NIE in Elche 2026: Appointment, Fee and Police Station Location

NIE in Elche: the procedure that keeps Alicante province’s third city moving

Elche is home to more than 32,000 foreign residents, around 13.4% of its population, and is the third-largest city in Alicante province by number of migrant residents. The reasons are structural: the footwear, textile and agri-food industries, a well-established Chinese community in wholesale trade, and Miguel Hernández University, which attracts international students every year. Whatever your situation, the first administrative step is usually the same: the NIE.

In this guide, we explain how to apply for it at the National Police Station in Elche in 2026: where it is, how to book an appointment, which documents to bring, how much it costs and how to avoid the mistakes that can make you lose your appointment. It also applies if you live in Aspe, Crevillent, Santa Pola or Torrellano: this is your reference office.

Why Elche has such high demand for immigration procedures

Elche is one of south-eastern Spain’s main migrant hubs. The largest foreign communities are from Morocco, Colombia, Romania, China and Venezuela, reflecting the city’s two economic realities: the footwear industry, with a long tradition of North African and Latin American workers, and wholesale trade, with the Chinese business network centred around the Carrús industrial estate and the N-340 road.

Alicante province as a whole has the highest percentage of foreign residents in Spain at 23.3%, and Elche is one of the municipalities that most contributes to that figure. This explains why the local Police Station handles a high volume of procedures and why getting an appointment may require some patience.

Where the Elche immigration Police Station is located

Address: Calle Abeto (Carrer l’Avet), 1 — 03203 Elche (Alicante).
Appointment phone number: 901 10 65 70 (official line for immigration appointments).
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, mornings only, usually from 9:00 to 14:00. Confirm when booking your appointment.
Immigration procedures: NIE allocation, TIE card issuance, EU citizen registration certificates, return authorisations, invitation letters and nationality reports.

The office covers the city of Elche and its natural catchment area: Aspe, Crevillent, Santa Pola, Torrellano, El Altet and the rural districts of the Camp d’Elx.

How to book your NIE appointment

An appointment is mandatory and must be booked through the Public Administration Electronic Office. Steps:

Go to the website and select province: Alicante.
Choose the procedure: «Asignación de NIE».
Select the office: «Elche — Policía Nacional».
Enter your passport details exactly as they appear.
Choose a date and time. If there is no availability, try again early in the morning: cancellations often release new slots.
Save and print the appointment confirmation.

Real waiting time (May-June 2026): in Elche, appointments usually open 3 to 5 weeks in advance. During peak agricultural seasons, including citrus fruit, pomegranate and Camp d’Elx dates, or at the start of the academic year at UMH, the wait can reach 6-8 weeks. If your procedure is urgent, consider the Police Station in Alicante city or the Orihuela office as alternatives.

Documents you need to bring

Originals plus one photocopy of each document:

EX-15 form completed and signed.
Valid passport (original plus full copy).
Proof of economic, professional or social reasons: employment contract, for example in a footwear factory, wholesale trade, auxiliary industry or hospitality, job offer, property purchase deed, long-term rental contract, enrolment at UMH or another training centre.
Paid form 790 code 012.
If a gestor or lawyer represents you: notarial power of attorney and the representative’s DNI/NIE.

📌 Footwear factory and trade workers: make sure the contract is signed by someone with legal authority to represent the company and that it states your role, employment period and Social Security reference. Supporting documents with only a company stamp and no signature are rejected.

The 790-012 fee: how much it costs and where to pay it

NIE allocation: approx. 9.84 €.
Initial TIE card (temporary residence): 16.08 €.
Long-term TIE card: 21.87 €.

Download, complete and pay the form through the National Police Electronic Office. Payment can be made at a partner bank, such as BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank, Sabadell or Caixa Popular, or via online banking. Keep the stamped payment receipt.

⚠️ Do not download the form from unofficial websites: the barcode may be invalid and your payment could be rejected.

How to get to the Elche Police Station

By city bus: the nearest stop is C.P. El Palmerar. Lines D, E and K2 stop there, as do intercity lines 255A and 255B, which connect with Alicante and Santa Pola.
By train: from Elche-Parque station, it is about a 20-minute walk, or you can take a bus for the final stretch. Elche-Carrús station is also within reasonable distance.
By car: central Elche is heavily pedestrianised and most nearby streets are regulated paid parking areas. We recommend parking in one of the public car parks in the city centre and walking the final 10-15 minutes. From the A-7 / AP-7, follow signs for Elche Centro and connect with the ring road.
From Aspe, Crevillent or Santa Pola: intercity bus lines connect with Elche bus station, around a 15-minute walk from the Police Station.
By tram: the Alicante TRAM does not reach Elche, but it does connect Alicante city centre with Sant Joan, Benidorm and Dénia. If you are coming from the northern part of the province, take the TRAM to Alicante and then continue by intercity bus or RENFE commuter train to Elche.

On the day of your appointment: what to expect

The counter appointment usually takes 15-25 minutes. The officer checks the EX-15 form, passport, proof of reasons and paid fee. If everything is correct, you will receive the receipt showing your assigned NIE number. With that document, you can register on the municipal census, open a bank account, sign contracts and set up utilities.

The final physical certificate is either issued on the spot or collected 1-2 weeks later at the same Police Station.

Common mistakes in Elche that make you come back another day

EX-15 details that do not match the passport, including accents, second surnames, or transliteration from Arabic, simplified Chinese or Cyrillic. This is the number one reason for rejection.
Fee paid using a form downloaded from an unofficial website.
Incomplete employment proof: the responsible person’s signature is often missing from footwear and wholesale trade contracts.
Outdated or inconsistent municipal registration, for example if you registered in Crevillent but have been living in Elche for months.
Arriving late: after 10 minutes, you lose the appointment.

And after the NIE... what comes next in Elche?

Once you have your NIE, continue with these three procedures:

Choose the right neighbourhood before registering your address. If you have not yet decided where to live, check real data neighbourhood by neighbourhood. [Guide to municipal registration in Elche and the surrounding area]
SIP health card from the Valencian Community health authority, once you are registered with Social Security. [How to apply for the SIP card in Elche step by step]
Private health insurance: essential while you are waiting for the SIP card, and highly recommended if you live in areas with healthcare pressure caused by tourism in Santa Pola or Torrevieja. [Compare health insurance for foreigners in Spain]

🏘️ Still not sure which area of Elche to live in?

Before registering your address, check real data for any address in Elche: average income, safety, noise, green areas, demographics and services. MiraTuZona lets you enter the exact address you are considering and returns a full report by census section.

Check my area →

If you need health insurance while applying for your NIE

Many banks, administrative agencies or municipal registration processes ask you for private healthcare cover before you can access the public system. If this applies to you, at Health4Spain we can guide you, with no obligation, on which policy best fits your situation in Elche.

Request information →

Frequently asked questions about the NIE in Elche

Can I apply for the NIE in Elche if I live in Aspe, Crevillent or Santa Pola?
Yes. Elche covers the whole Baix Vinalopó area and nearby municipalities. You do not need to live in the city of Elche itself.

Is there Arabic, Chinese or French translation at the Police Station?
Not officially. If your Spanish level is limited, you can attend with an interpreter or representative. ASTI Alicante, Caritas and the local network of footwear-sector associations can help with the paperwork free of charge.

I am a UMH student. Do I need the NIE?
Yes, if you are staying for more than three months. University enrolment is accepted as a social reason.

Is it better to book an appointment in Alicante or in Elche?
If you live in Elche or the surrounding area, the local Police Station is the most convenient option. If Elche is fully booked, Alicante city centre or Orihuela are valid alternatives.

What if I am an EU citizen?
You need a NIE plus an EU Citizen Registration Certificate if you are going to live in Spain for more than 3 months. It is processed at the same office.

Conclusion

The National Police Station in Elche is the entry point into the system for thousands of foreign residents who arrive each year in the footwear city and its surrounding area. With your documents properly prepared and an appointment booked 3-4 weeks in advance, the procedure can be completed in a single visit. After that, municipal registration, the SIP health card and health insurance will help you start your life in Spain on the right footing.