Last Updated on May 19, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Getting EU citizen residency Spain should be straightforward, but many applicants run into unexpected obstacles. A SpainGuru community member recently shared their frustrating experience trying to register as an EU citizen in Denia (Valencia).
Their residency request was denied because they used a UK-based Revolut account to show savings. The officer told them to open a Spanish bank account, but banks required residency first. After finally opening an account, the government appointment website kept showing a “forbidden” error. The community responded with practical advice on rights, workarounds, and how to navigate the system.
Planning your move to Spain?
Get the free step-by-step roadmap used by 10,000+ expats — covering visas, budget, housing, and the mistakes to avoid.
Start the Moving to Spain Hub →The Problem: EU Citizen Residency Spain Appointment Denied
“I am an EU citizen struggling to get residency. It was easy enough to book the first appointment in Denia but I was denied my residency as I was using a GB Revolut to show savings.”
“I was told to open a Spanish bank account and deposit the money in there and come back. It was not an easy task opening a bank account, but now that I have one I am trying to book another appointment but every time I try online it says the website is forbidden.”
“I’m at a bit of a loss with this entire system and not sure why it is so difficult because I have everything I need to get my residency.”
Community Advice: Know Your Rights as an EU Citizen
One member immediately suggested a formal complaint: “Consider filing a complaint with the ombudsman, Defensor del Pueblo. There’s no legal reason for them to require you to do this, especially when it means you’ve had to get another appointment.”
Need an immigration lawyer?
Spainguru's vetted lawyers have helped 10,000+ expats with NLV, Digital Nomad, Student, and Golden Visa applications.
See Vetted Lawyers →Another member confirmed: “They can request it but they can’t demand it. As an EU citizen you have certain rights.”
The White NIE vs Green NIE Process
One EU citizen who had been through the process explained: “I got a NIE without showing savings or being employed. As an EU citizen you can get a white NIE and you have 3 months to get a job. Then you get the green one.”
This distinction matters. The white NIE is a tax identification number, while the green certificate confirms your right to reside in Spain as an EU citizen. Requirements and procedures can vary between offices, which causes much of the confusion.
The Bank Account Catch-22
The original poster described a common circular problem: “The officer told me to open up a Spanish bank account and put at least 700 euros per month and come back. But all the banks also told me that I need a residency before I can open up a bank account.”
“I finally managed to open a bank account at Sabadell but I am having to pay a lot for insurance the bank sold me in order to open the bank account.”
Solutions from the Community
Members offered several practical workarounds for the bank account issue:
One member shared: “I opened a non-resident account with CaixaBank 10 years ago.” Non-resident accounts are specifically designed for people who do not yet have residency.
Another recommended: “I did it at Santander, a non-resident card. All the other banks didn’t accept me without a NIE. I opened an account at Santander online without taxes.”
A third suggested a digital bank: “I got a free N26 account for this purpose.” Digital banks can sometimes bypass the traditional requirements that brick-and-mortar Spanish banks impose.
Watch Out for Forced Insurance Sales
Several members warned about a common bank tactic. One wrote: “You absolutely do not need to have insurance in order to open an account. You can go back and let them know you’ll be filing a complaint if they don’t rescind the insurance.”
Another confirmed: “It is a common tactic here in Spain for banks to tell you that you must buy one of their products like insurance in order to open an account. This is how they nickel and dime you.”
Fixing the “Forbidden” Appointment Website
Members provided technical solutions for the government website error. One suggested: “Try clearing the cookies with all websites related to gob.es, and/or changing your IP address. Restarting your router would do the trick, or turning on and off airplane mode if using 4G or 5G.”
Another noted: “The site is temperamental on desktop. Have you tried on your phone or a different browser?” A third member added: “Their website doesn’t like some VPNs. I also noted more success using mobile data as opposed to WiFi sometimes.”
What Financial Documents Do They Actually Need?
A professional who works in immigration clarified the requirements: “What you’ve been asked for is common. They usually accept a foreign bank account if it’s 12 months of statements and sworn translated, which is a waste of money if you can open a Spanish account.”
One community member who was starting the process asked about the deposit amount. The original poster responded that they were told to put at least 700 euros per month. Another member who has had a Spanish bank account for four years confirmed they never needed to deposit a full year’s worth at once.
If you need help navigating Spain’s immigration system, SpainGuru’s recommended visa services include gestors and advisors who specialize in EU residency. You can also find expert immigration lawyers through SpainGuru’s directory.
Here you can find SpainGuru’s recommended immigration services: https://spainguru.es/services-for-spanish-visas/
Join SpainGuru’s Spain Immigration and Residency Questions Facebook group here: https://spainguru.es/spainguru-facebook-groups-and-spainguru-community/
Key Takeaways for EU Citizen Residency Spain Applications
You Have Rights — Use Them
As an EU citizen, Spanish authorities cannot legally require you to hold a Spanish bank account. If your foreign bank statements meet their criteria, you can push back. Filing a complaint with the Defensor del Pueblo is a legitimate option when offices impose requirements beyond what the law demands.
Open a Non-Resident Bank Account
If you decide a Spanish bank account is the easier path, look for non-resident accounts. CaixaBank and Santander have both been reported to offer these. Digital banks like N26 are another option. Never accept forced insurance or product bundling as a condition of opening an account.
Bring 12 Months of Sworn Translated Statements
If you prefer to use your foreign bank account, bring 12 months of statements with sworn translations. This approach costs more upfront but avoids the hassle of opening a Spanish bank account before you have residency. Offices that accept foreign statements will generally require the full year and professional translations.
Troubleshoot the Appointment Website
The Spanish government appointment website is notoriously unreliable. Clear all cookies related to gob.es domains. Disable any VPN. Try mobile data instead of WiFi. Switch between your phone and desktop browser. Restart your router to get a fresh IP address. Persistence is key.
Understand the White NIE vs Green NIE
The white NIE is your tax identification number and does not prove residency. The green certificate or card confirms your right to reside in Spain as an EU citizen. You may be able to obtain the white NIE first with fewer requirements and then apply for the green certificate once you are employed or can demonstrate sufficient resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EU citizens need a Spanish bank account to get residency in Spain?
No. There is no legal requirement for EU citizens to hold a Spanish bank account. However, some local offices request it because it simplifies their verification process. You can push back with foreign bank statements that are sworn translated. Filing a complaint with the Defensor del Pueblo is an option if your rights are not respected.
How can I open a Spanish bank account without residency?
Look for non-resident accounts at banks like CaixaBank or Santander. Digital banks such as N26 may also work. Do not accept insurance or product bundling as a requirement for opening an account. This is a known sales tactic and is not a legal condition.
Why does the Spanish government appointment website say “forbidden”?
The website is known to be unreliable. Common fixes include clearing all cookies related to gob.es, disabling VPNs, switching between WiFi and mobile data, trying a different browser, and restarting your router to get a new IP address.
What is the difference between a white NIE and a green NIE in Spain?
The white NIE is a tax identification number that does not confirm residency. The green certificate confirms your right to reside in Spain as an EU citizen. Some applicants obtain the white NIE first with fewer requirements, then apply for the green certificate once they meet additional criteria like employment or financial proof.
How much money do EU citizens need to show for residency in Spain?
Requirements vary by office, but the original poster was told to show at least 700 euros per month in their bank account. The exact amount may differ depending on your local office. Bring as much documentation as possible, including bank statements covering 12 months.
This article captures community experiences and opinions shared in a SpainGuru group and does not constitute legal advice. For professional guidance, consult with expert immigration lawyers through SpainGuru’s recommended services: https://spainguru.es/services-for-spanish-visas/
Get your free step-by-step Spain move plan
10 emails over 2 weeks covering visas, budget, housing & the mistakes to avoid.
Join 10,000+ expats who used this roadmap.
100% free · No credit card · Unsubscribe anytime
