Yes. A NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a tax identification number required for any property purchase, tax payment, utility contract, or bank account in Spain — it's one of the first things you'll need regardless of nationality or residency status.
You can apply in person at a Spanish police station (Comisaría), through a Spanish consulate in your home country, or via a Power of Attorney if you can't travel before completion. Processing typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on location and demand.
Separately, Spanish banks and notaries are required to carry out KYC (Know Your Customer) checks before opening an account or completing a purchase — this means providing proof of identity, proof of address, and a declared source of funds, in line with Spain's anti-money-laundering regulations. Having these documents ready in advance (passport, recent utility bill or bank statement, and documentation showing where your funds originate) helps avoid delays at the bank or notary stage.
We guide clients through both the NIE application and KYC documentation as part of our service, and can recommend lawyers who handle this on your behalf via Power of Attorney if needed.