Note
Best bank for non-residents in Spain: how to choose
Quick answer
We do not name a best bank. The right bank depends on whether you need remote service, a mortgage, low fees or a branch near the home, and terms change. We give the criteria and the questions to ask, so that you can compare written terms.
Applies toNon-residents choosing where to open an account.
On this page: 10 sections
§ 1Why no ranking
Bank terms change, and rankings online are often commercial. We take no commission and rank no provider. What we can do is give you the criteria that matter and the questions to put to a bank in writing. This page belongs to the chapter in the rules on Spanish bank accounts.
§ 2Criteria
Fees come first: maintenance, transfers, cards and cash withdrawals, and whether they depend on conditions such as a payroll or linked products. Then service: can you open the account remotely, can you manage it online and by phone in your language, and does the bank have a branch near the home? Then reach: does it lend to non-residents, and does it accept foreign documents? Then stability: ask what happens if you stop meeting a condition.
§ 3Conditions
Many accounts are free if you meet conditions such as income deposits, card use or a product. For a holiday-home owner who deposits no income, the conditions may not be met, and fees apply. Read the fee schedule. The Bank of Spain requires information on fees, and you can ask for the document.
§ 4Basic account
The Bank of Spain says banks must offer a basic payment account to people who reside legally in the EU, with listed exceptions. A person in that position has a right to such an account, and can use it as a fallback. More on account requirements explains what banks ask for.
§ 5Online banks
Online banks may open accounts faster, and may serve non-residents. Check where the bank is authorised and which deposit guarantee scheme protects you. Ask for this in writing.
§ 6The mortgage link
If you will borrow, a lender will often want the instalments debited from an account with it, or from one you name. Ask the lender what it needs. More on direct debits explains the direct debit.
§ 7Questions to ask
Ask for the fee schedule, the conditions that waive fees, the documents needed, whether non-residents are accepted, how to deal with the bank from abroad and what happens if you move. Ask for it all in writing.
§ 8Compare
Put the answers side by side in a table, and choose on the basis of your own use. Re-check once a year.
§ 9Reviews and rankings
Online rankings and reviews are often commercial or out of date. Use them to generate questions, not answers. Verify any claim in the bank’s own written terms, and test the service with a small first transaction.
§ 10Keep your own notes
Note each bank’s answers in a table with the date. Write down the question, the answer and the date, and keep the reply with your purchase file. Ask your lawyer to read anything that affects the amount or the timing, and do not rely on a verbal promise. If two sources disagree, ask for the official text and tell the person in writing which version you are relying on.
FAQRelated questions
Which is the best bank for non-residents?
There is no single answer and we name none. It depends on your needs and the bank’s terms at the time. Compare written terms for fees, remote service, languages and mortgage lending.
Do you take commissions from banks?
No. This handbook takes no referral fees from banks, lenders, brokers or currency firms, and does not rank providers. If that ever changes, the affected pages will say so.
Should I use a bank that lends too?
It can be convenient, since the lender sees your account and the instalments are debited from it. It is not necessary. Compare the loan offer separately from the account, and watch for linked products.
Sources
- Banco de España, Cliente Bancario: Cuenta de pago básica: ¿Quiénes pueden solicitarla? (official source, opens in a new window), Who has a right to a basic payment accountLast checked 18 October 2026
Financial note. No rate is printed unless it comes from a dated, official publication. Capital is at risk, exchange rates move, and no lender, broker or provider is recommended here. Mortgage terms are set by each lender; ask a registered intermediary about yours.