Why Your NIE Application Was Rejected: Common Mistakes for EU Citizens

Getting your NIE as an EU citizen in Spain should be straightforward. You have the legal right to live and work here, and the process is meant to be a formality. Yet people get turned away at the police station every single day — often for completely avoidable reasons.

This guide covers the most common mistakes, explains the difference between forms most people confuse, and gives you a checklist to get it right the first time.

First: Which NIE Are You Actually Applying For?

This is where the confusion starts. There are two different documents that people call "the NIE," and they require different forms and different documentation.

The White NIE (EX-15 Form)

The White NIE is a temporary A4 sheet of paper with your NIE number on it. It's a tax identification number — nothing more. It does not prove residency. You would get this if you need an NIE for a specific transaction (buying property, opening a bank account) but are not moving to Spain permanently.

Form: EX-15 (Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero)

The Green NIE (EX-18 Form)

The Green NIE is your EU Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión). It's a green paper card that proves your legal right to reside in Spain. This is what you need if you're moving to Spain to live and work. EU citizens must obtain this within three months of arrival.

Form: EX-18 (Solicitud de Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión)

The Most Common Rejection Reasons

1. Insufficient Justification

For the White NIE (EX-15), you need a clear reason for requesting the number: a work contract, property purchase agreement, or a letter from a bank confirming they require it. Saying "I want to live in Spain" or "I might need it" is not enough.

For the Green NIE (EX-18), you must prove one of these legal bases under Royal Decree 240/2007:

• You are employed in Spain (bring your work contract)
• You are self-employed (bring your alta censal / Modelo 036 or 037)
• You are a student enrolled in an accredited institution, with health insurance and sufficient funds
• You have sufficient financial resources and comprehensive health insurance
• You are a family member of an EU citizen who meets one of the above

If your documentation doesn't clearly prove one of these, the application will be rejected.

2. Wrong or Unpaid Fee Form (Modelo 790)

You must pay the Modelo 790, Code 012 fee at an authorized Spanish bank before your appointment and bring the stamped receipt. Common mistakes:

• Choosing the wrong fee code (must be 012)
• Entering your name or document number incorrectly on the form — this invalidates the payment
• Forgetting to bring all three copies with the bank's stamp
• Trying to pay at the police station instead of a bank

The fee is approximately €12 (as of 2026).

3. Missing or Expired Documents

The police station will not accept:

• Photocopies without originals, or originals without photocopies — bring both
• An expired passport or national ID card
• Bank statements older than 30 days
• A health insurance policy that isn't active at the time of your appointment

4. No Padrón Registration

For the Green NIE, many offices require you to be registered on the padrón municipal (municipal register) before applying. Ensure you complete this registration at your town hall first.

5. Inadequate Health Insurance

If you're applying based on "sufficient financial resources" (not working), you need comprehensive private health insurance covering Spain. Common insurance-related rejections:

• Using your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) as sole proof — the EHIC covers short stays and emergencies, not ongoing residence
• Submitting travel insurance instead of health insurance
• A policy with geographic restrictions that don't cover Spain
• A policy with coverage limits that are too low

Average cost for qualifying private health insurance: approximately €60/month (2025–2026 figures).

6. Insufficient Financial Proof

If you're not employed or self-employed, you need to prove you have enough money to support yourself. The benchmark is the IPREM: €600/month (€7,200/year) for 2026. Bring recent bank statements showing you meet or exceed this threshold. Each additional family member requires more — typically 25–50% extra, though exact amounts vary by province.

7. Freelancer Documentation Confusion

If you're registering as self-employed (autónomo), you need your alta censal (tax registration via Modelo 036/037). Some people confuse:

• CIF — a company tax ID, used for businesses. This is not what you need as an individual freelancer
• NIF/NIE — your personal tax ID. As a freelancer, this is what you use

If you're already operating, you may also need proof of RETA (social security) registration.

How to Get a Cita Previa

You need an appointment (cita previa) from sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es. Select your province and choose "Certificados UE" for the Green NIE.

Slots fill up fast. Tips:

• New slots in Madrid typically release Monday mornings between 8–9 AM
• Barcelona often releases slots on Thursdays
• Check daily — persistence is the only reliable strategy
• Smaller cities (Girona, Alicante, Málaga province towns) often have appointments available within days

What If You're Rejected?

A rejection is not the end. You have several options:

1. Reapply immediately — fix the errors, gather the missing documents, and book a new appointment. There is no penalty for reapplying
2. Recurso de reposición — a formal administrative appeal, filed within one month of the denial
3. Recurso de alzada — a higher administrative appeal, filed within two months
4. Judicial appeal — available after exhausting administrative appeals, filed within two months of the final administrative decision

In most cases, simply correcting the documentation and rebooking is faster than a formal appeal.

Checklist: Before Your Appointment

Use this checklist to avoid same-day rejection:

• [ ] Correct form: EX-18 for Green NIE, EX-15 for White NIE — filled out digitally, then printed
• [ ] Modelo 790 Code 012 paid at a bank — stamped receipt with all three copies
• [ ] Passport or national ID — original plus photocopy
• [ ] Padrón certificate (for Green NIE)
• [ ] Proof of legal basis: work contract, alta censal, enrollment letter, or bank statements + insurance
• [ ] Health insurance documentation (if not employed) — must cover Spain, must be active
• [ ] Bank statements dated within the last 30 days (if proving financial means)
• [ ] Cita previa confirmation printed
• [ ] A Spanish-speaking friend or interpreter if your Spanish isn't confident

Coming Soon: MiResidencia Digital Platform

Spain is rolling out MiResidencia, a centralized online platform where all residency applications can be filed, paid, and tracked digitally. The first phase launches in Q1 2026, with features including e-signatures, automatic document verification, and real-time status tracking.

Biometric checks and card issuance will still require in-person visits, but the number of required appointments should drop from two or three to one. The government has budgeted €78 million and authorized 1,200 temporary clerks for the transition.

This may significantly improve the process — but for now, the paper-and-appointment system remains the reality.