How to get an NIE in Valencia

After putting off going to the Police Office for last week to attempt to get my NIE, I finally plucked up the courage today and went.

I found this whole task completely daunting at first so to try and find some information, I went on web page after web page and posted on the Language Assistant page on Facebook and was horrified with the results and other people's experiences. After hours of searching, I was convinced I would never get an NIE and the process would be confusing and daunting for someone who has only been learning Spanish for 2 years.

Despite at first going to the wrong building, in the completely wrong area of the city, I came away with the EX-15 form that you needed to fill in. A week later I braved going back to the Police Office and got there at 8.50 am where the queue was already fairly long. I was number 36 and although I waited for 2 hours to be seen, it didn't seem that long. When it was nearing my turn, the Police Officer on the door called the numbers 34-39 and we went into a little waiting room, next to the room where 2 officials were working, despite there being 4 desks. When number 34 was called, my heart started racing. The nerves kicked in and I felt 10 times worse than when I sat my oral exams.

When my number got called, I went into the room and asked for the NIE and gave the woman behind the desk my form plus a copy. After the woman had asked ''¿Para Qué?'' four or five times before I remembered what it actually meant, I told her I was going to be working and gave her my Nombramiento. She filled out the forms and entered my details into a computer and then told me (in English) that I needed to go to a bank and pay the fee which was 9,39 Euros and that I could return in a week and pick it up.

The whole process took less than 10 minutes and was fairly straightforward once I was in the office. I just hope it will be the same when I return next week.


How to get your NIE in Valencia:

1. Fill in the EX-15 form which you can print off here: http://valencia.angloinfo.com/information/moving/residency/nie-the-application/ 
2. Make sure you fill out the form in black ink in capitals and get a photocopy. 
3. Go to the Comisaira Valencia C/ Bailen, 9 Valencia with the form and make sure you get there early to be at the front of the line. 
4. Once you have seen an Officer, go to any bank and pay the fee. 

Things you will need:

1. Your Ex-15 form and a photocopy
2. Your Nombramiento to prove why you need the NIE
3. Your passport
4. A photocopy of your passport
5. 10 euros to go to the bank and pay the fee
6. Patience