Showing money held in foreign currency or foreign accounts

Key rules

• Documents: The certificate is apostilled and translated like any bank certificate from abroad.

Converting your balance to euros

The consulate compares your funds with a euro threshold, so a balance in another currency must be shown in euros. Ask your bank to state the euro equivalent on the balance certificate, converted at the European Central Bank reference rate on the day the bank issues it. The consulate uses that figure and does not convert again, so your result is fixed on the issue date.

With balances in several currencies, ask for one certificate per account, each with its euro equivalent, and check that the euro totals add up to your threshold.

Income paid in another currency

Income in another currency (a salary, fees or a pension) is converted to euros at the European Central Bank reference rate for the month of each payment, and the euro figures are used for the income test.

Apostille and translation

The certificate follows the notary, apostille and sworn translation path on Bank statements and source of funds: what consulates accept. Your foreign statements need no apostille and are translated unless they are in Spanish or English.

What to do

1. Take the statement period from your consulate's checklist (3 to 6 months by default).
2. Order the certificate with the euro equivalent, then notary, apostille and translation, inside the 30 days before you file; download the statements last.
3. Open a Spanish account only after you arrive, for rent, the NIE and taxes.