Checks from USA and Spanish Bank: Can You Cash or Deposit Them in Spain?

Last Updated on April 21, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

Cashing in checks from USA with your Spanish bank.
Will your Spanish banks cash checks from the USA that are made out to you?
Example: You have a check from the USA, made out to you in U.S. Dollars. Will your Spanish bank allow you deposit it into your Spanish Bank Account or allow you receive the cash in Euros?
If not, what do you about the check in this example? Send it back to the USA?
Thanks.

Answers

“I second the virtual deposit with the app and your phone camera. Simple and fast.”

“We had to open a Caixa bank account opposite the town hall. I was told Sabadell sometimes takes US cheques. This was a few years ago. Both banks were rip offs. Their fees were outrageous.”

“I had a Sabadell account for a hot minute but they garbage. I use N26 now and am very happy.”

“Some banks will, it is complicated and take quite a while to post and there will be fees..send back to US or doesn’t your American bank have an app that you can deposit it virtually?”

“Use your U.S. bank account…remote deposit. Hopefully you have one.”

“Spanish banks can deposit U.S. checks, but the process is slow, sometimes up to 6 weeks and they usually charge high fees. It’s best you check your specific bank, as not all of them accept foreign checks. If you still have a U.S. account, depositing there and transferring the funds to Spain is often faster and cheaper.”

“My Spanish bank charges €35 to cash an out of country check and takes a month to credit my account. As a result, I have kept my USAA account where I can just take a photograph of a check and it will go directly into my account and then I can transfer the money using WISE.”

“Your US bank or brokerage account has an option to photograph and deposit checks. Why don’t you use that?”

“Use a VPN for your internet and mobile deposit them in your US bank.”

Conclusion

According to members of the Spainguru Facebook community, cashing checks from the USA at a Spanish bank is technically possible but often slow, expensive, and inconvenient. Some Spanish banks may accept U.S. checks, but the processing time can take up to six weeks and fees can be as high as €35 or more.

A far more efficient alternative is to use your U.S. bank’s mobile deposit feature—simply take a photo of the check and deposit it digitally.

Many members recommend maintaining a U.S. account specifically for this reason and then using a service like Wise to transfer the funds to your Spanish account. Some even suggest using a VPN if you encounter regional restrictions when using your U.S. banking apps from Spain.

Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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