NIE for Work, Freelancers & Entrepreneurs in Spain

Table of Contents

1. Who Needs a NIE to Work or Start a Business in Spain

2. Types of Workers That Require a NIE

3. NIE vs TIE for Non-EU Workers

4. How to Get a NIE for Employment

5. How Freelancers (Autónomos) Apply for a NIE

6. NIE for Starting a Business in Spain

7. Required Documents

8. Timeline and Processing Tips

9. Get Help from a Lawyer or Gestor

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1. 👥 Who Needs a NIE to Work or Start a Business in Spain?

Whether you’re planning to work for a company, register as a freelancer (autónomo), or launch a business, you’ll need a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero).

The NIE is your official tax ID in Spain — legally required before signing an employment contract, issuing invoices, registering for social security, or opening a business bank account.

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2. 📌 Types of Workers That Require a NIE

✅ Employees (EU and non-EU)
✅ Freelancers / Autónomos
✅ Digital nomads working remotely from Spain
✅ Company directors / shareholders
✅ Entrepreneurs opening a Spanish SL or branch

Even remote workers may be required to hold a NIE to comply with residency or tax obligations, especially when spending more than 90 days in Spain.

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3. 🔄 NIE vs TIE for Non-EU Workers

💡 A non-EU citizen needs a visa, then receives a TIE — but they must first get a NIE to start the process.

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4. 🧾 How to Get a NIE for Employment

If you’ve been offered a job in Spain:

1. Ask the employer for a copy of your job offer or contract

2. Book a NIE appointment (Cita Previa)

3. Complete Forms EX-15 and 790-012

4. Bring documents to the National Police

5. Receive your NIE number

📝 Your justification letter should say:

“Necesito un NIE para firmar un contrato de trabajo en España.”

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5. 🧑‍💻 How Freelancers (Autónomos) Apply for a NIE

If you plan to register as a freelancer, you must apply for a NIE before:

• Registering with the Tax Office (Agencia Tributaria)

• Enrolling with Social Security (Seguridad Social)

• Issuing invoices in Spain

Common use cases:

• Digital nomads

• Consultants

• Creatives and remote workers

• Self-employed in hospitality, tech, etc.

💡 Some freelancers may also need to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa, which starts with a NIE.

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6. 🏢 NIE for Starting a Business in Spain

Foreign entrepreneurs need a NIE before:

• Incorporating a Spanish company (e.g. S.L.)

• Opening a corporate bank account

• Signing at the notary

• Registering with tax authorities

We recommend starting the NIE process before any business registration, especially for remote investors not yet in Spain.

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7. 📄 Required Documents

• Valid passport (+ photocopy)

• Completed EX-15 form

• Completed 790-012 tax form + proof of payment

• Justification letter (employment, freelance, or business setup)

• Supporting evidence:

  • Job contract (if employee)

  • Business plan / company formation documents (if entrepreneur)

  • Invoices, clients, or freelance proposals (if autónomo)

Optional: Power of Attorney if applying from abroad

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8. ⏱️ Timeline and Processing Tips

📌 Appointments in Barcelona can be hard to get — use a lawyer to speed things up.

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9. ⚖️ Get Help from a Lawyer or Gestor

At Borderless Lawyers, we support professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world with:

✔ NIE appointments and full documentation
✔ Power of Attorney for remote applications
✔ Legal setup for autónomos and companies
✔ Residency and work permit guidance