GET YOUR NIE BEFORE YOU BUY IN TENERIFE
Puerto Colon 19th April 2007
Many dream of owning a property in the sunshine, and for many the Tenerife, Canary Islands does offer it all. However, when purchasing a property abroad it is important to make sure that you work with specialists who are aware of all the necessary rules and regulations. If you do this, you will certainly be advised about the importance these days of making an early application for the N.I.E. Number (= Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero, directly translates as an Identity Number for Foreigners).
Previously European citizens buying in the Canary Islands and Spain were able to purchase property before obtaining an NIE number, but this changed recently, and now all foreigners buying a property in the Canaries and Spain must obtain an NIE before completing on a purchase. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO APPLY FOR YOUR NIE EITHER WELL BEFORE YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY A PROPERTY OR AS SOON AS YOU START VIEWING PROPERTIES, as it does take time to process.
When purchasing property you need the NIE to register the property into your name, but the NIE is also very important for several other reasons including:.
* Utility contracts for electricity, water, gas, and telephone.
* Release of container from the port authorities (when you move to Tenerife).
* Applying for a Spanish driving license + to validate an EU driving license & car purchase.
* Applying for business permit.
* Dealings with tax authority and town halls (including payments of annual rates).
* Inheritance of Spanish assets.
* Work contracts in the Canaries.
* Making purchases above 3.000 Euros and to be used during all substantial financial transactions.
The Property Gallery sales team does assist clients purchasing through us with the Spanish application form and we do accompany our clients to the local Police Station to process it. This involves an early morning start as the queues forms early and at the time of writing this they only give out numbers to the first 50 applicants for NIE in the queue each day. This may obviously change with time, so please speak to our sales team to get the latest update on the procedures.
When applying for a NIE, the applicant must provide the following documents:
* Completed and signed original application form and a photocopy of the completed form.
* Passport (original + photocopy).
The application form requires that you state your address in Europe and in Tenerife (you are able to use the address of a friend, solicitor or estate agent if you do not already have a property here). You are also required to justify why you need the NIE.
It is also possibly to apply for a NIE whilst outside the Canary Islands or Spain; either to the Central Police Headquarters in Madrid or to your local Spanish consulate. However, the documents required for this is slightly different, so please check with them directly as to what they require at the time.
If you do not want to commit yourself to a specific estate agency like Property Gallery when applying for your NIE you have the option to do the application in Tenerife with offices like ALL OFFICE in Adeje. All Office fee for this service is approx. 90 Euros per person for a NIE. Their contact details are: All Office, C/ Las Jarcias 6C-106, El Galeon, 38670 Adeje, Tenerife. Besides NIE application they can also cover areas like tax adviser, notary services, solicitor, etc.
In Tenerife the application process have been taken approximately one week, however this can change without prior notice depending on the number of staff the police have available to process the documentation.
You must collect the NIE in person (dont forget to bring your original passport with you again when collecting it), or leave a Spanish Notarized Power of Attorney with someone to do it on your behalf (your Estate Agent, All Office, a friend, etc).
Once you have collected your NIE, it is advisable to make several photocopies and keep the original in a safe place. Over time when you own property in Tenerife and deal with official institutions you will find that many require your NIE, so it is important to ensure that you keep hold of it at all times.
Buying property abroad is a very exciting time, hence is important to plan well in advance for your purchase. You really need to get your NIE as soon as possible, as any hold-ups down the line can mean that you miss out on your dream home.
Please contact any of our sales representatives to apply for your NIE number and to get the latest update on the application process.