Opening a bank account

As far as I'm aware, it's virtually impossible to do anything without an NIE.  If my memory serves me right then opening a bank account certainly falls into this category.

The only other thing I would suggest is that you get a waggle on.

Jimbo

Thank Jimbo. It’s all in hand but wondered if it would be possible to do stuff in a different order.

We first purchased property in Spain 25 years ago and back then you didn't need an NIE. I didn't get one. Our bank account was frozen 18 months ago and no utilities etc were paid and nearly all disconnected. Nightmare trying to get everything back on after making an appointment in the Spanish Embassy (Dublin) which took three weeks to get an appointment and a further few weeks for delivery of our NIE. 

Get your NIE before you do  anything else. You heard it here first.

No, don’t need NIE for bank account.  You can open a non-residents account with your passport - certainly can with Sabadell, because I did!!

Once you get your Residencia, which gives you your NIE, you can then swap it to a residents account which gives access to more products.

I’m afraid you’ve been duped.  You only need NIE ahead of residence if you are making a major purchase such as house or car, other than that, NIE will be issued at time of residency application.  As per previous post, non-residents account can be opened with passport.

They’ll now relieve you of ANOTHER 100€ odd each (Residencia application always more expensive than NIE) to process your Residencia applications when you get here which would have given you the NIE anyway. (Have to be in the country to apply for Residencia)

Thanks for the replies everyone. We’ll go for the non resident account and get NIE with residencia later. 👍

Then that’s why you got it - it’s necessary for major purchase, but not necessary if you are moving over, renting and wanting to open a bank account etc.

Like I said, if you want to make a major purchase, you’ll need a NIE, otherwise not.

That’s fabulous; however, I am merely trying to give context to your earlier assertion of “Hi, yes you definately do need a NIE number” for anyone else following the thread.  Your statement there is not wholly accurate - you only need one IF making a major purchase, not in all cases.

I don't often give advice twice to people who don't listen. You need an NIE number now.