Opening a bank account in Spain as an expat: NIE, IBANs and your rights

In Spain, the key number for foreign residents is the NIE, your foreigner identity number. Neo banks such as N26, bunq and Revolut give Spanish residents a Spanish IBAN in the app, and if you live legally in the EU you also have a right to a basic payment account costing at most €3 a month.

What you will be asked for

Requirements depend on the bank and on your nationality. These items come up most often:

Getting your NIE

The NIE is a personal, unique number for foreigners who have economic, professional or social interests in Spain. It is issued in Spain by the National Police (through Foreigners' Offices or police stations) and abroad by Spanish consulates. You must apply in person, or through a representative in Spain, and state why you need the number.

According to Spain's official procedures portal, you need:

• form EX-15, in duplicate;
• form 790, code 012, with proof that you paid the fee: €9.84 for assigning an NIE at your own request;
• your valid passport or national ID card, plus a copy (for EU citizens).

The authorities must decide within a maximum of five days from registering the application. N26 points out that the number is permanent, that it is generally issued on the day you apply, and that the NIE alone does not give you the right to live in Spain.

EU citizens staying longer than three months

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who will live in Spain for more than three months must register in person at the Foreigners' Office of their province (or the police station if there is none) within three months of arriving. You need form EX-18, proof of payment of fee 790 code 012, your passport or ID card, and documents showing you meet the residence conditions. The police issue the registration certificate immediately, showing your address and foreigner identification number.

Neo banks: what N26, bunq and Revolut offer in Spain

N26

N26 is a bank headquartered in Germany. Since April 2019, all new N26 customers in Spain receive a Spanish IBAN, and deposits stay protected by the German deposit guarantee scheme up to €100,000 per client. N26's Spanish help centre says you must be at least 18, live in a supported country, hold a supported ID, own a compatible smartphone and provide a valid tax ID under Spain's General Tax Law. Approval depends on an automated creditworthiness check.

bunq

bunq's standard IBAN is Dutch, but bunq says anyone who signs up from Spain gets a Spanish IBAN (ES) from the start, on any plan. bunq also says you can open a local account in about five minutes, even before you arrive in Spain. Verified Pro and Elite users elsewhere in the EEA can add an extra account with a Spanish IBAN.

Revolut

Revolut offers a Spanish IBAN account regulated by the Bank of Spain through Revolut Bank UAB, Sucursal en España, which is registered in the Bank of Spain's register of credit institutions under number 1583. Revolut Bank UAB is licensed by the European Central Bank and regulated by the Bank of Lithuania; deposits are covered by Lithuania's deposit insurance scheme up to €100,000 per depositor. You must be 18 or over to open the euro account and verify your identity in the app.

At a glance

For plans and prices, see N26 plans explained, bunq plans explained and the Revolut listing.

Your right to a basic payment account

Spanish banks must offer a cuenta de pago básica (basic payment account) to anyone legally resident in the EU, as well as to asylum seekers and people without a residence permit who cannot be expelled. According to the Bank of Spain:

• you must not already hold a current account with another bank in Spain;
• the account lets you deposit and withdraw cash and make 120 payments a year within the EU (direct debits, card payments, transfers and standing orders);
• the maximum fee is €3 a month;
• it is free for two years, renewable, for people in a vulnerable situation or whose household income is below limits linked to the IPREM indicator.

The Bank of Spain considers it good practice to refuse only if you already have an account, do not provide the required information, there is a real risk of money laundering or terrorist financing, or opening it would harm national security or public order. Apply in writing, ask the bank to confirm receipt, and ask for any refusal in writing so you can complain.

Can you keep your foreign EU IBAN?

Yes. Refusing a euro payment or direct debit because the IBAN comes from another EU country breaches Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 260/2012. The Bank of Spain suggests telling the company, then sending a formal complaint. If that fails, report it to the Bank of Spain (if the company is a bank or payment provider) or to your regional consumer authority (if a business refuses a consumer).

Practical tips

1. Book your NIE or EU registration appointment early; banks, employers and landlords ask for the number.
2. Open a neo bank account with a Spanish IBAN so you can receive a salary and pay a rental deposit.
3. Check each bank's accepted ID list before you start the identity check.

Compare all providers available in Spain in our comparison table for Spain. Moving to Germany or Italy instead? Read opening a bank account in Germany as an expat or opening a bank account in Italy as an expat, and see is my money safe in a neo bank? before you move large sums.

Moving to another country? See which neo banks accept residents of each country.

Moving to Portugal instead? Read opening a bank account in Portugal as an expat: NIF first, then a PT IBAN from Revolut.

Sources

• Spanish Government (one.gob.es): Application for NIE for international individuals
• Policía Nacional: Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión
• Banco de España: Cuenta de pago básica (leaflet)
• Banco de España: IBAN discrimination, what is it and how to act
• N26 Support: How to open my N26 account? (Spain)
• N26: N26 now offers Spanish IBANs
• N26: The NIE in Spain, your questions answered
• bunq Help: What kind of IBAN will I get with bunq?
• bunq: Moving to Spain, a complete guide for expats
• Revolut: Euro bank account (Spain)
• Revolut: Account switching (Spain)

Prices and features checked on 29 October 2026.

This guide is general information, not financial advice. Fees, features and availability change, so check the provider's own website before you apply. Read how we compare providers and our affiliate disclosure.