Question
“Hello all! Trying to open a Revolut/N26 account but as we’ve only been here a couple of days it’s saying the NIE is not registered with the Agencia Tributaria. Is this something that happens with Empadronamiento or the TIE? Or something separate to do?
Any accounts you can open without this?
I wanted to get a Spanish phone no but think I need a Spanish bank account for this?
Has anyone managed to get round this?
Thanks so much!”
Answers
“You have to fill out Form 030 and file it in an ‘Agencia Tributaria’ office – Ministerio de Hacienda. For this you’ll have to bring your passport and TIE, should you have it.”
“Passport will do!”
“You can also file Modelo 030 online. This requires your NIE, but not your TIE. There are instructions for doing this with or without having your electronic certificate.”
“I’ve just looked at the Agencia Tributaria website guide to electronic submission of Modelo 030. It says you need either cl@ve, certificate or electronic DNI to be able to do it online.”
“There are separate instructions for ‘extraordinary procedure,’ which enables you to file Modelo 030 without cl@ve or certificate.”
“In my case it took a while, as I didn’t have an appointment (I couldn’t since I had no electronic certificate), so I took a number. Once with the officer, it took a good half hour.”
“If you file it online, it usually appears in their system the following business day, two business days max.”
“Revolut requires your TIE. I tried to open an account but mine had expired so I’m waiting to get the replacement. I’m not sure if BBVA online might or Santander??”
“I just wrote the exact post on another move to Spain FB group. So reassuring others going through the damn process. I have a pay-as-you-go Spanish phone no with Orange so that may help in the interim?”
“It does my head in! Bizarrely my N26 accepted my NIE number today! Keep persevering!!”
“I have been here 7 weeks, padron appointment Friday and still to get TIE despite 2 agents and myself checking for appointments multiple times a day!”
“Happened to a friend of mine after she got NIE issued with her Visa. She was told it can take up to 30 days to be ‘active’ in the system that N26 must use to validate the number you provide.”
“I have been told you can open an N26 account with a passport. You have to change the document type in the dropdown and I could not get that to work on the website, but it seemed to work if you download the app to your phone and open your account via the app.”
Conclusion
Opening a Revolut or N26 account in Spain right after arrival can be tricky, especially if your NIE isn’t yet registered with the Agencia Tributaria.
To resolve this, many members recommended submitting Form 030 (Modelo 030), which you can file in person at the Agencia Tributaria with just your passport, or online using certain digital credentials.
While Revolut seems to require a valid TIE, N26 may be more flexible—some members successfully registered with just a NIE or even a passport, especially using the mobile app.
However, it may take up to 30 days for the NIE to become active in the system used for validation. In the meantime, using a pay-as-you-go Spanish phone (e.g., Orange) is a helpful workaround.
Persistence is key—appointments and system delays are frustrating but common. The community’s advice emphasizes patience, flexibility, and exploring all technical options (like using a mobile app versus a website) to open your desired account.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experiences and contributions shared by members of the Spainguru community. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for guidance specific to your situation.
