The best banks for non-residents in Spain.
Leaving your loved ones behind to support them from a new country is a big step in anyone’s life. Something like this means that you will have to make many decisions, and a main problem for most migrants is banking.
We understand that you may not be sure where to open a bank account in Spain. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide that looks at the factors you need to consider, as well as some of the local financial institutions that deserve your attention.
Key considerations when choosing a bank in Spain
As with anything related to your finances, it’s worth spending a little time researching your options. Here are five factors to weigh when comparing banks in Spain.
Charges: Are there operating expenses associated with the account?
Ease of opening: Is opening this Spanish bank account an easy process?
Ease of use: Is there a mobile banking app available to account holders?
Customer service: Is it easy to get in touch with the bank’s customer service staff and will they have people available to speak your native language?
Additional features: Can you set up an overdraft with your account and also access savings accounts and other services at the bank?
Banks to consider when joining in Spain
To help you review some of the information that exists about banks in Spain , we have selected some options that you may like.
Santander
Santander is a familiar brand throughout the world, but its country of origin is Spain. Living in the company’s homeland will entitle you to open a Santander One account, and its monthly costs depend on your level of activity as a Santander customer. Customers who receive their salary in their account set up direct debits and who have signed up for at least one of the bank’s other services, such as a savings account, will not pay account fees.
As an account holder, you can enjoy free withdrawals at more than 7,000 Santander ATMs in Spain, along with 30,000 worldwide. The Santander mobile app makes it easy to manage your money, whether you’re at home or on the go, and of course you’ll have all the other financial services you’d expect from one of the world’s largest banks.
CaixaBank
Another well-known name in Spain is CaixaBank, which strives to help people who have just arrived in the country. Your HolaBank account has 24-hour phone support in five languages (English, French, German, Italian, and Russian), and also offers unlimited phone translation services in those languages.
You can sign up online. By becoming a HolaBank customer, you automatically enter the HolaBank Club, which is designed to help new immigrants. The customer service team can help you figure out the gas, electric, and water connection at your new residence, and provide a free three-way call translation service to connect you with plumbers, locksmiths, and others you may need to hire. You can even get free assistance with legal and administrative issues. While there are technically no maintenance fees for the HolaBank account, you may incur other fees depending on how you bank, so it’s important to check the fine print before joining.
BBVA
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, or BBVA to use its simpler name, is ideal for those on a tight budget. It offers an account that won’t charge you monthly fees and doesn’t expect you to make minimum deposits to stay fee-free.
One of the most striking aspects of the BBVA account is the Aqua debit card, which does not have the account number printed on it. Instead, to provide you with more security, you access your account details with the mobile app. You also have a reassuring tool to keep in touch with your advisor at the bank, called My Conversations. It allows you to chat with staff through the app, send and receive documents, and store conversations for later reference.
N26
If you like the idea of staying entirely in the digital space when banking, N26 is the best option. The N26 Standard account can be opened online in less than 10 minutes and will allow you to manage your money with the clean and simple mobile app. The account has no maintenance fees (unless your balance exceeds €50,000), and you can use a free virtual Mastercard debit card to make payments (or request a physical one for €10).
If you want a more involved service, N26 also provides premium bank accounts that offer detailed money management tools and special offers with entertainment, fitness and travel brands. In addition, N26 has customer service staff that you can chat with in English, German, Spanish, French and Italian.
