NIE

One of the most important document required when you move to Spain, or, of course to Barcelona, is the famous NIE number.
this Nie number is like the codice fiscle in Italy, it represents your tax number but, much more than that.
it is almost impossible to do anything without this number. so, the big question is
How to you get this NIE number:

NIE Application

Logistics of Working in Spain

A NIE number (Foreign Identification Number, Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a necessity in all fiscal or legal matters in Spain.

These identification numbers are used to track an individual's financial and official activities in Spain. Spanish citizens have a NIF number (Fiscal Identification Number / Número de Identificación Fiscal) which is their DNI (National Identity Document/ Documento Nacional de Identitidad). The NIE number always starts with "X" and is followed by seven numbers and a letter. Your number is personal to you; it is not transferable nor does it expire.

Obtaining a NIE number is quite easy and should be a priority upon arrival. If you do not feel up to the paperwork, you can pay a local gestor and for approximately 100 euros, they will get it done for you. If you choose this option, you must sign a power of attorney if you will not be present at the time of application.

Your NIE Number is Needed to:

Apply for a business permit

Apply for a mortgage/loan

Buy/sell property in Spain

Buy a vehicle

Employment

Inheritance of assets in Spain

Insure property

Pay taxes

Sign onto the national Social Security health plan

How to Get a NIE:

The application process is straight forward. Go to your local National Police Station, to the Departmento de Extranjeros (Foreigners Department) and ask for the NIE application form or call directory enquiries in English on (+34) 902 955 033 to request the forms to be emailed or posted to you with instructions in English. The following documents must be submitted to the police station to obtain a NIE number:

Completed and signed original application and a photocopy (original returned)

Passport and photocopy

Address in Spain does ( not necessarily have to be permanent)

In order to get the NIE application form you can either:

• Collect it from the police station in Pg. Joan de Borbó 32, 08003, Barceloneta, Barcelona, Tel: 932 240 600
• Download it from the Mir website (www.mir.es).

or go to the main police office.

The police office from which you need to get the NIE in Barcelona is now located at the following address: Calle M. L’Argentera 2-4, Barcelona, near the Estació de França
You need to take with you the following documents:

• Passport or ID (original and photocopy)
• The NIE application form filled in (original and photocopy)
• 2 passport pictures
• The Empadronamiento document (original and photocopy)
• In the NIE application form it also says that you need a job contract or something explaining why you are in Spain. In my experience, as long as you have the Empadronamiento they never ask for a job contract. Instead, even if the NIE application form does not mention it, the Empadronamiento is always required.

health insurance in Barcelona

A friend of mine asked me this question: if I come to Barcelona to live, will I get health insurance.

This is the information I found.

Information on expat health insurance, public and private health care in Spain, as well as and international travel medical and health insurance.

There is free universal health care in Spain. The problem is that to become an insured you have to have a social security number. To get one, you generally have to either work for a company or become self employed (in which case you’ll pay to be part of the system). That said, you can occasionally “beat the system” with luck and persuasion. An American friend of ours arrived to Spain when she was 76 years old, and managed to convince the people at the social security office to give her a number.

If your country of origin has universal health care, then you may be able to get your country to pay Spain to cover you. For the UK, this is the case for those over 60 and for some people who qualify for the invalidity benefit. You will need the appropriate form (E121 or E106).

In some cases, you may want to keep your universal health care provided by your home country if you intend to be back and forth between Spain and home. In this case it would be recommended to purchase additional health or travel insurance from a home-country insurance provider that supplements your universal health care for the duration of your stay in Spain. In Canada, for example, you will need to continue paying for your provincial health care and notify them of your extended absence from the country to ensure continued coverage. This is a requirement of getting private health or travel insurance anyway.

If you have a Certificado de Empadronamiento, you have the right to emergency care in any public hospital. Once any temporary health care from your country runs out, look into contracting Spanish health insurance. Also see Doctors in Spain for more about your empadronamiento, getting your health care card and finding a doctor.