This page is for people opening their first account in Spain or who have been refused one. It does not compare individual banks’ fees: terms change, and the law guarantees minimum rights at any bank.
Do I have the right to an account at a Spanish bank?
Yes, if you reside legally in the EU. The law requires banks that offer payment accounts to open a basic payment account (cuenta de pago básica) for anyone who:
- resides legally in the European Union, including without a fixed address;
- has applied for asylum;
- has no residence permit but cannot be expelled for legal or factual reasons.
Holders of temporary protection reside legally in Spain. In its answers for them, the Ministry of Inclusion writes that as a resident of Spain you can open an account; in 2022 the European Banking Authority also stressed that temporary protection gives the right to a basic account. Whether this right extends to those who have only applied for protection and have not yet received a decision is not stated expressly.
If you live outside the EU and do not reside legally in it, the law gives you no right to a basic account: a bank opens an ordinary account at its own discretion.
What does a basic account include, and how much does it cost?
A basic account is opened in euros, and the bank cannot require you to buy other products with it. It covers:
- opening, maintaining and closing the account;
- depositing money and withdrawing cash at branches and ATMs in the EU;
- direct debits, payments by debit or prepaid card, including online, and transfers within the EU. Transfers to Ukraine are not among the guaranteed services of a basic account.
The fee for all of this together may not exceed €3 a month and covers up to 120 euro payments within the EU a year. Payments above this number cost no more than the bank’s own average fees, which the Bank of Spain publishes every quarter. Withdrawing cash from another bank’s ATM may incur that bank’s fee.
How can you get the account for free?
A basic account is free for people in a vulnerable situation or at risk of financial exclusion. The annual income of the whole family must not exceed:
| Situation | Income limit | In 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| The person is not part of any family unit (unidad familiar) | 3 × IPREM | €21,600 a year |
| A family of fewer than four people | 3.5 × IPREM | €25,200 a year |
| Four or more people, a large family or a family member with a disability of 33% or more | 4 × IPREM | €28,800 a year |
IPREM is a public index used to calculate income; in 2026 it is €7,200 a year. In addition, the family must not own real estate other than the main home, or shares in companies. Victims of human trafficking get a free account without these conditions.
Income is proven with documents: a certificate of income from the Tax Agency, the last three payslips, or a certificate of unemployment benefit or social assistance. The bank replies within 30 days; if there is no reply, the free status is deemed granted. The account is free for two years from the date of the application and is renewed for further two-year periods. All account holders and authorized persons must meet the conditions.
If you do not have documents, from 28 October 2026 your situation can be confirmed by a report from the local social services at your registered address or where you actually live. Non-profit organizations working in the reception system for people under international protection can also provide this information. Until that date, the report is issued by the social services of the municipality where you are registered.
What documents do you need?
You need a valid identity document (a passport or a TIE card) and a document showing your status, for example a temporary protection decision. The bank must establish your identity from documents before opening an account. For foreign nationals, the anti-money laundering law names a passport, a foreigner’s identity card (TIE) or a residence card; the bank may accept other official documents with a photo only as an exception. The document must be valid.
For holders of temporary protection, the Ministry of Inclusion writes that you will need an identity document and a document confirming your residence or temporary protection; some banks may also ask for proof of income. The bank may also ask where your funds come from.
A foreign national’s tax number is the NIE. You can open an account without it, but you must provide the number within 15 days, and until then you cannot use the account. This rule does not apply to non-residents who have confirmed their status.
How does a non-resident open an account?
A non-resident confirms their status so that the account is registered as a non-resident account. For this, the police issue a non-resident status certificate (form EX-15, fee €7.31, decision within five days). The police website says the certificate is valid for three months, while the rules on transactions with non-residents (Real Decreto 1816/1991) require it to be no more than two months old when it is submitted to the bank. You can also submit a certificate from the tax authority of your country of residence or a statement of tax residence in another country. The certificate can also be requested from abroad through a Spanish consulate.
What should you do if the bank refuses?
Insist on a written explanation and challenge the refusal: first with the bank’s customer service, then with the Bank of Spain. The bank sends the refusal in writing and free of charge, with specific reasons, no later than 10 working days after you submit a complete application.
A basic account can be refused only for a few reasons:
- you did not provide the information required by the anti-money laundering law;
- there is a government decision on grounds of national security or public order;
- you already have an account in Spain with the same services.
You can challenge a refusal as follows:
- File a written complaint with the bank’s customer service. For payment services, the bank must reply within 15 working days, or within a month in exceptional cases.
- If there is no reply within a month, or the bank rejected the complaint earlier, since 28 December 2025 you can turn to the Bank of Spain. It examines the complaint within 90 calendar days.
Is the money in your account protected?
Yes. The Deposit Guarantee Fund covers up to €100,000 per depositor at one bank, regardless of the number of accounts. Money held with electronic money institutions and payment institutions is not covered by this fund.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Accepting an account bundled with mandatory products when you only need a basic one: the bank cannot require this.
- Paying more than €3 a month for a basic account.
- Not asking for a free account if your family income is below the limit.
- Accepting a verbal refusal: the bank must explain its reasons in writing.