PROPERTY SEARCH

Date Published: 18/01/2022

ARCHIVED - Expats are furious about a lack of NIE appointments in Denia

The Marina Alta Business Circle (Cedma) is calling on the Valencia regional government to address a backlog of NIE applications

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Expats are furious about a lack of NIE appointments in Denia

Representatives of the Marina Alta Business Circle (Cedma) have met with the sub-delegate of the government in the province of Alicante, Araceli Poblador, to address delays in applications for NIEs and other immigration documents for expats due to the limited availability of appointments in Denia.

The official documentation is crucial for foreign investments, the purchase of real estate and any other administrative or legal act, and is a form of identification, which everyone in Spain is required to carry on them at all times.

But in order to process NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero or Foreigner’s Identity Number) applications, an appointment must be made at an Immigration Office or police station.

And therein lies the problem, according to Cedma, which claims that getting an appointment is practically a "mission impossible" in Denia, and on occasions, applicants are having to go to Elche, Orihuela or Alcoy to process applications, "which is not acceptable".

See also: How to get your NIE in Spain

And the business association fears that this crucial obstacle is preventing foreign investment in the Marina Alta.

Prior to the pandemic, a shock plan was designed by the regional government that proposed an increase in staff and extension of opening hours at state administrative electronic offices, but it was not implemented in Denia due to the health crisis.

However, according to the province sub-delegation, 30,400 NIEs were processed in Alicante province during 2021, an increase of 27.7% compared to 2020. This means the province has the third highest number of registered foreigners in Spain.

During last week's meeting, the government's sub-delegate argued that one of the reasons for delays in processing NIEs is that "between 13 and 17% of applicants make an appointment electronically and don't turn up or bother to cancel them".

A number of proposals were put forward to remedy this problem, including blocking numerous appointments at different offices by the same applicant, and extending office opening hours, as was put forward before.

A further meeting will be held in Denia in two months time to monitor progress in the implementation of new measures.

Image: Archive

Like this article?

Get more like this delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin to get a comprehensive email with all the week’s news for Spain, Murcia, Alicante and Andalucía.

>>>ESSENTIAL WEEKEND READING<<<

Special offer: Subscribe now for 50% off (24.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)

Don’t know what we’re talking about? Take a look at our recent Subscription Bulletins to remind you what our Roundup is all about.

Take advantage of our 50% Discount Special Offer subscription at 24.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins, so approximately 50 cents a week.

Special offer 50% discount 12 months 48 Bulletins
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.

List price 12 months 48 Bulletins
List price 3 months 12 Bulletins