NIE

Wow - that's expensive. If you are in Spain you can do this free of charge at a National Police Station. If you are still in the UK you can apply at some Spanish Consulates. This link may be helpful:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/Manchester/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/NIE.aspx

Thank you for the response John. Very much appreciated. I thought it was expensive too. I will follow up on the link that you have posted. Thanks again! 

Here's a couple of more links that you might find helpful:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/NIE.aspx

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/Information-consular-services/Paginas/NIE.aspx

Very helpful. Thank you again 

Hi

How were you able to buy a home without an NIE, I know your partner as one, but you should have one we bought in 2004 and we went to Cartagena Police Station for our NIE numbers 

Hi Gloria the house is solely in my partners name so therefore I didn’t need an NIE number. However I know need to sort my own bank account out in Spain so I need to apply for mine 

Hi Nic 

You don't need a Spanish bank account, unless you want a loan. There are many people on this forum who use https://wise.com/ instead. They offer the very best exchange rates with minimal fees, and support direct debits. The only slight drawback is charges at ATMs, which can be avoided by using your card instead of cash for purchases.

It's quick and easy to register with them online.

Cheers 

Steve 

Hi

 I'm not sure when Wise started to be used, but since 2003 we have had a Spanish bank account, the banks have changed over the years , we are with Caixabank, and they charge €35 every three month, it was €14 a month before last year, I have read that a lots of people have gone to wise. 

We lived in Santa Pola originally, quoted €500 from a solicitor but used a Gestor in Ciudad Quesada to get my partner's NIE for €50. Helped with paperwork, appointment, came with him to Orihuela police station, translated and got us over hump of them saying he needed a Spanish bank account, which we were only in the process of getting. Won't recommend them personally, as one of them was the most unpleasant and rude little english men we've ever met, and I say that as an english man, and operation all felt a bit Delboy like, cash only payment at the last minute, but did get the job and sure plenty of other Gestors out there are pleasanter to deal with. My family residency card, through marriage, was a lot more complicated, as UK citizen,  but had a fantastic english speaking Gestor in Alicante city that sorted that out for €250, who I'd  happily recommend. Best of luck.