Household money and who does what

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you will know how to keep money fair and visible between partners, and how to rebalance daily work after the move.

Start with "The household earner shift and what to decide before you move". Many two-income households become one-income in Spain, and the choices you make before the move shape everything else.

Budget figures, bank account opening, family tax deductions and family benefits are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Benefit claim deadline: You must apply for unemployment benefit within 15 business days of your job ending, or the benefit period is shortened.
• Joint account debts: Joint account holders are normally each liable to the bank for the whole of any overdraft or debt on the account.
• Non-lucrative visa: If you hold a non-lucrative visa, neither you nor your dependants may work or be self-employed.
• Family reunification: A spouse or partner on a family reunification permit can work without a separate work permit.
• Own account: You can open an account and get a debit card in your own name without your partner.
• No income: A bank generally cannot refuse a basic payment account only because you have no income.

Household money and who does what: the whole process, step by step

From before the move to your first tax year

• Decide who earns, who doesn't, and what the non-earning partner is allowed to do (read: The household earner shift and what to decide before you move): before you move, before you apply for permits

• Check whether the accompanying partner may work on your permit; family reunification and EU family permits allow it, non-lucrative permits do not: before you apply for the permit

• Sign the lease: the fianza (deposit) is 1 month's rent, and any extra guarantee is capped at 2 months' rent: when you sign the rental contract

• Open the non-earning partner's own account and debit card (read: Keeping financial independence once you are settled in Spain): soon after you arrive, once you have a NIE and proof of address

• Choose joint, separate or mixed accounts, and who is a holder or an authorised person (read: Choosing joint or separate money in Spain): in your first weeks, before you move shared money

• Agree who covers school runs and pick-ups around split-shift hours (read: Rebalancing who does what when family help disappears): before the school term starts

• Review spending together if costs run above plan (read: When costs run higher than planned and money becomes the argument): every month in your first year

• Agree how to see and share income earned in different currencies (read: Managing money when you earn in different currencies): before the first pay arrives

• If you become a Spanish tax resident (more than 183 days in a year), plan to declare worldwide income: after your first year in Spain

• File the declaration of assets abroad (Modelo 720) if foreign accounts, securities or property in any one category are worth more than 50,000 euros: between 1 January and 31 March, for the value at 31 December

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your passport — Keeping financial independence once you are settled in Spain
• TIE (foreigner identity card), issued by the police — Rebalancing who does what when family help disappears
• Empadronamiento — Rebalancing who does what when family help disappears

The home and the lease

• Proof of your address in Spain — Keeping financial independence once you are settled in Spain
• Your signed rental contract — When costs run higher than planned and money becomes the argument

Payments and receipts

• Fee payment form — When costs run higher than planned and money becomes the argument

Other documents

• The bank's own authorisation form — Keeping financial independence once you are settled in Spain
• A digital certificate — Rebalancing who does what when family help disappears

Household money and who does what: questions that cross several articles

Can my spouse work in Spain on my permit?

It depends on the permit: spouses on family reunification and EU family permits can work, but non-lucrative permit holders and their dependants cannot. Check this before you choose a permit.

Can a non-earning spouse open their own bank account in Spain?

Yes, a non-earning spouse can open an account and get a debit card in their own name, usually with a passport, a NIE and proof of address. Banks cannot generally refuse for lack of income, though online banks are often easier.

What is the difference between a joint account holder and an authorised person?

A joint holder (titular) owns the account contract and shares its debts, while an authorised person (autorizado) can only use the powers the holder gives. The authorisation can be withdrawn at any time. Read Choosing joint or separate money in Spain.

Do both partners have to report accounts held abroad?

Each Spanish tax resident reports their own holdings, and a joint account is reported by each holder at the percentage they own. The filing is needed when a category is worth more than 50,000 euros at 31 December. Read Managing money when you earn in different currencies.

How much can a landlord ask for upfront when we rent?

A landlord must ask for a fianza of 1 month's rent and may ask for extra guarantees up to 2 months' rent. This matters when you plan how much cash to keep available.