collecting NIE

No.  NIE, once issued, is valid for life.  The document itself is only valid 3 months because after that you should have Residencia anyway; but you should be able to attend on your return and collect your NIE - although how long are you away for?

I applied for my NIE at La Oficina De Extranjeros on 27 March and was told that it should be ready for collection on either the Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of the following week - 3rd 4th and 5th April.  I have return flights booked for 27 May but I won't be able to attend La Oficina De Extranjeros until 28th May as they will be closed by time of my arrival  on 27th May.  I'd hate to miss out on collecting my NIE as I spent hours in the local library downloading the forms, translating them as I don't speak Spanish, completing them  and of course correcting my mistakes and then printing them out. Phew!

Kathy

28th May I guess would be fine because it’s still within the validity period of the document

I don't think that I have to make another appointment, from what I understood when I was to collect my NIE, I didn't need an appointment.  

Kathy

I must admit I don’t recall - the only things I’ve collected are Residencia cards and you most definitely need an appointment for that.

Thinking about how Almería works, I think you would need an appointment because you have to collect it from one of the desks, and you can’t get to the desks without a ticket ..... and you can’t get a ticket without booking an appointment

That seems more sensible.  I'll try to make an appointment with their office from the Internet site that I had made it before.  From what I remember I made the appointment online, but the site would not let me make it for 27th March until the end of February.

Kathy

Yes that’s correct - appointments can only be made up to one month in advance, so end of April use that site to make an appointment 

Thanks a lot.  Next plan is application for Residenica.

Kathy

Ah yes - that will be an important step - whatever your views on the “B” word, from your point of view it will be easier to attain Residencia whilst UK remains part of EU; like everyone, no idea what’s actually going to occur there, but for the sake of your sanity I hope you get Residencia before the “B” word occurs.  It looks like it will get significantly more difficult after that.

Irrespective of what happens, Residencia is paperwork an order of magnitude above the EX-15 NIE application and I would strongly recommend you get a Gestor / Asesora / Agency to assist you.  There are plenty about and I know C.A.T Services in La Alfoquia is English speaking and dedicated to assisting expats.  I am not endorsing them, only mentioning that they exist :-D - I have never used their services so cannot comment on them.