What you actually need (and in what order)

Before anything else: NIE número — your foreigner identification number. Not the TIE card, just the number. You can get this from the Spanish consulate before you arrive, or from the extranjería — immigration office — after. The consulate route takes 4-8 weeks but saves chaos later. The in-Spain route takes 2-4 weeks with a cita previa — appointment.

For the bank appointment:

• Passport (original, not copy)

• NIE certificate or TIE card

• Proof of address (this is where it gets interesting)

• Proof of income or employment

• Spanish phone number (get a prepaid SIM first)

The proof of address workaround: Banks want a utility bill or rental contract. You have neither. Solutions that actually work:

1. Hotel booking confirmation — Some branches accept a 30-day booking as temporary proof. Sabadell and Santander have been more flexible here than BBVA.

2. Padrón certificate — You can register at your Airbnb or hotel address with permission from the host. The ayuntamiento — town hall — issues this in 1-5 days. Many banks accept it as proof of address.

3. Letter from your employer — If you're employed, a letter stating your Spanish work address can work for some branches.

4. Non-resident account first — Open a cuenta de no residente — non-resident account. Fewer requirements, higher fees, but it gives you a Spanish IBAN. Convert to resident account once you have proper documentation.

The padrón route is the cleanest. Register on the padrón first (you can do this within days of arriving), get your certificate, use it for the bank. Now you have an account and an official address.

The four banks expats actually use

Not all branches are equal. The same bank that turns you away in Fuengirola might welcome you in Marbella. That said, here's how they compare for English-speaking expats in 2026:

Fees vary by account type and conditions. Verified January 2026.

Sabadell — The expat-friendly option

Sabadell has quietly become the bank most English-speaking expats recommend. Their Marbella branches (Avenida Ricardo Soriano 44 and Puerto Banús) have English-speaking staff who understand the non-resident to resident transition.

What works: Call ahead, explain you're a new arrival with NIE but no rental contract yet, ask if they can open with padrón certificate. Many branches say yes.

What doesn't: Walking in without an appointment. The cita previa system is mandatory.

Phone for Marbella branch: +34 952 824 566

Santander — The everywhere option

Most branches, most ATMs, most name recognition. But quality varies wildly. The Málaga Centro branch (Calle Marqués de Larios 4) has processed many expat accounts. Smaller coastal branches can be hit-or-miss.

What works: Their "Cuenta Online" has lower requirements if you do it through the app first, then verify in branch.

What doesn't: Expecting the same answer from two different branches.

CaixaBank — The best app, worst wait

CaixaBank's mobile app is genuinely excellent. Instant transfers, clear interface, good notifications. But their branches are consistently the busiest, and appointment waits can stretch to 3-4 weeks in popular areas.

What works: If you're patient and digital-first, this is a solid long-term choice.

What doesn't: Needing an account quickly.

BBVA — The digital path

BBVA's online account opening works better than most. You can start the application digitally, upload documents, and only visit a branch for final verification. Their expat documentation is clearer than competitors.

What works: The "Cuenta Online Sin Comisiones" if you meet the conditions (direct deposit or card spending minimums).

What doesn't: Their branches can be rigid about documentation. Less flexibility than Sabadell.

Non-resident vs. resident accounts

This distinction matters more than most expats realize. Non-resident account (cuenta de no residente):

• Can open without TIE or Spanish address

• Higher fees (often €10-15/month)

• Some restrictions on automatic debits

• Simpler to open, faster to get

Resident account (cuenta de residente):

• Requires TIE and proof of Spanish address

• Lower fees (often €0-6/month with conditions)

• Full functionality including direct debits, mortgages

• What you want long-term

The play: Open non-resident first if you need an IBAN immediately (to receive salary, pay deposits, etc.). Convert to resident once you have your TIE and proper address documentation. Most banks do this conversion for free — ask when you open the non-resident account.

The digital alternatives (and their limits)

N26

Works for receiving money and daily spending. German banking license, IBAN starts with DE. You can open from anywhere with just your passport.The limit: Spanish landlords and utility companies often reject non-Spanish IBANs for direct debits. Technically illegal under SEPA regulations, but practically common. N26 is a bridge, not a destination.

Revolut

Same story. Great for currency exchange and international transfers. Lithuanian banking license (LT IBAN). But you'll hit walls trying to set up domiciliación — direct debit — for electricity or internet.

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Useful for receiving payments in other currencies and converting to euros. Not a replacement for a Spanish account. Their Euro account is Belgian (BE IBAN).

The bottom line on digital: Use them for what they're good at (international transfers, travel spending). But you need a Spanish bank account for life administration here. The ES IBAN matters.

The appointment game

Every Spanish bank requires a cita previa for account opening. Here's how to navigate:

Online booking: Each bank has an appointment system. Search "[bank name] cita previa" and book through their official site. Slots release at midnight and fill quickly in busy areas.

Phone booking: Call the branch directly. Sometimes they have slots that aren't showing online. Sabadell: 963 085 000. Santander: 915 123 123. CaixaBank: 900 404 090. BBVA: 900 102 801.

Walk-in reality: Officially, you can't. Practically, if you show up at opening (8:30 AM) with all documentation ready and explain you're a new arrival, some branches will fit you in. This works better mid-week and outside tourist season.

The gestor shortcut: A gestor with bank relationships can sometimes get you an appointment faster. Expect to pay €50-150 for this service. Worth it if you're on a deadline.

What to bring to your appointment

Don't make two trips. Bring everything:

• Passport (original)

• NIE certificate or TIE card (original)

• Proof of address (padrón, rental contract, or hotel booking)

• Proof of income (employment contract, last 3 payslips, or business registration if autónomo)

• Spanish phone number (active, they'll call it to verify)

• €100-200 cash for initial deposit (some branches require minimum)

• Tax residency declaration (they'll give you a form, but know whether you're tax resident in Spain or elsewhere)

Bring copies of everything. Some branches scan originals; others keep copies.

The sequence that works

1. Week 1: Arrive, get Spanish SIM, register on padrón at town hall

2. Week 1-2: Collect padrón certificate (1-5 days)

3. Week 2: Book bank appointment (or get gestor to expedite)

4. Week 2-3: Attend appointment with full documentation

5. Week 3: Receive card and online banking access

If you have your NIE before arriving (consulate route), you can often complete this in under two weeks. If you're applying for NIE in Spain simultaneously, add 2-4 weeks.

Spanish-lite

For your bank appointment: Quiero abrir una cuenta corriente. Tengo el NIE y el padrón. — I want to open a current account. I have the NIE and padrón registration.

Gets you to the right conversation faster than stumbling through the whole thing in English.

Common mistakes

Waiting for the perfect documentation: You don't need everything sorted before approaching a bank. Open non-resident first, convert later. Get the IBAN working.

Trying too many branches: Pick one bank, call ahead, understand their specific requirements, execute. Branch-hopping wastes weeks.

Ignoring the padrón: The empadronamiento — town hall registration — unlocks more than you think. Do it first.

Expecting UK/US banking norms: Spain runs on direct debits and cash. Credit cards work differently. Overdrafts are rare. Adjust your expectations.

The bottom line

Opening a Spanish bank account isn't hard — it's sequential. NIE first (or at least submitted). Padrón registration second. Bank appointment third.

If you're hitting walls, you're probably approaching steps out of order, or you've found a rigid branch. Switch branches, not banks.The whole process should take 2-3 weeks from arrival if you move with purpose.

The friend who's been "trying for months" isn't unlucky — they're approaching it wrong.Get the IBAN. Sort the details later. Everything else in Spain gets easier once you have a working Spanish bank account.

Onwards — A

Last updated: January 2026

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