Opening a bank account in Spain as a foreign non-resident is critical if you’re living in (or thinking about moving to) the country.
Like most places in Europe, expats discover that having a Spanish bank account is an important requirement of life here. The reason is that many Spanish institutions and local businesses will only transact with a local bank account.
For instance, for basic everyday purchases like utilities, gym memberships, and health insurance you’ll often need a Spanish IBAN (not just a euro IBAN account) and a local bank account.
Want to make a mobile purchase from Spotify in Spain or on the Spanish App Store on your iPhone? Then, you’ll need a debit or credit card issued by a Spanish bank.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- If you are planning on living in Spain, you will need to open a local bank account
- Not all foreign non-residents can open a bank account in Spain
- There are several ways for non-residents to benefit from opening an account in Spain
- A non-resident can open a bank account in Spain without an NIE
But, the most shocking thing about Spanish banking is this…
Your Spanish banking experience is 100% dependent on the particular branch and specific banker you choose.
If you go to the wrong branch, and get assigned a lazy or unprofessional (sorry Spain) banker, watch out. It’s a nightmare.
Literally, the “branch banker” factor, is the single biggest indicator of how good or horrible your banking life will be in this country.
Yes, the bank you choose matters everywhere. But, in Spain, the crucial tipping point is your branch-banker combo.
In this article, we’re going to tell you how to get started on the right foot, what major obstacles to avoid as a foreign non-resident, and how to get the best accounts open with the least amount of headaches.
Let’s get started!
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- 103 Foreigners Can’t Be Wrong (Or Can they?)
- Opening a Bank Account in Spain as a Foreign Non-Resident
- Ready to Open an Offshore Bank Account?
103 Foreigners Open a Bank Account in Spain…
We asked 103 foreigners about their banking experiences with banks in Spain and opening a bank account in Spain as a foreign non-resident.
And, we couldn’t believe the responses…
They were all over the map. Some people were disgusted with what they had experienced, others were overjoyed with the level of service…
Our team has never seen such drastically different customer experiences from the same bank in an EU country.
What was happening?
We dug into the data and what we found was that there are two groups of people in the 103 foreigners that we surveyed…
The first group was in the “My Spanish banker and branch are amazing” camp. These foreigners had glowing, gratitude-filled reviews and sang the praises of hard-working Spanish bankers, branch managers, and branches with off-the-charts service.
The second group? Hate mail on steroids. People in this group didn’t just have “bad” experiences, they were gut-wrenching. Retirees are duped into buying unnecessary products and services by unethical bankers. Lost applications. Disorganized branch managers. Questionable mortgage tactics. Aggressive upselling. Convenient “mistakes” that result in lofty commission bumps. Sitting in branches for hours to resolve simple issues.
We started to see a pattern…
Each person’s glowing review or banking nightmare was 100% dependent on the specific branch and a single banker.
And if you only take one thing away from this article it should be this: when choosing which bank, branch, and banker in Spain to open accounts at, be careful.
Of course, if you’re a GlobalBanks Insider and you need help choosing the right bank in Spain just submit a request and we’d be happy to share our specific findings with you.
Why Open a Non-Resident Bank Account in Spain?
There are several reasons why opening a bank account in Spain as a foreign non-resident is beneficial (and necessary). Here are a few of the most common reasons:
- Apply for a mortgage at a Spanish bank to buy Spanish real estate
- Start transferring funds to Spain for a real estate purchase
- Acquire residency in Spain
- Pay for utilities, government, or state-owned services in Spain
- Receive EU/UK pension payments in Spain
- Receive unemployment benefits (can’t use fintech)
- To get an apartment, pay rent, or have your safety deposit returned in Spain
- Get a gym membership in Spain
- Pay for local health insurance in Spain
- Sometimes, you require a Spanish IBAN and a fintech won’t work.
While it’s possible to use a foreign bank account, having a Spanish bank account is necessary for some aspects of life in Spain.
If this is your first time visiting GlobalBanks, don’t forget to download your FREE Non-Resident Banking Starter Guide. It’s designed to help non-residents open an international bank account in top banking hubs around the world.
Opening a Bank Account in Spain as a Foreign Non-Resident
Unlike many countries today, both non-resident and resident foreigners can open bank accounts in Spain. In fact, even opening a Spanish bank account as a non-resident without an NIE is still 100% possible. But, just like banking in other European countries, including banks in Malta, the account opening process isn’t always smooth.
A resident bank account does have more perks and services. Sometimes a resident bank account has lower fees, and other times they’re extortionate. But as we’ve shared throughout this article, it comes down to the bank, branch, and banker you choose to connect with in Spain.
For instance, not all banks and branches in Spain will accept non-residents. It’s important to know which banks and branches accept non-resident clients. This is, in fact, the same in many offshore banking jurisdictions. Whether you’re looking for non-resident banking in Europe or Armenia banks for non-residents you need to shop around and go from branch to branch until you find one willing to accept you.
And, if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll need to track down an English-speaking banker or take a friend with you.
Opening an Online Bank Account in Spain as a Foreigner is Rare
If you don’t have the right citizenship and supporting documents, opening an online bank account in Spain as a foreigner without an NIE is nearly impossible. So, if you want to open a Spanish bank account online, while you’re abroad, you may want to consider alternatives.
Even if you’re a resident, most banks will still expect you to show up in person at the branch with your documents.
There are, however, several strategies you can use to open an account from abroad without showing up in Spain in person. GlobalBanks Insiders can message us directly for specific details for banks that accept these methods.
You Can Upgrade From a Non-Resident to a Resident Bank Account in Spain Later
You can always upgrade from a non-resident bank account to a resident bank account after you obtain Spanish residency and obtain the required documents. The process is simple and expats do it all the time.
Remember, some banks that are sticklers about residency status. Some banks will keep tabs on your residency status, and check to see if you still have non-resident status every 6 months.
So, if you plan on opening a non-resident bank account in Spain, and then leaving the country, make sure you get an account at a Spanish bank that won’t close your bank account in 6 to 12 months when you can’t submit proof of your non-residency status.
Non-Residents May Have to Prove They are Non-Residents in Spain
Unlike many places in the world, some banks in Spain require you to prove that you’re not a Spanish resident. To do this, you’ll need to provide a certificate of non-residency (certificado de no residencia).
To get your certificate of non-residency, you’ll have to apply at a Spanish police station and the process typically takes 10 days. So again, if you’re visiting Spain on a short trip and really want to open a bank account, choose a bank that does not require this certificate.
Document Requirements Vary From Bank to Bank in Spain
Like many places, requirements vary from bank to bank, branch to branch, and even banker to banker. So, choose all three wisely, otherwise, you could be in for a long and painful opening process.
And as you’d expect, the documents banks require for non-residents vs residents differ when opening accounts in Spain.
Document requirements also vary depending on the type of financial services the applicant requires. Whether you’re looking to purchase an international property and require an expat mortgage in the UK or need a multicurrency account, it’s important to confirm the documents before applying to open an account.
Challenges When Using a Bank Account in Spain as a Foreigner
Unresponsiveness & difficult to contact
Some Spanish banks (and branches) are notorious for NOT responding to emails, phone, or online messages. This is a huge problem for foreign non-residents who do not live near a branch, do not live in Spain, or simply don’t want to physically visit a branch in person every time a problem arises.
This unresponsiveness is especially frustrating when there’s an urgent problem. For example, if the bank has overcharged you, or you need to cancel your debit card.
Here’s a classic example…
Let’s say your wallet was stolen and someone is making fraudulent charges on your card. You call the bank to cancel the card and freeze your bank account.
Instead of being transferred immediately to a fraud department and canceling the card, it’s not uncommon for the bank to say “someone will call you back in 24 hours.” And even then, there’s a 50/50 chance of someone actually calling back.
That means, if you are not physically in Spain, it’s difficult to resolve banking problems remotely. Unless of course, you chose a solid branch and a competent banker on day one.
Some bankers will tell you there are no “fee-free bank accounts” in Spain
This is a red flag. And, it’s false. The banker just wants you to open a bank account at their bank or push you into a more expensive bank account where they’ll get a commission or hit a performance target.
Most banks in Spain charge bank account fees. And as we said above, these account fees can be high and opaque, compared to other countries in Europe.
Here are a few account fees that banks in Spain charge that foreigners are surprised by:
- Annual account maintenance fee: Usually €40 per year and up
- Transfer fees: Usually €2 to €3. Some banks even charge transfer fees for transferring money to another Spanish bank account.
- Annual fee for debit cards: Some banks in Spain will charge a small fee for debit cards (€10 per year), which many foreigners find surprising.
But there’s one thing even more surprising than the account fees…
Many foreigners are surprised to learn that after opening a bank account in Spain, banks can increase account fees without any customer notifications. For example, it’s common to open a bank account and think you’ve committed to paying €15 per quarter, only to discover it’s double.
While this is illegal in most countries, it’s still common practice across many banks in Spain. So be careful and ask your banker before opening a bank account when the fee schedule will be increasing next.
Ready to Open an Offshore Bank Account?
If so, you can access GlobalBanks Insider and start the process of applying for an offshore account in a few clicks.
GlobalBanks Insider is a dedicated account opening solution that involves direct support from our team and direct introductions to the banks of your choosing. It gives you instant access to the…
+ Direct support from a team of banking experts
+ Direct introductions to your desired banks
+ Answers to your most pressing questions and challenges
+ Expert insights on which banks to choose & why
+ Plus, FULL access to our entire suite of account opening tools and intelligence!
And “yes!” GlobalBanks Insider is designed to help foreign and non-resident individuals and companies open bank accounts.
Use this link to see how GlobalBanks Insider can help you successfully open accounts.
