I hope someone can help me fast.

We have clients who are buying a property. The deposit was paid 6 months ago. The delay in completing the sale is that they applied for their NIE numbers in South Africa, and guess what?......................they haven’t arrived yet!

The clients are actually Romanian, but have lived in SA for almost 20 years, and we assumed that they still held Romanian citizenship.

I received an email from them this morning saying that they will land in Spain on Tuesday, and they will go to apply for their numbers here as it only takes 3 days from start to finish in our area (if everything is straighforward)

They scanned all their documents to me, and the passports are South African (which they never mentioned before)

They are expecting to land on Tuesday, apply for the NIE numbers on Wednesday, pick them up on Friday, and complete the sale next Monday or Tuesday!    All of which is possible for EU members.

Does anyone know what we can do to achieve this?

I would hate for them to come all this way on a wild goose chase, it’s not like jumping on a 20 Euro Ryanair flight.

Any information will be gratefully accepted.

Jools

1) Prepear all forms to apply for NIE. You can even fill them up and then ask your clients just to sign it.
2) Make appointmnet in police office in advance, so they can go there as soon as they arrive

I think you cant do anth on your own, they have to come themselves to the police to apply for NIE. Another option - to find a mediator, a company that deals with these matters (they would go to police instead of you and arrange your paperwork for some payment). In our town in the police office we have announcements, offering such deals.

Also call police, department of foreigners, where they will tell you all details. If you have time you may even visit office yourself to ask about matter.

Many thanks for your reply and suggestions.

We have been trying to call the Police in 3 different cities for 3 days now, without an answer. So we are just going with the client tomorrow morning and hope for the best.

Jools

Jools, for ANY extranjeria you need either to take a ticket or have an appointment. Also, check if certificate of empadronamiento is needed. I dont remember now, but here in forum and in internet you can find this info. So, if empadronamiento is in the list of the documents, they firstly must go to the town hall. Since you cant reach police by the phone why dont you go there to find out the rules - either you have to pick up ticket or make an appointment. In our town you have to come in evening at 7 o?clock to pick up your number for following morning. In order not to waste time while your clients will be here, I would suggest to find out all information in advance.Good luck, let me know how it went

you need two know what passport that hold frist befor you do any think

Thanks guys, panic over!

My client arrived yesterday and was waiting at Tortosa Police Dept from 6am today.

He got his NIE number, without all the additional documents that the Spanish Consulate in South Africa said he needed, and was outside waiting for my Spanish business partner when she arrived ready to do battle with the guy on the desk, (we’ve had experience of him before)

It just goes to show that yet again, the Spanish ‘right hand of the red tape machine, doesn’t know what the left hand is doing’

This poor guy has been waiting almost 6 months for his number to arrive in South Africa, and almost lost his deposit on his property because the owner was getting impatient.

Happy ending for once, thanks everyone.
Jools

Cool! congrats!