Choose your NS&I online route first
Choose the route that matches your account status before entering any details. If you have used NS&I online services before, sign in or recover access. Do not register again.
The real problem is not the login screen. It is choosing the wrong route and creating a second registration attempt.
Start at the official NS&I website. Check that the web address is correct before entering personal details.
Register only if you are new online
Register only if you hold an eligible NS&I product but have never created an online profile. Have your NS&I number or holder number ready. You also need your name, date of birth and current contact details.
Enter each detail exactly as NS&I holds it. A recent house move can cause a mismatch. The most common mistake here is entering a shortened name instead of the recorded name.
Set aside between 10 and 20 minutes for registration. This can take longer if your contact details need checking.
Recover details if you registered before
Recover access if you registered before and have forgotten a password, number or security detail. Choose password recovery when you know your NS&I number. Choose number recovery when you do not know it.
Use official access recovery if you cannot receive verification codes. Do not open a new online profile for an existing holding.
This route prevents duplicate records and further delays.
Use this route:
Never registered online: choose register.
Know your NS&I number but not your password: choose password recovery.
Lost your NS&I number: choose number recovery.
Changed mobile or cannot receive a code: use the official access recovery route.
Choose the correct NS&I access route
New online user
Register
Know your number
Reset password
Lost your number
Recover number
Old phone or no code
Recover access
Choose recovery when you have registered before. The next step is to check whether your product supports the task you need.
⚠️ Do not register again if you have ever had NS&I online access. Use a recovery route instead.
Check what your NS&I product allows online
Check the product before requesting money or a change, because NS&I accounts offer different online options. Your product rules decide what you can do with that holding.
A Premium Bond holding is not a daily bank account. An ISA transfer also follows a different route from a normal withdrawal.
The error most people make is assuming every visible balance can be moved online. Check the available action on your account screen before you start.
Match the product to the task
Use the table to find the usual online route before starting. It also shows what to do when the online option is missing.
| Product | Typical online actions | What you need | Alternative if unavailable |
|---|
| Premium Bonds | View holdings, buy Bonds, check prizes, cash in eligible Bonds | NS&I login and a verified nominated bank account | Use NS&I's product-specific form or contact route |
| Direct Saver or Income Bonds | View balance, manage payments, make eligible withdrawals | Online access and current bank details | Follow the product's official service instructions |
| NS&I Direct ISA (a Cash ISA) | View balance and manage eligible instructions | Online access; transfers may need a formal process | Ask the receiving provider to start an ISA transfer |
| Older, inherited or special-case products | Some information may be visible, but options can be limited | Product and holder details must match NS&I records | Use the stated form, bereavement or legal-support channel |
Treat premium bonds differently
Manage Premium Bonds as savings entries, not as a bank account for daily spending. You can usually buy Bonds, check prizes and cash in eligible holdings online. Cashing in needs an accepted nominated bank account.
Check the amount and destination account before you confirm. On-screen options can differ between products and account circumstances.
A usual case is a holder who sees no cash-in button. Their nominated bank account may need checking first.
Keep ISA transfers separate
Start an ISA transfer through the provider receiving the money. Do not cash out and pay the money in yourself.
A withdrawal is not automatically an ISA transfer. It may affect the tax treatment of future payments.
For an NS&I Direct ISA, ask the receiving provider to start its Cash ISA transfer process. This is the correct route when moving ISA savings.
If an option is missing, follow NS&I's stated form or contact route. Knowing this now avoids sending money by the wrong method.
⚠️ Do not withdraw an NS&I Direct ISA yourself when you want an ISA transfer. Ask the receiving provider to start it.
Fix login and two-step verification safely
Stop repeated attempts and identify whether the problem is your password, NS&I number, phone or verification code. Use the matching recovery route instead of trying many devices.
Repeated failed attempts can make access harder. Work through one check at a time.
The quickest route is often password recovery. The correct route depends on which detail is missing.
Check the failed login in order
Check your NS&I number first, then your password, before using recovery. Type both details from your records. Browser autofill may hold an old password.
If the details look correct, stop trying. Then choose NS&I password recovery or number recovery.
Try the official site in an up-to-date browser. You can also check on another trusted device or connection.
Restore access to your registered phone
Use official recovery help when a code goes to an old phone or no code arrives. Check that your registered mobile number is current. Also check that your phone can receive messages.
Do not ask a former number-holder to pass on a code. That code is part of your account security.
Do not request a new registration for an existing profile. This is a common delay when a mobile number has changed.
Protect every security detail
Keep passwords and one-time codes private, even if a caller says they are from NS&I. Type the NS&I web address yourself. You can also use a saved official bookmark.
- Never share a password, security answer or two-step verification code.
- Ignore login links in unexpected texts, emails or social-media messages.
- Contact NS&I through its official website if a message creates urgency or asks for money.
- Use an official app only for a task that NS&I clearly says it supports.
Use the official website for registration, security changes and access recovery. Never install an app from a link in an unexpected message.
This guide does not apply if you do not hold an NS&I product. It also does not replace official support for suspected fraud, a deceased holder, power of attorney, identity disputes or inherited savings.
Solving the right access problem protects your account. The answers below cover the most common next questions.
⚠️ Never share a verification code. NS&I will not need one from an unexpected call, text or email.
Questions & answers
Use these answers to choose the next safe action for your product.
Can I withdraw money from NS&I online?
You can withdraw money online only when your product and nominated bank account allow it. Older holdings may need a form or another official channel.
Why can’t I log in to my NS&I account?
Use the matching recovery route for a wrong password, missing NS&I number or old verification phone. Do not keep trying the same details repeatedly.
Is there an NS&I app for account access?
Use the verified NS&I website unless NS&I confirms an official app supports your exact task. Do not assume an app offers every withdrawal or recovery option.
How do I find my NS&I number online?
Recover your NS&I number through the official recovery journey if you cannot find it in correspondence. Choose number recovery, not a new registration.
How do I withdraw premium bonds online?
Cash in Premium Bonds online when the option appears and your nominated bank account is accepted. Use NS&I's product route if the option does not appear.
The essentials:- Register only once, then use recovery for an existing online profile.
- Check your product because Premium Bonds, ISAs and older accounts have different online actions.
- Keep your nominated bank account and registered mobile number current before requesting money.
- Keep every password and one-time code private, then use official NS&I channels when anything looks suspicious.
Related sources
These articles can help you explore the topic in more depth:
