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Opening a Bank Account

Having a local bank account will make your life in Spain much easier, especially for paying rent, receiving scholarships, or managing daily expenses.

 

If you’re staying in Spain for more than one semester, we strongly recommend opening a local account. However, if you’re staying for a short period (less than 6 months), using an international or online bank (like Revolut, Wise, or N26) may be enough.

TYPES OF ACCOUNTS

  • 1. STUDENT BANK ACCOUNT

    (CUENTA ESTUDIANTE)

  • Specially designed for students, usually with no monthly fees and free ATM withdrawals.

  • 2. REGULAR CURRENT ACCOUNT

    (CUENTA CORRIENTE)

  • Standard account with small monthly maintenance fees.

  • 3. ONLINE ACCOUNT

    (NEO-BANKS)

  • 100% digital, often faster to open and available in English (e.g. Revolut, N26, Wise, BBVA Online).

DOCUMENTS YOU’LL NEED

The required documents may vary by bank, but in general you’ll need:

 

EU CITIZENS:

 

– Passport or National ID card

 

– Proof of enrolment at ESDI (Acceptance Letter)

 

– Proof of address in Spain (rental contract, dorm confirmation, or empadronamiento)

 

– NIE (if available, but sometimes not mandatory)

 

 

NON-EU CITIZENS:

 

– Passport (valid and unexpired)

 

– Student Visa / Residence Card (NIE or TIE)

 

– Proof of enrolment at ESDI

 

– Proof of Spanish address

 

– Tax Identification Number (NIE)

 

Tip: Some banks may also ask for a minimum initial deposit (usually €10–20).

MAJOR BANKS IN SPAIN

Here are some banks that are student-friendly and have English-speaking staff in Barcelona and Sabadell:

 

– CaixaBank: student accounts and digital app in English

 

– BBVA: online account opening and easy mobile banking

 

– Banco Santander: offers university partnerships (sometimes linked with student cards)

 

– Sabadell Bank: good for short-term or Erasmus students

 

– Revolut / N26 / Wise: online-only, quick setup with passport verification

DEBIT CARDS & PAYMENTS

Once your account is open, you’ll receive a debit card (tarjeta de débito).

You can use it for:

 

– Paying in shops and restaurants

 

– Taking out cash from ATMs

 

– Online purchases

 

– Contactless payments via Apple Pay / Google Pay

 

Most payments in Spain are contactless, and many students also use Bizum, a popular mobile app for instant money transfers.

IMPORTANT TIPS

– Always ask about fees (maintenance, international transfers, ATM use).

 

– Check if your bank has English-language support (most do in big cities).

 

– If you change your address or phone number, update it with your bank.

 

– Keep your NIE or passport handy when doing formalities.