What documents a Spanish bank asks for to open an account

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the identification number Spain gives to foreigners, used for tax, work, housing and official procedures.
• TIE — The TIE is the foreigner identity card issued to non-EU residents, and it includes the NIE.
• padrón — The padrón is the local register of residents kept by your town hall; it proves where you live.
• traducción jurada — A traducción jurada is a sworn translation by a translator officially recognised in Spain.

Key rules

• NIE: No law requires an NIE to open an account, but nearly all banks ask foreigners for one.
• Padrón: Padrón registration is not a legal requirement, so offer another proof of address if the bank asks for it.
• Passport only: A few banks open accounts with only a passport, but most want the NIE, proof of address and a reason for the account.
• Tax form: You must list every country where you are tax resident, with a tax number for each, or explain why you have none.
• Substitutes: Acceptance of a substitute document is the bank's own decision, so ask before you visit.

Banks ask for documents for two reasons: to prove who you are and where you live, and to meet anti-money-laundering and tax-reporting rules. Each item below has a purpose. If you are missing one, there is often a substitute, but the bank decides what it accepts.

Passport or ID: to prove who you are

Banks must check your identity with a reliable document. A valid passport works. If you are an EU citizen, your national ID card works too. Residents may also show the TIE or the green EU registration certificate.

If you are a non-EU citizen living in Spain, your valid ID for the bank is the TIE residence card, and you may also show your passport. If you are a UK citizen with Withdrawal Agreement rights, you show your passport and your Withdrawal Agreement residence card (TIE), which carries your NIE, in the same way as other non-EU residents.

NIE: the bank's tax number for you

Banks need a tax number to report interest and balances to the tax agency (AEAT). Residents find the NIE on the TIE or the green certificate. Non-residents get it from the police or a consulate, and many banks want the paper certificate.

A few banks, often those serving foreigners in tourist areas, and some digital banks, open non-resident accounts with only a passport, sometimes with limits. Treat this as the exception.

Proof of address: to show where you live

Banks usually accept:

• a recent utility bill (electricity, water, gas, internet or phone)
• a rental contract
• a property deed
• a bank statement showing the address
• a padrón certificate

Non-residents can give a foreign address, backed by a foreign utility bill, bank statement or official document. A utility bill or bank statement must be no more than 3 months old at most banks; some accept 6 months or more. A rental contract or padrón certificate is often accepted for longer.

Padrón: often asked, not required

Some banks, especially smaller or online ones, insist on the padrón for residents. If yours does, offer a utility bill, a rental or purchase contract, or the address on your TIE instead. Non-residents are not expected to be on the padrón.

Proof of income or funds: to show where the money comes from

Anti-money-laundering rules oblige banks to ask about the purpose of the account and the source of your money, usually in a questionnaire. They may ask for evidence such as a work contract, payslips, an employer letter, a student enrolment, pension or savings statements, or tax returns. This is more likely if you are a non-resident, deposit a lot, or ask for a loan, credit card or mortgage. A resident with a regular profile opening a basic current account is often not asked for documents.

The tax-residency form: so the bank can report where you pay tax

When you open the account you sign a form, a self-certification, that says where you are tax resident. You list every country of tax residence and a tax number for each. You also give your name, address, and date and place of birth, and say whether you are a US person. US persons add a US tax number and a W-9 form. In Spain your NIE is your tax number.

The bank reports this to the Spanish tax agency, which shares it with other countries. Tell the bank if your details change.

If a country gave you no tax number, the form lets you say why. Typical reasons are that the country does not issue them, that you have not been issued one, or that the number is still pending. Some forms ask for an equivalent, such as a social security number or your date of birth. Missing or implausible numbers can lead the bank to ask for more information or block the account.

If a document is missing

• NIE card not ready: the paper NIE certificate with your passport is often enough, because the number is what the bank needs.
• TIE not ready: some branches accept the residency resolution or the fingerprint appointment receipt (the resguardo) with your passport. Others insist on the card.
• No padrón yet: use a rental contract, a utility bill or the padrón appointment proof.

Some banks will open the account with just a passport and NIE certificate. Ask before you go, and try another branch or bank if one refuses.

Translations

Passports and IDs need no translation or apostille. Foreign utility bills, employer letters or income statements are often accepted in English. For other languages or alphabets, the bank may ask for a sworn translation (traducción jurada). An apostille is seldom needed for an ordinary personal account. The bank's compliance team decides, so ask first.

What a public document needs depends on the country that issued it:

• EU country: no apostille, and a multilingual standard form can replace a translation.
• Non-EU country in the Hague Convention: an apostille, plus a sworn translation if it is not in Spanish, when the bank asks for it.
• Non-EU country outside the Hague Convention: full legalisation through that country's foreign ministry and the Spanish consulate, plus a sworn translation if it is not in Spanish, when the bank asks for it.

Joint accounts, children and freelancers

• Joint account (spouse, partner or anyone else): every holder brings their own passport, NIE and proof of address and signs their own tax-residency form.
• Child under 18: a parent or legal guardian opens the account with their own documents and the child's birth certificate.
• Freelancer or self-employed: bring your registration as self-employed (alta de autónomo) or, if you work from abroad, your invoices, contracts or latest foreign tax return as proof of income.

If you are a company founder opening a business account

A business account needs company documents as well as your personal ones. Bring:

• The company deed (escritura)
• The company tax number (CIF)
• Proof of the beneficial owners
• The administrator's ID

Timeline and deadlines

• Sign the tax-residency form when you open the account: on the day you open the account
• Tell the bank if your tax residency or other details change: within 30 days of the change

Checklist

• Ask the bank which documents it wants for your situation, resident or non-resident.
• Bring a proof of address under 3 months old.
• Note your tax number for each country of tax residence, or the reason you have none.
• Prepare your answer on why you want the account and where your money comes from.