Open a Bank Account in Spain
Our team of specialists in company registration in Spain can help you open a Spanish bank account, for personal or corporate needs.
If you want to open a corporate or personal bank account in Spain, this article explains the key requirements. Extra support & guidance can be provided by our specialists in company formation in Spain.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can open a bank account in Spain? | Both residents and non-residents in Spain |
Formalities to open a bank account in Spain | – a valid ID/passport and NIE (a residence permit for residents or a non-residence certificate for non-residents), proof of employment for natural persons – company documents for legal entities |
Required documents | – Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation for companies, – a valid passport in the case of natural persons |
| Types of bank accounts | – saving accounts, – deposit accounts, – debit and credit accounts, – digital accounts |
| Debit or credit card issued with a bank account | Yes |
| Cash deposit to open a bank account | A small deposit might be solicited by the selected bank. |
| Fees to open a bank account in Spain | Some banks impose fees for opening accounts. |
| Banking services offered (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Possibility to open a bank account online (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Possibility to pay online the utility bills (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Overseas money transfers accepted (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Formalities for student bank account | – letter of approval from the University, – specific bank forms, – residence permit, – proof of domicile |
| Loans option available (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Offshore bank accounts | Yes, under certain conditions |
| We provide support for opening a bank account in Spain (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Mandatory local bank account for companies (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Special requirements for corporate bank accounts | Some banks may ask for annual turnover conditions for SME accounts. |
| Corporate account online opening | In most cases, a business account for companies is opened in a local branch, not fully online. |
| Bank accounts for self-employed individuals | Some banks offer bank accounts for freelancers. |
| Self-employed bank account online opening | Yes, banks can offer the option to open this account fully online. |
| Conditions for self-employed worker’s accounts | The applicant must prove his/her self-employed status. |
| POS terminal | A business account can offer the option to hire a POS terminal. |
| Business financing options | Business owners with a bank account in Spain can access financing options such as credit lines or loans for projects. |
| Local agent requirements | Not mandatory but can be used |
| Power of attorney for banking matters | A general or specific power of attorney can be used to sort banking matters. |
| General criteria for choosing the bank | Accessibility, past experience with the respective international bank, fees, interest rates. |
| Specific criteria for choosing the bank | Special deals, special support for business clients, various favourable conditions for some types of accounts. |
| Examples of large banks in Spain | Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, Sabadell, Bankinter, etc. |
| Assistance for opening a bank account in Spain | As needed, our incorporation experts will help with representation, document submission to the chosen bank, etc. |
| Other services | Complete solutions for starting a business in Spain. |
How can I be helped in opening a bank account in Spain?
Our Spanish agents can:
- assist in document preparation & review,
- evaluate applicants/profiles before choosing a bank in Spain to work with,
- represent customers at the bank branch in Spain,
- provide extra legal advice on bank products, on request,
- advise expats relocating to Spain and wanting to open a bank account here,
- ease communication between customers and banks in Spain, etc.
Are there any nationality restrictions in opening a bank account in Spain?
No.
What types of bank accounts are available in Spain?
- Corporate accounts,
- Current accounts,
- Salary accounts,
- Fixed-term deposit accounts,
- Savings accounts, etc.
We invite you to discover the following infographic:
Who oversees the banking operations in Spain?
What are the conditions to open a corporate bank account in Spain?
- present the company documents – Certificate of Incorporation, beneficial ownership, extract from Spanish Commercial Registry, etc.,
- prepare copies of shareholders’ IDs or passports,
- complete a standard bank form,
- present documents describing the company activities, projected transactions, source of funds,
- prepare & present authorized signatures.
NOTES:
- all foreign documents must be in Spanish,
- banks in Spain might ask for additional documentation,
- the company representative/agent can be in charge of preparing the required paperwork for opening a bank account in Spain. He or she will act with a power of attorney.
What are the conditions to open a personal bank account in Spain?
- present ID or NIE,
- prepare proof of domicile (empadronamiento),
- present a utility bill,
- complete the standard form provided by the selected bank branch in Spain.
IMPORTANT:
- non-residents can also open bank accounts in Spain by using the ID or passport. It all depends on the bank,
- proof of income will be solicited (ex., salary, personal savings, other types of income).
You can watch the video presentation about how to open a bank account in Spain:
Are multi-currency bank accounts available in Spain?
Yes. You can open a bank account in:
- Euros,
- Dollars,
- GBP, etc.
Can a bank account in Spain be opened online?
Most banks in Spain accept opening bank accounts online, but it will be necessary to visit the branch for further details & procedures.
Do I need to pay a fee when opening a bank account in Spain?
- in some cases, a bank might solicit a small deposit when opening the account,
- other banks only impose a monthly or annual administration fee.
What types of banking services are provided in Spain?
- mobile banking,
- international money transfers,
- investment options,
- multi-currency exchange,
- overdrafts,
- loans,
- credit & debit cards, etc.
Can foreigners access bank loans in Spain?
Yes. Specific conditions might apply.
Interested in setting up a company in Spain? A bank account is also needed in this case. As such, you may discuss this directly with our team of accountants in Spain, who can also tell you more about bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes, among other topics. Please contact our experts in company incorporation in Spain and explore the services we offer in the business field.
Federico Richardson Alborna, Attorney at Law · 5 November 2026Federico Richardson Alborna is the founder of Lexidy Law Boutique SLP and a University of Navarra graduate.