Opening a Bank Account

Depending on where you are from, it might not be essential to open a bank account in Spain – but it can make your life easier in several situations. It is best to make an appointment directly with the bank and ask for someone who can speak English or your favourite language. We can help you with the documents you will need:

If you are resident in Spain (more than 6 months per year) you will need: 

  • Your valid passport.
  • Your national identity card (for EU citizens).
  • Proof of address in Spain, such as a utility bill (not older than 3 months).
  • Your NIE.
  • Proof of employment status (a work contract, student card or unemployment papers).

If you are a non-resident in Spain (less than 6 months per year), you will need:

  • Your valid passport,
  • Your NIE, 
  • Certificado de no residencia / non-resident certificate.

The best known banks are Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, Bankia and Banco Sabadell. Each bank has its advantages and disadvantages, so you should take some time to compare them. You also need to know that you can have some fees, for example, to open your bank account or to transfer money from one account to another and be careful because chequebooks are not widely used! 

When you have chosen your bank and opened your account, you will have one card for immediate debit and ATM withdrawal, and a second card for credit payments. 

We hope this information was useful – enjoy your time in Valencia!

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