NIE and digital certificate:what you need before you can file.
Updated 12 November 2026 · 2 minute read
The short answer
Every owner needs a NIE, the Spanish identification number for foreigners. A digital certificate is optional: it lets you file online yourself. Without one, a gestor files for you.
What is a NIE?
The NIE is the tax identification number Spain gives to foreigners. You need it to buy a home, open a bank account, pay IBI and file Modelo 210. You received one when you bought the property.
Each owner has their own. The number itself does not expire, even if the paper certificate looks old.
What is a digital certificate?
A digital certificate is an electronic ID installed on your computer or phone. It lets you sign in to the Spanish tax office’s website and file returns yourself. An alternative with the same purpose is Cl@ve, Spain’s login system.
Do you need a digital certificate to file?
No. There are three ways to file Modelo 210:
- Online yourself, with a digital certificate or Cl@ve.
- Through a gestor, who files with their own professional access.
- By filling in the form online, printing it and paying at a Spanish bank.
How do you get a digital certificate from abroad?
You request it online and then confirm your identity in person, at a Spanish consulate or an office in Spain. Plan a few weeks for it.
Questions
I lost my NIE certificate. Do I need a new number?
No. The number stays yours. You can request a new copy of the certificate.
Does my partner need a NIE too?
Yes, if they own part of the home. Each owner files under their own NIE.
Is a NIE the same as residency?
No. A NIE is only a number. It gives no right to live in Spain.
Each owner’s details,kept with the home.
Casatax keeps your income, costs and bookings in one place, and prepares your Spanish return. Your gestor files it.
Join waiting listThis is general information, not tax advice. Rules and dates change, so check your own situation with your gestor.