Expats Outraged By New NIE Procedure. As Brexit looms expats have been left baffled by new procedures for obtaining a Spanish NIE number.

Expats Outraged By New NIE Procedure

The Spanish NIE number, short for Número de Identificación de Extranjero, is a Foreigner Identification Number issued by the Administración General del Estado as a fiscal identification number.  Previously for foreigners who wanted to stay more than 3 months in Spain, the requirements have now been modified and the application procedure revamped.

New NIE Rules

The new rules will come into place on the day of Brexit, and will affect all Brits who wish to spend any time in Spain.  Currently an NIE number is required to open a bank account or make a mortgage application.  After Brexit, an NIE number will be required to do almost anything in Spain.  Brits will be expected to present an NIE number when buying teabags or having a haircut.

The new application process should make it much more difficult for Brits to spend time in Spain.

Act Now

Legal experts are advising all Brits who are planning to spend time in Spain after Brexit to get their NIE number in place now.  Antonio Complicado is from the Nie Union Municipal Principal Torremolinos Yearly.  He says “After Brexit, you won’t be able to cross the road without an an NIE number.  We’re advising everyone to get it sorted right now”.

New Guide To Getting Your NIE

The Costa Del Sol County Council has published a guide to getting an NIE number, which they say will simplify the process.  For Spanish speakers, download the EX15 form, make an appointment at your local police station, present your ID and reason for needing the NIE number along with a €12 fee.

For non-Spanish speakers the new procedure is slightly more complicated.  Ignatio Idioma from the Department Of Complicating Simple Procedures For Foreigners says “If you don’t speak Spanish, you will still find the application procedure fun and challenging”.

Here are the steps for non-Spanish speaking people to apply for an NIE number:

• Download and complete the NIE application form for British Non Spanish Speakers
• Visit your local police station in person and make an appointment to make an appointment
• Return to your local police station for your first appointment, and make your next appointment
• Attend a hearing at your second appointment and present your passport, birth certificate, €12 fee, employment contract, driving license, and documentation to demonstrate regular dental hygiene checks
• At your next appointment you will be able to pay the €84 fourth appointment fee
• At your final appointment which could be in the Town Hall, Police Station, Bus Station, or Burger King (be careful to attend the correct venue or you will have to begin the whole procedure again), you will be asked to draw a portrait of your grand parents in charcoal, perform three successful hand stands, and tie your shoe laces using only one hand.
• Upon completion of these simple procedures, your NIE number will be issued.  For a small fee you will be told what it is.

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NIE Number For Tourists

For British tourists wishing to spend time in Spain there will be a special NIE application desk at every airport where a fast track application can be processed.  However, Ron Weasel from the Andalucian Regional Satisfaction Executive says this will be bad for Spain.  “Tourists can’t be bothered with this, why would they?  They’ll just go somewhere where they don’t need VISAs or NIE numbers, like Southend”.

Outraged Expats

The new procedure is being met with criticism from expats on the Costa Del Sol.  Anne Fernandez runs a Facebook group where Brits can express their outrage at anything from Brexit to the discontinuation of Vesta Boil In The Bag curry.  She says “This is outrageous, we’re being treated like vermin.  It’s ok for Spanish speakers like me, but for the uneducated masses who don’t know the language it will be almost impossible for them to exist here.  Some of my members have an NIE number, but most have sand in their ears after spending so much time with their heads buried in it.  It’s discrimination.  It has to be stopped.”

Andy from Birmingham feels the requirements are unfair.

Brits Leaving Spain

Some Brits are already saying they will have to leave Spain because of this.  Andrew Pandy is from Birmingham and now lives in Estepona.  He says “Actually I’m not from Birmingham, I’m from Digbeth.  I’ll never get an NIE number, I can’t present the evidence of regular dental hygiene checks.  Why would I have those anyway? I only have three teeth”.

Brexit supporter Butch Brown expressed his displeasure in a Facebook post.  “THIS DUNT MAKE SENSE. NO ONE WILL GO THEIR ANYMORE. THEY NEED US MORE THAN WE NEED THEM. MY GRANDFATHER FORT IN THE WAR TO FREE THE SPAINISH FROM THE FRENCH AND WE DESERVE BETTA.  BIG UP BORRIS”.

Did you find it difficult to get an NIE number? Leave your comment below!

Written by Rick O’Shea, Costa Del Sol Update.