If I apply for NIE in London...

It's all covered in my guide:

https://www.costablancaforum.com/area/almorad%C3%AD-spain-11/taxes-suma-nie-tax-advice-in-almorad%C3%AD-25/jims-guide-the-nie-39463/

Say that you want NIEs to open a bank account.

Once NIEs are issued, that's it. Good for residency applications and anything else you need to do.

Thanks Jim :)

We applied for our NIE's via the Embassy and have had no problems with them being accepted.

As someone previously mentioned, once issued, the number remains with you - bit like our NI number unless you apply for residency.

Morning - good to hear.

I think from what's been said even if at a later stage residency is applied for you keep the same NIE, which might be at odds with your view above?

The NIE number is definitely yours for life. When you get a residency certificate or a TIE, the NIE number appears on that. The NIE number also becomes your NIF number once you become fiscally resident. Among other entities that need it, banks need the NIE number for their reports to the tax office of all account holders.

"N.I.E. is only a fiscal number to pay taxes for economic purposes"

Really, news to me!

We applied for our NIE's via the Embassy and have had no problems with them being accepted.

As someone previously mentioned, once issued, the number remains with you - bit like our NI number unless you apply for residency.

Well I think the various responses have covered it.

Went to the London consulate today - for those who do the same in the future be aware that you won't be invited into the consulate until your time slot is called. The Guardia Civil comes out onto the steps and says they are now calling <appointment time> in Spanish. My Spanish is not great and chatting to others in the queue it became apparent that we should just wait. There is a walkthrough metal detector as you enter - I was glad I'd left my little swiss army pen knife at home. There doesn't appear to be any ramps for wheel chairs so if you are a user I would suggest calling ahead or looking at the website.

Once inside you report to a clerk in the main ground floor area, they check you off of the list. Then upto second floor, there is a lift if you need one, into an office when called. Your printed papers which you take with you are stamped and signed by you. Down to the first floor for payment to be made. NIE's to be issued within 3 weeks from Madrid.

Everyone in there seemed really helpful.

You no longer need to take a stamped addressed envelope as NIE's are sent via email.

We feel as if we are inching along a road :)

Thanks to Jim Taylor for his guide.