Opening a bank account in Spain is one of the first steps when you move, invest or buy a home here: you need a local account to receive a salary or a pension, pay rent, set up direct debits for your bills and cover the taxes on a property purchase. The good news is that it is simple and fast, including without living in Spain. Here is how to go about it, which documents to prepare, which bank to choose and how to keep the fees down.
Opening a bank account in Spain really makes life easier for French people living there.
Resident or non-resident account: the first distinction
There are two types of account, and this is where it all starts:
- The non-resident account: for people who have an interest in Spain (buying a home, investing) without living here. This is the most common case for a foreign buyer of a second home. It calls for a certificate of non-residence (which the bank can request on your behalf).
- The resident account: for people who live in Spain (more than 183 days a year), have their NIE and often their empadronamiento (municipal registration).
The way the account works is the same; it is your status that decides the type of account and the supporting documents you are asked for.
The documents you need
Requirements vary from one bank to another, but in general prepare:
- A passport or a valid national ID card.
- Your NIE (or, for a non-resident account, a certificate of non-residence).
- Proof of address (a utility bill, a rental contract and so on).
- Sometimes proof of income (pay slips, a tax return, a pension statement).
Tip: prepare each document in paper and digital form. To understand the role the NIE plays in your paperwork, see our guide: getting the NIE in Spain.
Which bank should you choose in Spain?
There is no universal “best bank”: the right choice depends on why you are opening the account. In practice, two families are open to you.
Online banks and neobanks. This is the simplest and fastest route. Names like N26 or Revolut are reliable, open in a few minutes from your phone and carry very low fees. They are perfect for receiving transfers, paying for everyday things and getting started without waiting. On the other hand, they are less suited to heavier operations such as a mortgage.
High-street banks. The best-known ones, Sabadell, CaixaBank (La Caixa), Santander, BBVA, have branches everywhere. Their strength is that you can bring together far more than an account with them: home insurance, car insurance and, above all, an adviser to talk to about a bank loan. This is the right choice as soon as your project involves property. Some branches offer service in English, more rarely in French.
Many expats combine the two: a neobank to keep everyday fees low, and a large Spanish bank for property and financing.
Free or paid?
An account can perfectly well be free. Several banks waive account-keeping and card fees provided you keep regular movements on the account (a salary or a pension paid in, or a minimum spend on the card). Without any movement, fixed fees may apply. This is the first thing to check before you sign.
With or without a NIE: the real question
In practice, this is what decides how you open your account. Many banks, both online and high-street, are willing to open an account for Europeans and non-Europeans alike with a simple passport plus proof of income or address, without a NIE. Enough to get going very quickly.
The limit comes at the financing stage. To get a bank loan (and therefore fund a property purchase), the NIE becomes essential. If you opened your account without one, you will need to obtain it before moving on to financing. Our advice: start the NIE application in parallel with opening the account, so nothing holds up the next step.
These are the procedures we see applied in the Valencia region in 2026; they can vary slightly from one branch to the next.
Opening an account remotely, before you even arrive
Preparing your project from abroad? Several options let you open before you settle in:
- Some Spanish online banks (or European banks active in Spain) allow you to open entirely remotely, with identity verification by video.
- For a non-resident account at a traditional bank, opening can be done by power of attorney or during a dedicated trip.
- A European neobank (with a European IBAN) can serve as a stopgap while you open a Spanish account.
For a property purchase, having a Spanish account before signing avoids a lot of friction (paying the taxes, transfers, setting up the utilities).
Bank fees: how to keep them down
This is the area that surprises people the most. Points to watch:
- Account-keeping fees and card fees: these vary a great deal; many banks waive them on conditions (a salary paid in, a minimum balance or spend).
- Currency conversion fees if you fund the account in euros from abroad (normally nil within the euro zone) or in another currency.
- International transfer fees: favour SEPA transfers.
Comparing two or three offers before opening will often save you several tens of euros a year.
An account to buy a home in Spain
For a property purchase, the Spanish account is used to pay the deposit, the taxes and the fees, and to set up direct debits for the running costs of the home. It is a step to plan ahead just like the NIE. We build it into our property-buying support in Spain, including remotely.
Opening an account is only one building block of your move: find all the steps in our guide to moving to Valencia.
Need a hand?
At BuenApart, an agency in Valencia that works with international clients, we help our clients prepare their paperwork (NIE, bank account, purchase) in their own language, from the first exchange to the handover of the keys. Let’s talk about your project.
Frequently asked questions
Can you open a bank account in Spain without living there?
Yes, through a non-resident account: most large Spanish banks offer one. A passport and a certificate of non-residence (or your NIE) are usually enough. Some online banks even let you open an account remotely before you arrive.
What documents do you need to open an account in Spain?
Usually: a valid passport or national ID, your NIE (or a certificate of non-residence), proof of address and sometimes proof of income. Requirements vary from one bank to another.
Do you need a NIE to open a bank account in Spain?
Not always for a non-resident account, where a passport can be enough, but the NIE quickly becomes essential to get a mortgage or to handle a property purchase in Spain.
Which bank should you choose in Spain?
Neobanks like N26 or Revolut open in minutes with very low fees but are less suited to a mortgage. High-street banks such as Sabadell, CaixaBank, Santander and BBVA give you a local branch, home and car insurance and, above all, an adviser for a bank loan. The right choice depends on your needs.
How do you avoid bank fees in Spain?
Compare account and card fees, favour offers that are free provided you keep regular movements on the account (a salary or pension paid in, a minimum spend on the card) or choose an online bank, and watch currency conversion fees if you fund the account from abroad.