Hello,

I lived in Spain for a year (2007-8) then left to travel. I want to return in February.

Could anyone tell me if my NIE will still be valid, or will i have to apply for a new one?

Thanks in advance.

Yep, should be valid. It sticks with you like death and taxes. 😊

aldave,
what is your citizenship?
what kind of residency did you have?

Hi guys, thanks for the replies.

I am British, and i worked as Autonomo for 1 year teaching english. Im not sure the difference with the residency cards but i think my NIE was the standard extranjero situation. I paid social security too, and i think as far as they were concerned, i was gonig to continue living out there - i was never told of any restrictions of time limits.

Its just because someone told me recently i’d have to re-apply to Hacienda but im not 100% certain that’s correct.

NIEs are for life in terms of the actual number.

I have heard problems relating to the actual piece of paper - it was hand written on prior to around 2002 - and some notaries have been asking for the modern computer printed type.

A ‘far as I know’ the NIE as stated above is for life…

Whereas, a residency certificate is also valid indefinate (unlike the residency card which had to be renewed every 6 yrs)...
But the onus is on the holder if you leave/want to de-register (I have seen on the form that you can apply for ‘baja’ - i.e deregistration). 

Re your tax situation…. you should just be able to go to the Hacienda again and start up again (presuming you went baja for the duration of your time away).  Likewise, you will be straight back in the Social Security (medical) system once you start paying those contributions too. 

Just be careful you don’t owe any tax for the time you were away .... I.e they think you were were working when you were not!  As they can claim back taxes for 4 years after.

Let us know how you get on?

sj

HI there,

Your NIE is valid forever.

Fruity