Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
Before applying for NLV I’ve opened a non resident Spanish bank account in Banco Santander. Now when our NLV is approved and we just received our NIE/TIE – should I go to Santander and switch my account to a resident account? Is it necessary or are there any benefits from doing that?
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“As soon as I got my residency card (TIE) I went to the location I opened my account. That would stop the monthly non-resident fees. Try and see the officer who opened the account. I saw someone else first and they did not do it properly. But she looked really busy for the 45 minutes I sat there! Once I connected with my officer she had the papers ready for me to sign when I walked in. All good now. I still need to make a monthly deposit and use the debit card a few times to avoid fees but easy-peasy. I’ve not had any fees on my Santander One Account since I updated it to resident. Cultivate a relationship with your bank officer so they help you when you need it.”
“We still have a non resident account but avoid fees by making a minimum deposit and paying two utility bills monthly.”
“As soon as we got our TIEs we also switched from non resident to resident accounts. No fees for the first 6 months. After that we had to deposit something like 600 euro every month to avoid a fee.”
“Yes, once you are a resident you should inform the Bank. Currently your account will record you as being a tax resident elsewhere. A resident account may have lower fees than a nonresident account”
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Explore Cities →“Yes, or your account will be blocked. It happened to me.”
Related read: Can our bank account be frozen when our TIEs expire next month, as we’re renewing our residence?
In conclusion, some Spainguru Facebook group members advise to switch to a resident account in Santander or any other bank in Spain after receiving your NIE/TIE. This will enable you to avoid non-resident fees and enjoy the benefits that come with being a resident account holder, such as easier access to loans, mortgages, and other financial products. It is also important to maintain a good relationship with your bank officer and keep your account information up to date to avoid any issues with your account.
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