Open a Spanish bank account

Direct debits run the country — rent, energy, gym and taxes all expect an IBAN.

Timeline

Same day to 1 week

Cost

Free to €120/year depending on the bank and your payroll

Where

Any branch, or fully online with most Spanish banks

Steps

1. 1Decide between a resident account (needs a NIE) and a non-resident account (needs a certificado de no residencia).
2. 2Book a branch appointment or complete the online onboarding with video ID.
3. 3Ask explicitly about comisiones de mantenimiento and how to avoid them.
4. 4Set up direct debits for rent and utilities as soon as the IBAN is active.

What to bring

• Passport
• NIE
• Proof of income or employment contract
• Padrón

Next steps