BANK ACCOUNTS FOR NON RESIDENTS IN SPAIN

Published: 16 December 2025
Updated: 16 December 2025
Author: Citrine PR Department

Opening a bank account in Spain as a non resident is fairly straightforward, but there are some important details to keep in mind. If you are specifically interested in the Alicante province which is part of the Valencian Community on the eastern coast of Spain, the process is similar to other regions, but there may be some regional variations in terms of local services and customer support.

Key Things to Know for Non-Residents:

1. Types of Accounts:

   • Current Account (Cuenta Corriente): Ideal for daily transactions like deposits, withdrawals, and payments.

   • Savings Account (Cuenta de Ahorros): More for saving money with a fixed or variable interest rate.

   • Non-Resident Accounts (Cuenta No Residente): This is an account specifically for people who do not reside in Spain. Some banks offer this type of account for international clients, and it typically requires a larger deposit or higher initial balance.

2. Documents Required:

   • Passport or National ID: A valid passport is the most common form of ID for non residents.

   • Proof of Address: This can be in your home country, for example, utility bills, bank statements, or similar.

   • NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero): This is a Foreign Identification Number, which is necessary for any financial transactions in Spain, including banking. You can get this at the police station or a local immigration office, or Citrine can assist you with the process through our Client Services.

   • Proof of Income or Employment: Some banks may ask for proof of income or employment, especially for savings accounts.

3. Non Resident Fees:

   • Many Spanish banks charge maintenance fees for non-resident accounts, so it’s important to compare the fees and services before choosing a bank.

4. Online Banking:

   • Spain is quite modern when it comes to online banking, and many banks offer English language services and online platforms.

Choice of Banks in Alicante Province for Non Residents

2. Banco Sabadell
   Overview: Banco Sabadell is one of the most popular banks in Spain for non residents, especially in Alicante. It has a strong presence in the Valencian Community, with many branches in Alicante and nearby towns. The bank offers a range of accounts tailored for non residents. They are known for their customer service in English and easy-to-use online banking.

   • Good English-speaking customer service

   • Wide range of banking services

   • Large network of branches in Alicante

3. Caixabank
   Overview: Caixabank is another major Spanish bank with an excellent reputation and an extensive network in Alicante. They cater well to foreigners, and you can easily set up a non resident account.

   • Good availability of English-language services

   • Offers digital banking with apps in multiple languages

   • Convenient branches and ATMs across Alicante
     

4. Banco Santander
   Overview: Santander is one of the biggest banks in Spain, and it has a significant presence in Alicante. They offer non resident accounts and many of their services are available in English. Their international banking services are robust, making it a good option for expats. However, although the same name the operation is different between Spain and the UK for example.

   • Excellent international banking services

   • Strong online banking platform

   • Easy to find branches in Alicante
     

5. BBVA
   Overview: BBVA is a major bank in Spain that offers various accounts for non residents. Known for their strong digital banking platform and modern customer service, they also provide easy access to an English language interface for online banking.

   • Excellent mobile banking and app

   • Good English-language support

   • Extensive online services
     

What to Look for When Choosing a Bank in Alicante

• Fees: Look out for any maintenance, withdrawal, or currency exchange fees. Some banks offer fee free accounts for non residents, but others charge higher fees for this service. Many banks require a minimum monthly deposit to benefit from reduced fees.

• Accessibility: Consider how easy it is to access your account. Is the bank close to where you live or work? Do they have a good network of ATMs? Is online banking available in English or your launguage?

• English Speaking Services: If you’re not fluent in Spanish, you may prefer a bank with customer service in English.

• Special Non Resident Accounts: Some banks offer accounts specifically designed for non residents, with lower fees and more tailored services.

Final Tips:

• Visit the Branch: It’s a good idea to visit the bank in person if possible, as some banks will require you to sign forms and provide documentation in person, but some will offer this service remotely.

• Be Prepared for Delays: Opening a bank account as a non resident can sometimes take longer due to paperwork and regulations, so plan ahead.

• Consider Online Banking Facilities: It is almost standard these days that many people use online banking, so visiting branches is more of a historical process. It is therefore important to evaluate the online banking facilities offered by the bank before deciding on your bank of choice.

If you would like an introduction to a bank who will contact you directly to discuss your needs, then please contact our Client Services team who can assist you further.

Tel: +34 966 877 235
WhatsApp: +34 966 877 235
Web: CitrineRealEstate.com
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the content of this article is up to date and correct, it is possible that some information has been updated or changed. The information within this article has been compiled from many different sources and should therefore be verified before reliance on the content. This article may also contain opinions of the author, which are exactly that, they are opinions. The information in this article is provided by Citrine Real Estate for “interest only” and to provide some useful information for interested readers. All bank accounts are subject to processing and approval by the bank directly.