A NEW LAW has been enacted in November 2006 - Law 36/2006 dated 29th November. From 1st December no property purchase can be registered in the land Registry office without the NIE of all the parties concerned in a property transaction.

A NEW LAW has been enacted in November 2006 - Law 36/2006 dated 29th November. From 1st December no property purchase can be registered in the land Registry office without the NIE of all the parties concerned in a property transaction.

In Spain everybody is assigned a Tax Identification Number, which must appear on all tax returns and in all communications with the Tax Authorities. In general, for people with Spanish nationality, the NIF is the number of their National Identity Card (DNI); for people without Spanish nationality, the NIF is their Foreign National’s Identity Number (NIE), which is obtained from the Dirección General de la Policía (Police General Directorate). However, foreign nationals who are not obliged to have an identification number may request a NIF from the Tax Authorities.

As stated above this new requirement it does not mean that you cannot buy property without an NIE number BUT, it is essential to get your Title Deed registred in The Land Registry Office.
The situation may be more complicated if you are planning to finace the purchase ith a mortgage

You must keep in mind that from December 2006, all major Spanish BANKS are reluctant to sign mortgage deeds without NIE numbers. If you are planning to buy property you must carry out all the necessary arrangements to lodge your NIE application before agreeing an specific date for completion.