Who needs to get an NIE number in Spain?
If you wish to undertake some of the following activities as a non-Spanish citizen, you must first obtain the NIE:
- Buy property
- Purchase a car
- Get a contract with utilities and services
- Pay taxes
- Buy or sell property
- Open a bank account
- Work or establish a business
- Sign contracts or other legal or tax activity
Registration | Empadronamiento
The empadronamiento refers to the legal requirement in Spain to present yourself to the local government and declare that you are residing in a particular municipality. Think of it as an ongoing census that the government uses to allot tax dollars, police protection, and investment in infrastructure to a particular city or region. It’s a very low stress process, and it varies a bit from city to city and region to region.
Certificados y Asignacion Nie (No Comunitarios)
NON-EU residents can apply for the non-residential NIE number with similar conditions as EU nationals (for administrative purposes) if they do not intend to live in Spain. One of the most important parts of the process is demonstrating you have enough justification to be granted the NIE.
Autorización de Regreso
An autorización de regreso, or a return authorization, allows you to leave Spain, or the entire Schengen Area and be allowed back in Spain again. This is to make sure that when you return back to a Spanish port of entry, they would know that your documents have been submitted and your application is in process. Without a regreso, most likely, you will not be allowed back in Spain and you will need to apply for a visa again.
Certificados (de residencia, de no residencia y de concordancia)
This is a Spanish certificate confirming the status of a foreigner as a resident or non-resident of Spain (depending on the type of certificate).
Invitation letter | Carta de Invitación
When planning a visit to Spain, particularly for non-EU citizens, it is often necessary to obtain a visa through the Spanish embassy or consulate. In many cases, along with the visa application, applicants are required to provide a carta de invitación (invitation letter). This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the appointment carta de invitación process in Spain, including its purpose, requirements, and how to obtain one.