​Can you apply for the NIE number online?

Recently Spain has added a lot of immigration services that could be processed online. An often asked question is if the NIE number* (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) could also be obtained online? The answer for the moment is, no.
The immigration services that are offered online, generally consist only of the services provided by the Foreigners Office (Extranjería). NIE is issued by the Police station (Comisaría) and requires as a general rule a presential and personal identification process. However, if the intention is to apply for a residence permit or similar online, one could start by applying the NIE in one’s home country at the Spanish Embassy or the police station in Spain and then continue with the services offered online. But when applying for the residence permit online, the person has to be physically in Spain.

Spain is constantly adding services, that could be processed online, so hopefully, soon, the identification process for NIE could also be done online. 

*NIE: NIE number is the identification number in Spain for those who are not a Spanish citizen. It is the counterpart to a DNI for Spanish citizens. Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens can obtain an NIE.