Money and Banking: Bank Account Requirements

Opening a local bank account can make residing abroad easier.

Banks have varying requirements to open an account.

By law, banks in Spain are required to verify your identity before you can open an account. To do this, you must present documents to prove your identity, including primary photographic identification (e.g., passport, national identity card), proof of status or employment (employment contract, student card, pension or disability confirmation), your foreigner identification number (NIE), and proof of residence issued within the previous 3 months (utility bill, driver’s license, council tax bill). If opening the account from abroad, a letter of reference from your current bank and a taxpayer number in your home country may also be required. Contact your bank for its exact requirements.

You’ll need to decide what type of account(s) to open, which will depend on how you like to access your money and how frequently you’d like to do so.