Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
Can I get a Spanish bank account without a NIE #? I am an EU citizen living in the US.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Some banks allow you to open with a passport. I know BBVA has and I’ve heard of Sabadell doing it as well. You would go to one of their offices in Spain.”
“It depends on where you live and which bank you go to. When I lived in Logroño, La Rioja, BBVA refused to allow me to open an account. I had my NIE, an apartment and my padrón, but I did not yet have my TIE. I ended up going to Deutsche Bank and they obliged, but told me my account would be frozen if I didn’t get my TIE within a certain amount of time.”
“You can get a NIE in the US. I did so for my mom and under purpose, you write ‘open bank account’ and they’ll issue you a paper with the NIE. It’s like 7-9€.”
“Deutsche Bank will allow you to open a non-resident account with a passport!”
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Explore Cities →“Yes, you can. I got a bank account with Santander prior to obtaining a NIE. You need a passport. They will charge you a monthly fee though.”
“We opened our bank account with Sabadell using our passports. But they knew we would eventually get our NIE because we were going to buy a property.”
“Yes. You can open with your passport, but generally only in person. I have an account with Caixa.”
“Yes you can get bank account for non-residents with only a passport or ID.”
“You should be able to open an account with your passport. You can do so online; most Spanish banks have their online sign up with a different kind of account. N26 is popular, but there are many with the big banks.”
Conclusion
While it is possible for EU citizens to open a bank account in Spain without a NIE, the availability and conditions vary significantly by bank and region. Some banks might allow opening an account with just a passport, especially for non-residents, but others may require the NIE or additional documentation like the TIE.
Physical presence in Spain is often necessary, and there may be fees associated with maintaining the account. Therefore, it is advisable to check with specific banks or consult a financial advisor for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Related article
Are there any online bank accounts for non-residents in Spain available?
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