EX-15
EX-15 is the official application form for the NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), the foreigner identification number that every non Spanish person needs for almost all official and financial transactions in Spain. Whether you are buying property, opening a bank account, starting a job, registering as autónomo, or signing a rental contract, the NIE is the number that makes you visible in the Spanish administrative system.
Who uses EX-15
EX-15 is used by both EU and non EU citizens. For EU citizens, EX-15 is the form to obtain a standalone NIE number, sometimes called the "white NIE" because the certificate is printed on white paper. This is typically the first step before applying for the Certificado de Registro (the green card / CUE) via EX-18. For non EU citizens, EX-15 is used in situations where a standalone NIE is needed urgently, for example to complete a property purchase before the TIE process is finished. The standard route for non EU citizens is to obtain the NIE as part of the TIE application (via EX-17), but EX-15 serves as a workaround for cases where timing is critical.
What the form covers
The form itself is straightforward. It asks for your personal details (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number), your reason for requesting the NIE (economic, professional, or social interests in Spain), and your address in Spain or in your home country. You must also declare whether you have previously held an NIE or have any pending applications with Spanish immigration authorities.
EX-15 does not grant you residency. It assigns you a number. The NIE is an identification number, not a residence permit. Many people confuse the NIE with residency, but they are separate concepts. You can have an NIE without being a resident, and becoming a resident later does not change your NIE number.
Where and how to submit
You submit EX-15 at the Policía Nacional (Comisaria or Oficina de Extranjería) with a cita previa. The appointment is booked online through the sede electrónica. In some cities, particularly Madrid and Barcelona, getting an appointment can take weeks. Smaller towns often have shorter waiting times. You can also apply at a Spanish consulate in your home country before moving, though processing times vary by consulate.
Documents you need alongside EX-15
The form alone is not enough. You need your original passport plus a copy, one recent passport sized photograph, proof of your reason for needing the NIE (a property purchase contract, a job offer letter, a rental agreement, or a letter explaining your economic interest), and the paid Modelo 790 code 012 fee receipt. The exact document requirements can vary slightly by office and region, which is one of the most frustrating aspects of the process. What works in Valencia may not be accepted in Málaga without an additional document.
EX-15 versus EX-18 for EU citizens
This is where confusion runs deep. EU citizens have two paths. EX-15 gives you just the NIE number on a white certificate. EX-18 gives you the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (the green card), which includes the NIE number plus your registration as an EU resident. If you plan to live in Spain, EX-18 is what you ultimately need. EX-15 is the faster route if you need the number urgently for a specific transaction and cannot wait for the full CUE process. Some Policía Nacional offices will only process EX-18 for EU citizens and refuse standalone EX-15 applications, directing you to register as resident directly.
Processing time
In most cases, the NIE certificate is issued on the spot during your appointment, meaning you walk in with the documents and walk out with the number. In some offices, particularly during busy periods, they give you a receipt and ask you to return in a few days. If you applied through a consulate abroad, processing can take two to four weeks.
