How to Open a Bank Account in Spain Without a NIE: A Complete Guide for Expats, Digital Nomads and Entrepreneurs

You have just landed in Spain with your Digital Nomad Visa, your Entrepreneur (Startup) Visa or a self-employment residence authorisation, and you hit an obstacle that is as common as it is frustrating: to set up direct debits for your social security contributions, pay your first taxes or receive payments, you need a working bank account, but you do not have your NIE yet. The good news is that it is indeed possible to open a bank account in Spain without a NIE, using only your passport. In this guide we explain exactly how to do it, what requirements banks ask for, which banks accept the passport as an identification document and, above all, which ones allow you to set up direct debits for mandatory payments such as Social Security and the self-employed (autónomo) contribution from day one.

Bankinter Digital Account

No fees · Spanish IBAN · 100% online

Open account →

Can you open a bank account in Spain without a NIE?

The short answer is yes. Spanish law does not require you to have a NIE to be the holder of a bank account. What the law requires of banks, under anti-money-laundering regulations (Law 10/2010), is to correctly identify the customer and understand the source of their funds. That identification can be carried out with your passport, without a NIE, provided you supply the additional documentation each institution considers necessary.

In practice, this means a newly arrived foreigner can open a non-resident account by presenting a passport and a certificate of non-residence. Bear in mind, however, that conditions, fees and documentary requirements vary from one institution to another, and even from one branch to another, so it is always advisable to confirm the details directly with the bank before starting the process.

Common requirements to open an account with a passport

Although each bank has its own policy, the documentation usually requested from a foreigner without a NIE includes:

• Valid passport (or national ID card if you are an EU citizen).
• Certificate of non-residence issued by the National Police or by the consulate of your country of residence.
• Proof of address, which can be a rental contract, a utility bill (water, electricity, gas, internet) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
• Spanish contact details: a mobile phone number with the +34 prefix and an email address are often required.
• Proof of activity or income: payslip, contract, a statement of your professional activity or any document evidencing the source of funds.

Some institutions may also require a sworn translation of documents drafted in another language. Neobanks and digital banks tend to simplify these requirements, while traditional banks are usually more thorough, especially with non-EU customers.

Resident vs. non-resident account: the key distinction

Before choosing a bank, it is essential to understand that Spain has two categories of accounts for foreigners, and the document you hold determines which one you can access at the outset.

Resident account

Designed for people with tax residence in Spain. To open it you need your valid DNI or NIE. It gives you access to the full range of banking services (Bizum, financing, investment products, mortgages) and, generally, better conditions and fewer fees. This is the account you will eventually migrate to once you have your NIE and your administrative situation is settled.

Non-resident account

Aimed at those who are not yet tax residents in Spain. It is opened with a passport (or ID document) plus the certificate of non-residence. It lets you operate normally (deposits, transfers, debit and credit cards), but it may carry maintenance fees (typically between €5 and €15 per month at traditional banks) and, occasionally, limitations on services such as Bizum or certain online operations.

The certificate of non-residence: what it is and when you need it

The certificate of non-residence is the document confirming that you do not have legal or tax residence in Spain. Together with your passport, it is the piece that allows most traditional banks to open an account for you without a NIE.

You can obtain it in two ways:

• By requesting it at a National Police station in Spain.
• Through the Spanish consular office in your country of origin.

In many cases, the bank itself offers to process it for you, although it usually charges a fee for the service. Keep two important details in mind: the certificate has a limited validity, and some institutions require you to renew it periodically while you keep your non-resident status, which may force you to repeat the procedure. For profiles planning to settle in Spain on a stable basis, it is therefore wise to plan to obtain the NIE as soon as possible and migrate to a resident account.

Traditional banks that allow you to open an account with a passport

Spanish traditional banking is the most solid option when you need a fully operational account for administrative procedures, because it issues a Spanish IBAN (ES…) and is integrated with the public administration. These are the main institutions that accept opening an account for foreigners:

Bankinter

It allows non-residents to open an account by presenting a valid passport, a certificate of non-residence and proof of address. It has specific products for foreigners and expats, including a special non-resident account and foreign-currency accounts. It is covered by the Deposit Guarantee Fund (protection up to €100,000 per holder). We dedicate a full section to it below, as it is our main recommendation for this profile.

Pros: solid institution, Spanish IBAN, multilingual support, the option to handle part of the process online or by phone, and a very competitive digital account once you are a resident.
Cons: traditionally oriented towards profiles with a certain level of assets; its remunerated digital account is designed for customers with a DNI/NIE and residence in Spain.

BBVA

One of the most flexible institutions for foreigners. It allows you to open an account online with your passport and, in some cases for non-residents, without a NIE, through its non-resident account product. It usually asks for a passport, a tax-residence declaration and, depending on the case, proof of income.

Pros: agile digital process (opening in 24–72 hours if the documentation is complete), a large branch network and a powerful app.
Cons: conditions can vary by branch, and the in-person experience may differ from the online one.

Banco Santander

Somewhat stricter than BBVA and, for the standard account, it usually requires a NIE or TIE. However, it has specific products aimed at international customers and may request the certificate of non-residence for non-resident accounts.

Pros: broad international coverage, useful if you operate in several countries.
Cons: higher documentary requirements for standard banking.

CaixaBank (HolaBank)

It allows you to open an account with your passport, starting with its basic payment account. For this, a certificate of non-residence, the empadronamiento and your passport are usually enough. Its HolaBank programme is specifically designed for foreigners and expats.

Pros: a programme focused on the international customer, a wide network of ATMs and branches.
Cons: possible fees on the non-resident account.

Banco Sabadell

It offers the well-known Expat Account, aimed at non-residents. It has improved its digital onboarding, although in practice the process for foreigners without a NIE can be more cumbersome than at BBVA.

Pros: a product designed for expats, support in several languages.
Cons: the digital process for those who do not yet have a NIE can still be awkward.

Neobanks and digital banks: speed with fine print

For your first days in Spain, or if you simply want to avoid bureaucracy, neobanks are the fastest route. Revolut, N26, Wise, Bunq or Bnext let you open an account in minutes from your phone, usually without requiring a certificate of non-residence, proof of income or proof of residence. You only need your passport or ID and an address in Spain or the EU.

However, here is the fine print that most affects digital nomads and the self-employed: many of these neobanks issue a foreign IBAN and not all of them are integrated with the Spanish administration.

• Revolut: issues a Lithuanian IBAN (LT). Although SEPA regulations allow direct debits with any European IBAN, Revolut is not registered with the Spanish Social Security Treasury, so it is not valid for setting up the autónomo direct debit or collecting benefits.
• N26: it is a licensed bank and, since September 2023, collaborates with Social Security. This means that with a Spanish IBAN (ES…) you can pay your autónomo contribution and receive benefits. The caveat: to obtain a Spanish IBAN you need to prove residence in Spain (NIE or equivalent), and N26 is still not fully integrated with the Tax Agency for all procedures.
• Wise: excellent for multi-currency and international collections, but the IBAN is not Spanish, which makes it a poor choice as a main account for recurring official payments.

Which accounts let you set up direct debits for Social Security, the autónomo contribution and taxes?

This is the decisive point for the profiles this guide is aimed at. If you have a Digital Nomad Visa, a self-employment residence or an entrepreneur authorisation, you will need to set up direct debits for mandatory payments very soon. Not every account works for this.

• Autónomo contribution and Social Security benefits: these require an institution registered with the Spanish Social Security Treasury. All Spanish traditional banks are. Among neobanks, N26 allows it with a Spanish IBAN; Revolut, as of today, does not.
• Taxes (income tax, VAT, quarterly forms) with the Tax Agency: Spanish traditional banking is fully integrated as a collaborating institution. Some neobanks still have limitations on this point.
• Recurring bills (rent, utilities, insurance): here any SEPA IBAN usually works, although a Spanish IBAN reduces the risk of incidents.

Therefore, to set up direct debits for administrative and tax obligations safely, the general recommendation is clear: an account with a Spanish IBAN at a traditional bank, ideally opened as a non-resident with your passport and migrated to a resident account as soon as you have your NIE.

Comparison: banks for foreigners in Spain

Indicative table. Conditions, fees and integration with the administration may change; always verify the up-to-date information with each institution before signing up.

Our recommendation: Bankinter, the option that best fits this profile

After analysing the available alternatives, our firm recommends Bankinter as the reference institution for expats, digital nomads, entrepreneurs and self-employed foreigners who need a solid, fully operational account in Spain. The reason is simple: it combines the best of both worlds. On one hand, it is a Spanish traditional bank with an ES IBAN, registered with Social Security and the Tax Agency, which guarantees that you can set up direct debits for your autónomo contribution, your taxes and other obligations without the problems that foreign IBANs cause. On the other hand, it offers a modern digital experience and a fee-free maintenance account that makes it highly competitive against neobanks.

For newly arrived non-residents, Bankinter lets you open an account with a passport, a certificate of non-residence and proof of address, and it even has specific products for foreigners and foreign-currency accounts. And once you obtain your NIE and consolidate your residence, you can move to its Digital Account, designed for your day-to-day life: 100% online, with no maintenance fees, a free debit card, Bizum, free instant SEPA transfers and a remunerated balance. It is the natural transition from a non-resident account to your main account in Spain.

As of the publication date of this article, Bankinter offers new customers a 2.50% APR (TAE) on the balance (up to €100,000), one of the most attractive on the market for an account with no commitment requirements. Keep in mind that these promotional conditions have a limited validity and may change, so we recommend checking the up-to-date information directly on the institution’s official website before signing up.

Your Bankinter Digital Account,
no fees and 100% online

Open it in minutes with a Spanish IBAN, ready to set up direct debits for your autónomo contribution, Social Security and taxes.

✔ No fees
⚡ Open in minutes
💳 Free card
📈 2.50% APR*

Open my account now →

No commitment · Check the current conditions on Bankinter’s official website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a NIE mandatory to open a bank account in Spain?

No. It is possible to open a non-resident account using only your passport and a certificate of non-residence. The NIE will later allow you to convert that account into a resident account with better conditions.

Can I open an account with a passport if I am a digital nomad?

Yes. As a Digital Nomad Visa holder you can open an account with your passport. To set up direct debits for your obligations (autónomo contribution, taxes), the most advisable option is an account with a Spanish IBAN at an institution registered with Social Security and the Tax Agency.

Can a Revolut or Wise account be used to pay the autónomo contribution?

It is not advisable. Revolut is not registered with Social Security and issues a foreign IBAN, which can cause direct-debit rejections. Wise does not offer a Spanish IBAN either. For recurring official payments, prioritise an account with an ES IBAN.

What is the certificate of non-residence and where do I get it?

It is the document confirming that you are not a tax resident in Spain. You request it at a National Police station or at the Spanish consulate in your country. Many banks process it for you for a fee.

Does a non-resident account have fees?

It may. At traditional banks a maintenance fee is common (roughly between €5 and €15 per month) while you keep your non-resident status. When you update your account to resident with your NIE, those fees usually disappear.

Can I receive my salary or payments in a non-resident account?

Yes, as long as the institution accepts the transfers and you communicate your IBAN to whoever needs to pay you. For ongoing professional activity in Spain, a fully operational account with a Spanish IBAN is advisable.

How do I switch from a non-resident account to a resident account?

You simply give your NIE to the bank so it can update your status. Normally you do not need to open a new account or change your IBAN.

Conclusion and recommendations by profile

Opening a bank account in Spain without a NIE is perfectly possible: the key is to choose the right option for your situation and, above all, for your administrative obligations. Here are our recommendations by profile:

• Digital nomad: if you need to operate right away, a neobank can serve as a bridge solution for the first few days. But to set up direct debits for the autónomo contribution and taxes without trouble, open an account with a Spanish IBAN at a traditional bank such as Bankinter as soon as possible.
• Entrepreneur with a Startup Visa: prioritise a solid institution, with a Spanish IBAN and good digital operability, able to support the growth of your project. Bankinter is a particularly good fit for this profile.
• Self-employed / self-employment residence: your absolute priority is to set up direct debits for Social Security and the autónomo contribution without errors. Avoid foreign IBANs and choose a traditional bank registered with the administration.
• Investor or non-resident with occasional ties: a non-resident account with a passport and a certificate of non-residence covers your needs; also consider foreign-currency accounts if you operate in several currencies.

In all cases, remember that the best time to put your finances in order in Spain is from the very beginning: a clear banking track record and a Spanish IBAN make it easier not only to pay taxes and contributions, but also future residence or citizenship procedures.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial or legal advice. Banking conditions, fees, documentary requirements and integration with the administration may vary depending on the institution and each applicant’s documentary situation. Always verify the official, up-to-date information before making any decision.