How to open a bank account in Spain in 2021

Planning a big move to Spain or are you buying or renting a holiday home in Spain? Let us show you just how simple it is to open your account with Bueno. We offer a Spanish current account that you can setup in minutes, online.

First of all, it isn’t compulsory to have a Spanish IBAN account if you live, work, own a property or study in Spain, but life can be difficult without one. Many utility companies and tax offices will only accept payments from a Spanish account, even if they legally should accept non-Spanish accounts. This is why Bueno gives you a Spanish account in Spain, it is the only solution that is guaranteed to work.

Option one, open an account with a Spanish bank

Traditional banks in Spain treat non-resident and resident accounts differently. For example, you may have to prove that you are not resident by providing a certificate of non-residency (certificado de no residencia). To get one, you have to apply at a Spanish police station and the process typically takes 10 days. The cost of banking is also very different, a resident might get free banking while non-residents will pay up towards 300 euro per year for a bank account.

Documents you will need:

• Proof of identity (e.g., passport)
• Spanish foreigner identification number (NIE) and certificate (número de identificación de extranjeros)
• Proof of address
• Proof of employment status (e.g., student card, employment contract, unemployment documentation or pension income)

You have to visit a branch to open your account, and there is a chance that the staff don’t speak any English. Be prepared to spend a few hours, going to a bank branch in Spain can take time.

Option two, open an account with Bueno in under 5 minutes

Bueno don’t treat non-resident and resident accounts differently. We offer the same beautiful platform to everyone. And you get unlimited transfers for a low fixed monthly fee (some limits apply to card usage).

Documents you will need:

• Proof of identity (e.g., passport)

You will open the account online, using your phone or a PC. The process can take as little as 5 minutes. And you can open the account from abroad.