a bit confused with the NIE number

[dreamer87]

I am a bit confused with getting a NIE number in Madrid. I find horror stories online which say that it takes forever to get the number and appointment for it. While others say that you can get it the same day.

My situation is this.
I have a german passport and want to move to Madrid to teach. I am going to Madrid next week for interviews and would like to start the application for a NIE number. Can I go and apply as a walk-in or do I definitely need an appointment?

Also I don't have a apartment and a Spanish cell phone yet. Can I even get either one of those without a NIE number? Do I need both to apply?

How long should it take to get a NIE number?

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[ajnabiyya]

You should be able to get an apartment without an NIE - some agencies do ask for the NIE but many apartments are rented directly by landlords who don't require it. There are tons of students and auxiliares de conversación looking for, and finding, housing right now without having their NIEs yet.


You will probably need an NIE to get a contract cell phone but probably not to get a pay-as-you-go cell phone. I called to make my NIE appointment last week and the appointment they gave me isn't until May, but I'm American - the process may be faster for EU citizens like yourself. Good luck!

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