GETTING NIE NUMBER AND BANK ACCOUNT - Page 3

'Can I open a bank account without a NIE?' "Yes", depending on the type of bank you are able to open a bank account without. Some of the banks that offer this possibility LaCaisa, Bankinter, Santander and Sabadell.  However, you need a NIE in many circumstances in Spain. NIE isn't necessary to sign the pre-purchase contract 'but you do need it when you sign the title deeds & paying any kind of taxes including your property tax.  

https://housinganywhere.com/Spain/open-spanish-bank-account

Hi Karen,

We found it best to go through a lawyer who can apply for NIE, arrange for POA and a notary. However, there is no need for POA if you can be there to sign the papers. We had a very good lawyer in Manilva. If interested I can provide you the name. To open a bank account you need NIE, passport and address in Spain.

Hello,

Thank you for letting me know, we are in the throws of sending over POA using Notary in UK.  

Now deciding what bank as Banco Santander charge around euros 10 per month, so we may use Starling Euro account or Revolut Euro, but I appreciate all the recommendations and advice.

Kind regards

Karen

Hi Karen,

It is a good idea to use Starling Bank. We are thinking of doing that as well. In fact, Santander is now charging Euro 16 per month after the Brexit and not very helpful at all.

Wow I’m glad I’m not the only one who is dealing with incompetent lawyers! Never known anything like it 

You dont even have to contact the Spanish Embassy here, your lawyer can also get you your NIE number. You just need to point him/her as your power of attorney and send them the correct info that they require, they will do the rest.

Good luck 

Hello,

Well I have just returned from Spain and POA with Lawyer now so shouldn't be long before we get our NIE number sorted.  I went to two banks in Sabinillas both wanted euros 20 per month unless you have household insurance with them and then they can reduce the charges.

I work in Finance and those charges are too much, so we awaiting an answer from our lawyer to see if we can use the Starling Euro account that doesn't charge any fees.  The only issue is that our property will be in joint names, but Starling do not do joint accounts, so waiting to hear if we can pay the direct debits which will be in both our names from my husband's Starling Euro account.

Hopefully it will be ok :-)

I thought posted before N26 the best option. Used them for over 18 months brillaint. 

https://n26.com/en-es/shared-spaces-bank-account

Hi Karen,

Interesting as a Sabadell we have joint account and no insurance with them, but no charges either. We had some small charges until we went to their Expansion Account. I think we may have to pay a regular sum in each month, but then we need to do this anyway to pay bills.

Hi Trevor,

That is good to hear, I will look at the Sabadell joint account.  Our estate agent has checked with the lawyer and although the property will be in both of our names, the utilility bills will only be in one name so the Starling Euro account in my husband's name should be sufficient.

I will also look at N26 bank and so I have looked at all options.  I did consider Revolut but when I called them I didn't really get anywhere, so I have counted that one out.

But thank you for your advice.

Kind regards

Karen