Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
I’m running into problems trying to open a Spanish bank account here. I’m a US citizen and have a Spanish contract. I just started on my Spanish contract on 1st of October. The banks are asking for 2 payslips from my contract here and proof of my empadronamiento, before I can even open a bank account.
I obviously don’t yet have my two payslips as it will need to be two months until I receive both (and ideally I would need a bank account open first to receive these). And I’ve done the empadronado but you have to wait 45 days before you can receive the certificate. Any recommendations or banks that you’ve worked with that make it easier? I’ve tried ING and Sabadell already with no luck.
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These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
“I have friends that we’re able to open an account with BBVA (Nervion) with just a passport. I opened an account with Santander with my passport and my lease, however I had to try two different locations before someone was willing to do it. I eventually opened it at their location near Las Setas.”
“I was able to open an account at La Caixa without additional documentation, although that was a few years ago now. C. Feria branch”
“I think the best option is: Nickel bank…. You can buy it in Estancos (official tabacco’s shop). Passport only needed. Wait 2-3 mount till your payslips and open a new banc account in another best bank….hope to be helpful”
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Explore Cities →“I have also a lot problems with banks and the solution was Nickel account. It have a Spanish IBAN. It’s a good solution till you can open a bank account“
“Just open a non resident account. Go to La Caixa. By Plaza de San Francisco….huge office there.you may need to have a NIE, but maybe your passport will do.very central location, atm everywhere.”
“I brought my contract to Santander and opened it there with my passport. You’re a bit more limited in the types of accounts, but you don’t need to wait on paperwork. For the record, I completed my empadronamiento paperwork in April and have still not received my card, so you def don’t want to wait on that!”
“Maybe this article helps: Alternatives to a traditional Spanish bank account and money transfer services“
“I opened an account with BBVA.” I don’t remember having to wait 45 days for my padrón certificate.”
“Caixa allows you to open it, but I recommend getting away from them asap after you don’t need them. Horrible bank. They’re such scammers. Every now and then the app asks you to rate them, but the only option they give is 5 stars. Then, I saw something on Google once that they were the best rated bank in Spain or in Europe! Of course they are, if the only option they give is 5 stars!”
“Do you have your TIE or an ID card yet with photo? If you do, I recommend Banco Santander and you been open online and it’s free.
If not, you can open with your passport at BBVA. They will try to sell your health insurance. Decline or cancel it yourself after. If you deposit 800€/month you don’t get charged the account fee off account 14€ I think”
“Don’t go into the bank to open the account! If you do, the cost is 20€/month as a maintenance fee!! Open it up yourself online… I think it took me about 2 or maybe 3 days for everything to go through. If you go to the bank and open it, you will officially be an “existing customer”. The online process is only available for NEW customers.
The same holds for BBVA. I opened that one with my passport in office (while I waited for my TIE) but they were going to charge me 14€/month + 65€/month for an insurance that I didn’t need. Online, it would’ve been free but TIE is required.
As soon as my TIE came in, I opened with Banco Santander (like Chase Bank, Spanish version-they’re also in USA & my country, Colombia) and then I cancelled my BBVA account.”
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