Would getting an NIE number help? - Page 2

Obtaining an NIE will be not be necessary until you want to make purchases such as the ones mentioned by Cheryl above but if you definitely know that you will be making any purchases such as these either this year or next, you might as well get an NIE sorted as soon as is convenient. It will be one thing done out of the way.

Kush

The 90 day rule has always been there it's just that before the crass stupidity of Brexit upset the apple cart nobody took the blindest bit of notice of it. 

After Dec 31st. when UK citizens become 3rd country nationals you will be checked in and out so will have no option but to observe it.

I’m not totally convinced that they will check. Maybe at first, but let’s be honest, the Spanish are hardly‘Johnny on the button” when it comes to this kinda thing.

Who knows 🤷‍♂️

Everything is being put in place to log in and out your passport automatically whichever way you enter the EU. Spanish authorities will have little to do with it but don't underestimate them.

Steve 

Last time I arrived at Alicante they had a good check of my passport. I suspect that after Brexit many Brits may get caught out by this ruling either through ignorance of the ruling or feigning ignorance of the ruling. Far better to not chance it as nobody wants you to end up becoming an illegal immigrant.

Luckily enough, being allowed to stay 90 days in a rolling 180 day period would be more than sufficient for me. It is after all, what the rules are at present. 

You will need an NIE number to buy property 

Third country nationals are already monitored, and the 90 days in and 180 is taken seriously with fines for overstaying but it is also possible to issue a ban on returning for a certain length of time.  As EU nationals we have been privileged with no real checks, which has meant people have overstayed without any consequences.  ETIAS comes into operation towards the end of 2021 or early 2022 so that will ensure checks on all non-schengen country nationals entering the schengen area as well.  The days of overstaying or visiting too frequently are coming to an end.

Going back to the original post, NIE's can be applied for while in the UK via the Spanish consulate in London or Edinburgh, initially on line and then with an appointment for verification.  NIE's are required to open a Spanish bank account, purchase a house or anything that requires a contract.  They do not confer any special rights on the holder - except the ability to pay your Spanish taxes!

As others have said, residencia (or rather TIE as non-EU nationals) is only available to those who relocate to Spain and you must firtst qualify under the requirements for income and health insurance.

To buy a property you have to have an NIE number for fiscal purposes.