🇪🇸 Spain · Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
Quick answer
Spanish banking includes large retail banks and online banks. Opening an account usually needs an NIE, ID and proof of address or activity; non-resident accounts are available with more documentation. The Banco de España supervises banks.
Banks in Spain are supervised by the Banco de España within the EU/ECB framework. Residents and non-residents can open accounts; a foreigner typically needs an NIE and proof of address.
- The Banco de España supervises banks alongside the European Central Bank.
- Opening an account usually requires an NIE or passport and proof of address or activity.
- Non-resident accounts are available with additional documentation.
Step-by-step
- 1
Get your NIE (residents)
Residents need an NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) for a full resident account.
- 2
Choose a bank
Pick a large retail bank or an online bank (with lighter branch requirements); non-residents can open an account with a passport.
- 3
Gather your documents
For a resident account: NIE, ID and proof of address, employment or student status. For a non-resident account: a passport and a Certificado de No Residente from the Spanish National Police (about €10, renewed every two years).
- 4
Prepare business documents (business accounts)
For a business account, prepare the escritura (deed of incorporation), the CIF (company tax ID) and owner ID.
- 5
Complete identity and KYC checks
Banks run know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering checks before opening the account.
- 6
Activate the account and set up SEPA payments
Receive your IBAN and card, then set up salary, rent and SEPA direct debits (recibos).
Checklist
- NIE (resident accounts) or passport (non-resident)
- Proof of address, employment or student status
- Certificado de No Residente (non-resident accounts)
- Escritura + CIF + owner ID — business accounts
- Initial deposit (if required by the bank)
Official authorities
- Banco de España
Central bank and banking supervision.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an NIE to open a Spanish bank account?
Residents generally need an NIE; some banks offer non-resident accounts with a passport and a non-residency certificate.
Are online banks available?
Yes — several app-based and online banks operate in Spain with lighter branch requirements.
What documents are required?
Typically a passport or ID, NIE, and proof of address, employment or student status.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- General Access Point (administracion.gob.es) — Central portal for Spanish public administration services
- Immigration e-Office (Extranjería) — Residence, foreigner ID (NIE/TIE) and immigration procedures
- Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) — Spanish income tax (IRPF) and VAT (IVA) filing
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visas) — Visa applications abroad and consular services