§1EU, EEA and Swiss new hires
An offer letter or a contract is a solid reason for a NIE. If you are moving for good, aim directly for the registration certificate: one appointment gives you the number and registers your residence, with the contract as proof.
§2Non-EU new hires
The work authorisation comes first. The route, whether a highly qualified profile, an intra-company transfer or an ordinary work permit, is settled before you travel, and the NIE is assigned with it. In Barcelona you then book the fingerprints for your TIE.
§3What HR usually asks you for
- Your NIE, on its certificate or card
- Your social security number (número de afiliación), which you or the employer can request
- A Spanish bank account for your salary
- Your address in Barcelona, and later your padró certificate
Questions on this entry
Can I sign the contract before I have the NIE?
Often, yes, and the signed contract then serves as the reason for the number. The social security registration, though, cannot be done without it.
Who requests my social security number?
You or your employer can request it from the social security administration. It stays the same for life, like the NIE.
My start date is close and no appointment is free. What now?
Tell your employer early. A complete file ready in advance, openness to offices across the province and regular checks for released slots are the realistic levers.