It is not possible to submit the application entirely electronically.

Official administrative fee for submitting the form

An official administrative fee is charged for submitting the EX-15 form and issuing the NIE, which is paid using form Tasa 790 Código 012.

The payment process is as follows:

1. Download the payment form from the Spanish police website.
2. Fill in the form.
3. Pay the fee at a bank.
4. Attach the payment confirmation to the EX-15 form.

The fee may vary, so it is advisable to check the current amount on the official website.

How long does it take to process an EX-15 form?

According to the regulations, the procedure should be considered within a maximum of five days from the date of receipt of the application by the competent authority.

In practice, waiting times may vary depending on:

• Region of Spain
• Office workload
• Season (waiting times may be longer during holiday periods)

In some cases, particularly in less busy offices, the NIE may be issued on the same day.

Where should I submit the EX-15 form?

Offices accepting the form

The EX-15 form can be submitted to:

• Immigration offices (Oficinas de Extranjería)
• Police stations (Comisarías de Policía)
• Spanish consulates or embassies abroad (if the applicant is outside Spain)

In larger cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, there are several immigration offices, each of which may handle different types of procedures. Before visiting, it is worth checking which office is appropriate for your case.

Submission by a representative

The EX-15 form may be submitted in person or by a representative. If submitted by a representative, appropriate authorisation is required, most often in the form of a notarised power of attorney.

This is particularly useful for people who:

• They do not reside in Spain
• They do not speak Spanish
• They do not have time to deal with formalities

Making an appointment (cita previa)

Before submitting the EX-15 form, it is necessary to make an appointment (cita previa). This is an absolutely essential step – without an appointment, the authorities will not accept your documents.

The date can be reserved:

• Online on the relevant authority’s website
• By telephone (in some cases)

Please note that a separate booking is required for each applicant – if you are applying for the whole family, each person needs a separate appointment.

Office opening hours

Most offices accepting EX-15 forms are open:

• Monday to Friday
• From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Some offices may have special opening hours for different types of matters. It is best to check the exact opening hours on the website of the specific office before your visit.

Common errors and issues

Common mistakes when filling in the EX-15 form

The most common mistakes when completing the EX-15 form include:

• Incomplete filling in of all required fields – each field marked with an asterisk must be filled in
• Incorrect formatting of date of birth – the required format is dd/mm/yyyy
• No signature on the form – the form must be signed by the applicant or their representative
• Filling in with lowercase letters instead of uppercase letters – the form must be filled in with CAPITAL letters
• Incorrect data in the form – inconsistent with the identity document
• Failure to select the correct reason for applying for a NIE – a specific reason must be indicated

What should you do if your form is rejected?

If the EX-15 form is rejected, you must:

1. Find out the reason for rejection – the official should inform you of the reason
2. Correct any errors – fill in any missing information or correct any incorrect data
3. Make a new appointment (cita previa)
4. Submit the corrected version of the form together with all the required documents

It is worth remembering that in some cases, rejection may be due to a lack of the required supporting documents rather than errors in the form itself.

Consequences of providing false information

Providing false information on the EX-15 form may result in:

• Rejection of the application
• Revocation of an already granted NIE
• Difficulties in future administrative procedures
• Legal sanctions in the event of deliberate falsification of documents

The Spanish authorities take immigration issues very seriously, so all information provided must be truthful and verifiable.

Relationship between the EX-15 form and other procedures

How does the EX-15 form relate to the process of obtaining residency?

Obtaining a NIE through the EX-15 form is often the first step in the process of legalising your stay in Spain. Depending on the situation:

• For EU citizens – once you have obtained your NIE, you can apply for a residence certificate (using form EX-18).
• For third-country nationals – your NIE is required to apply for a residence card (TIE).

Do I need to complete any other registrations after obtaining my NIE number?

After obtaining your NIE number, depending on the length and purpose of your stay, additional procedures may be required:

• Registration at the town hall (empadronamiento) – for persons planning to stay longer than 3 months
• Obtaining a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) – for stays longer than 6 months
• Registration in the social security system – for persons planning to work in Spain

Is the EX-15 form related to the right to work in Spain?

The EX-15 form and obtaining a NIE do not automatically grant the right to work in Spain. The situation varies depending on citizenship:

• EU citizens – have the right to work after obtaining a NIE
• Third-country nationals – need an additional work permit

For non-EU nationals who wish to work in Spain, an NIE alone is not sufficient – it is necessary to obtain the appropriate work permit or work visa.

Special cases and exceptions

EU citizens vs. third-country nationals

The process of obtaining a NIE via the EX-15 form differs slightly for EU and non-EU citizens:

For EU citizens:

• You can identify yourself with your national identity card instead of your passport.
• The procedure is usually quicker and simpler.
• Fewer supporting documents are required.

For third-country nationals:

• A passport is always required.
• The procedure may take longer.
• Additional supporting documents are often required.

Requirements for persons purchasing real estate

Individuals purchasing property in Spain absolutely need a NIE to finalise the purchase. When submitting form EX-15 for this purpose:

• The reason for applying for a NIE should be “economic interests”.
• A document confirming the intention to purchase the property (e.g. a preliminary agreement) should be attached.
• The process can be expedited if the purchase of the property is to take place in the near future.

It is worth remembering that a notary will not finalise a property purchase transaction without a NIE number.

Are there regional differences in the process of submitting the form?

Although the EX-15 form itself is standardised at national level, procedures and requirements may vary slightly depending on the region:

• The process is faster in some regions than in others
• Supplementary documentation may be interpreted more or less strictly
• The availability of appointments (cita previa) varies significantly between regions

There may be particularly large differences between large cities (Madrid, Barcelona), where offices are often overloaded, and smaller towns, where procedures run more smoothly.

Support and advice

Where can I get help filling out the EX-15 form?

Assistance in completing the EX-15 form can be obtained from:

• Immigration offices – officials can provide basic information
• Spanish consulates – particularly useful before travelling to Spain
• Non-governmental organisations supporting immigrants
• Private consulting companies specialising in immigration issues

Is it worth using the services of a manager or lawyer?

Many people use the services of professional advisors when applying for a NIE:

• Gestores (Spanish administrative advisers) specialise in administrative procedures
• Abogados (lawyers) offer more comprehensive legal assistance

Using such services is particularly useful if:

• You do not know Spanish
• You do not have time to deal with the formalities yourself
• Your situation is complicated
• You want to avoid mistakes and speed up the process

Typical costs of professional support services

The cost of such a service can range from €50 to €200, depending on:

• The scope of assistance (just filling out the form or full representation)
• The region of Spain (services are usually more expensive in large cities)
• The experience and reputation of the consulting firm

Checklist before submitting the EX-15 form

Complete list of documents to prepare

Before submitting the EX-15 form, you should prepare:

• Two copies of the completed EX-15 form
• The original and a copy of your passport or identity card (for EU citizens)
• Documents confirming the purpose of your stay in Spain
• Completed and paid Tasa 790 Código 012 form
• Certificate of residence (if applying at a consulate)
• Confirmation of the appointment (cita previa)

Frequently asked questions and answers