Accounts for children, and letting someone act on yours

Terms used

• gestor — A gestor is a licensed administrative agent who handles official paperwork and tax procedures on your behalf.

Key rules

• Under 14: Parents or guardians open and operate the account.
• Bank policy: Age limits for cards and independence differ by bank, so ask before you go.
• Login details: Never give a gestor or anyone else your online banking login.
• Foreign power of attorney: A power signed abroad must meet the rules for its country of issue before a Spanish bank accepts it.

Accounts for children

Parents or legal guardians open and run the account for a child under 14. The child does not sign or operate it alone.

From 14, many banks allow some independence with parental consent. A 16-year-old or 17-year-old may operate more freely if emancipated or if the parents authorise it, with near-adult capacity when emancipated. Even then, banks often ask for a parent's co-signature or authorisation on significant transactions.

Every bank sets its own policy, so ask the branch what it needs. Bring your own ID, the child's ID (a passport or NIE if the child has no Spanish ID) and the child's birth certificate; Spanish families can show the family book (libro de familia) instead. A birth certificate issued abroad follows the issuing-country rule: from another EU country, the multilingual standard form replaces the translation and needs no apostille; from a non-EU Hague Convention country, it needs an apostille; from any other non-EU country, consular legalisation. Outside the EU you also need a sworn translation if it is not in Spanish.

One parent is enough to open a child's account at most banks. For larger operations, or when separated parents share custody, the bank can ask for both parents' consent. A parent with sole custody shows the custody ruling, or the other parent's death certificate. A guardian shows the court appointment.

Cards for children

A debit card for a child needs parental consent and is linked to an account a parent supervises. Some youth and fintech products start earlier with a prepaid card the parent manages. Others only start at 14 or 18. Expect limits on spending and cash withdrawals.

Letting someone act on your account

You have three options. Pick the narrowest one that does the job.

Autorizado: limited access

An autorizado is an authorised user. The bank's own form sets what they can do. They can usually make operations, but cannot change the contract or close the account. Some banks also offer view-only access.

Apoderado: broad power

An apoderado holds a wider power that you grant through a notarial deed, called a power of attorney. Spanish banks want one of these:

• A notarial power of attorney (escritura de poder).
• The bank's own power form, signed in the branch.

The bank's legal department often reviews the document. It may reject old or generic powers, so ask for a power written specifically for banking.

Powers and other documents issued abroad

What the bank accepts depends on where the document was issued:

• In another EU country: no apostille or legalisation; a sworn translation only if it is not in Spanish and the bank asks.
• In a non-EU country that is a Hague Convention member: an apostille, and a sworn translation into Spanish if it is not in Spanish.
• In a non-EU country that is not a Hague member: full legalisation through the Spanish consulate, and a sworn translation into Spanish if it is not in Spanish.

A power of attorney must also be notarised where it is signed. Check the bank's requirements before you sign anything abroad.

Gestor or advisor

A gestor or advisor needs a specific authorisation or mandate for the tasks they handle.

If you support an adult who cannot manage money

The guardian or support person (curador) shows the court judgment appointing them, plus their own ID and the adult's ID. The bank checks the judgment with its legal department.