Bank Accounts in Spain: Which Digital Banks Give You a Spanish IBAN? Complete Guide for UK Expats

One of the first questions UK expats ask when moving to Spain is: "Do I need a Spanish bank account?" The follow-up is always: "Can I just use a digital bank like Revolut or Wise, or do I actually need a proper Spanish IBAN?"

The answer? It depends on your situation—but a Spanish IBAN is increasingly important, and yes, you can get one from digital banks. This guide breaks down your options, explains what you actually need, and recommends the best accounts for different scenarios.

Why You Need a Spanish IBAN (And When You Really Do)

Having a Spanish bank account with a proper IBAN matters more than you might think:

You'll definitely need a Spanish IBAN if you:

• Pay rent or utilities in Spain (landlords and utility companies often require SEPA direct debits)
• Have a Spanish employer (they won't pay to a UK account)
• Pay Spanish taxes
• Sign government contracts or apply for services requiring automatic payments
• Want to link your account to Spanish payment systems (Bizum, etc.)
• Receive payments from Spanish clients or the Spanish government
• Set up insurance or subscription services

A UK bank account or digital-only multi-currency account (Wise, Revolut) might be OK if you:

• Only visit Spain occasionally
• Earn and spend money in multiple currencies
• Don't need regular Spanish merchant integrations
• Are just starting out and want to keep options open

The reality: Most expats living in Spain long-term end up needing a Spanish IBAN. The question is how quickly, and which type.

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Resident vs Non-Resident Accounts: What's the Difference?

This is critical to understand before opening any account.

Resident Accounts

Who can open them: People living in Spain with legal residency (NIE/TIE)

Documents needed:

• Valid passport
• NIE (Spanish tax ID) or TIE (residence card)
• Proof of Spanish address (padrón certificate, utility bill, rental contract)
• Proof of employment or income (sometimes)

Timeline: Same-day to 1 week (especially with digital banks)

Advantages:

• ✅ Better fees (often no monthly charge)
• ✅ Full access to Spanish banking services
• ✅ Can pay taxes and utilities more easily
• ✅ Better interest rates (sometimes)
• ✅ Can apply for loans and credit products

Disadvantages:

• ✗ Need to be a legal resident of Spain
• ✗ Need NIE (which takes time to get if you've just arrived)

Non-Resident Accounts

Who can open them: People without Spanish residency (tourists, digital nomads, property owners)

Documents needed:

• Valid passport
• Proof of address in your home country
• Certificate of Non-Residency (certificado de no residente) – usually required for traditional banks
• Tax ID from your home country (optional for some banks)

Timeline:

• Digital banks (N26, Revolut): 15-30 minutes online
• Traditional banks: 1-2 weeks (may require in-person visit)

Advantages:

• ✅ Can open without Spanish residency
• ✅ No NIE required (for some banks)
• ✅ Digital banks are instant
• ✅ Good for temporary stays or property owners

Disadvantages:

• ✗ Non-Resident Certificate valid for only 3 months
• ✗ May have higher fees
• ✗ May require in-person visit to a branch (traditional banks)
• ✗ Limited access to some Spanish services
• ✗ Must convert to resident account when you get residency

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The Key Question: Which Digital Banks Give You a Spanish IBAN?

This is the big one. Here's the honest breakdown:

Digital Banks That Give You a Spanish IBAN

1. N26 ✅ Spanish IBAN (Best Overall for Expats)

Spanish IBAN? YES – Full ES IBAN (24 digits)

Resident or Non-Resident? Both (but different processes)

How it works:

• Non-Residents: Can open online with just passport, selfie, and email. Get account in 10 minutes.
• Residents: Get full ES IBAN once you have Spanish residency.

Cost:

• Standard plan: €0/month
• Smart plan: €4.90/month (includes travel insurance)
• You plan: €9.90/month (investment features)

What you get:

• Spanish IBAN
• Virtual debit card instantly, physical card in 5-7 days
• BIZUM support (instant person-to-person transfers – crucial in Spain)
• Integrated Wise transfers for international payments
• Excellent English support
• German bank guarantee (up to €100,000 protection)
• Cash26 feature (withdraw/deposit cash at partner retailers)

Best for: Most UK expats moving to Spain. It's reliable, has true BIZUM, and works for both residents and non-residents.

Gotchas:

• Some features (like savings accounts with interest) require Spanish residency
• You need Spanish residency to maintain certain account types long-term
• Not all retailers accept Cash26

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2. Revolut ✅ Spanish IBAN (Conditional)

Spanish IBAN? YES – But only if you're a Spanish resident

Resident or Non-Resident? Residents only

How it works:

• You must have Spanish residency (NIE/TIE) and be registered as a Spanish resident
• After 2+ months, Revolut will invite you to migrate to a Spanish IBAN
• No invite = you don't meet residency criteria

Cost:

• Free plan: €0/month (limited features)
• Plus plan: €4.99/month
• Premium plan: €12.99/month
• Metal plan: €19.99/month

What you get:

• Spanish IBAN (eventually)
• Multi-currency accounts
• BIZUM support
• No foreign exchange fees (excellent for currency conversions)
• Insurance benefits (depending on plan)
• Excellent app

Best for: People who are already Spanish residents, or planning to be. Not ideal if you're just arriving.

Gotchas:

• You can't open with a Spanish IBAN as a non-resident
• Must be a Spanish tax resident
• Can take 2-3 months to get Spanish IBAN invite even as resident
• Won't help you initially if you're just arriving

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3. Currencies Direct ✅ Virtual Spanish IBAN (Unique Option)

Spanish IBAN? YES – Virtual IBAN (vIBAN) through Currencies Direct

Resident or Non-Resident? Both

How it works:

• You don't need NIE or TIE
• Open a Currencies Direct account online
• Request a virtual Spanish IBAN (vIBAN)
• It's not a full bank account, but a payment account that acts like one

Cost: Varies depending on service (generally free to €20/month depending on plan)

What you get:

• Virtual Spanish IBAN you can use for receiving payments
• Euro account
• No NIE/TIE required
• Can receive SEPA transfers
• Good for contractors and freelancers

Best for: Self-employed people, contractors, or anyone needing a Spanish IBAN without residency requirements.

Gotchas:

• Not a full bank account (limited functionality)
• Doesn't include BIZUM
• Focused on receiving payments, less on general banking
• Limited to business/contractor use-cases
• You'll likely need a second account for personal banking

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Digital Banks That DON'T Give a Spanish IBAN

❌ Wise (Multi-Currency Account)

Spanish IBAN? NO

What you get: Multi-currency account with UK IBAN, excellent exchange rates, low fees

Cost: €0-13/month depending on plan

Why it's still useful:

• ✅ Excellent for moving money between countries
• ✅ Best exchange rates on the market
• ✅ Integrated with N26 (so you can use it alongside N26)
• ✅ Works in 190+ countries

The problem:

• You cannot use it for Spanish direct debits (landlords, utilities)
• Landlords won't accept a UK IBAN
• You can't link it to Bizum
• Not recognized by Spanish government agencies

Best for: Supplementary account for international transfers. Use alongside N26, not instead of it.

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❌ PayPal/Stripe/Square

Spanish IBAN? NO – Only business payment processors, not personal banking

The reality: These are fine for receiving customer payments, but they're not bank accounts and won't work for paying rent.

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Comparison Table: Digital Banks for UK Expats in Spain

Bank	Spanish IBAN	For Non-Residents	For Residents	Monthly Cost	BIZUM	Best For
N26	✅ YES	✅ YES (non-resident)	✅ YES (resident)	€0-9.90	✅ YES	Most expats – reliable and works for both
Revolut	✅ YES (eventually)	❌ NO	✅ YES (after 2-3 months)	€0-19.99	✅ YES	Spanish residents only
Currencies Direct	✅ Virtual IBAN	✅ YES	✅ YES	€0-20+	❌ NO	Freelancers/contractors
Wise	❌ NO	✅ YES	✅ YES	€0-13	❌ NO	International transfers (supplement)
PayPal	❌ NO	✅ YES	✅ YES	€0+	❌ NO	Receiving payments only

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Traditional Spanish Banks (When You Need More Than Digital)

If you're staying in Spain long-term or need full banking services, consider traditional banks alongside (or instead of) digital banks.

Best Traditional Banks for Expats

BBVA

Spanish IBAN? ✅ YES

For Non-Residents? ✅ YES (online or in-branch)

Cost: Free to €20/month

Process: Can open fully online with video ID verification

English support: ✅ YES

Why choose it: Spain's biggest bank, huge ATM network, strong online banking

Best for: People who want tradition, stability, and branch support

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Banco Santander

Spanish IBAN? ✅ YES

For Non-Residents? ✅ YES (online with video ID)

Cost: Free to €25/month

Process: Online application with video verification

English support: ✅ YES (large branches)

Why choose it: One of Spain's largest, excellent for expats, good English support

Best for: People wanting a "real" bank with branch access

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CaixaBank / HolaBank

Spanish IBAN? ✅ YES

For Non-Residents? ✅ YES (HolaBank online option)

Cost: €0-20/month

Process: Can open online as non-resident (HolaBank)

English support: ✅ YES (HolaBank website is English-friendly)

Why choose it: Good for non-residents, decent digital tools

Best for: People wanting a blend of digital and traditional banking

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Banco Sabadell

Spanish IBAN? ✅ YES

For Non-Residents? ✅ YES ("Key Account" specifically for non-residents)

Cost: Low maintenance fees

Process: In-branch (though some online options available)

English support: ✅ YES

Why choose it: Specifically designed for non-residents, multiple offices

Best for: Non-residents wanting an established bank without residency requirements

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How to Open an Account: Step-by-Step

Option A: Digital Bank (N26) – Fastest Route

Time: 15-30 minutes Cost: €0/month (standard plan) Requirements: Passport, email, selfie

Steps:

1. Download N26 app
2. Click "Open account"
3. Select Spain as country
4. Take a selfie and scan passport
5. Verify email
6. Account approved immediately
7. Get virtual card instantly, physical card in 5-7 days
8. Spanish IBAN assigned

That's it. You can start using it within minutes.

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Option B: Traditional Bank (Santander/BBVA) – Hybrid Route

Time: 1-2 weeks Cost: €0-15/month Requirements: Passport, proof of address, possibly non-resident certificate

Steps:

1. Visit bank website and book online appointment
2. Prepare documents (passport, proof of address, proof of income)
3. Attend video verification appointment
4. Answer security questions
5. Sign documents digitally
6. Bank processes (1-3 days)
7. Receive debit card by post (5-10 days)
8. Activate and use

Advantage: More recognized for Spanish purposes (taxes, utilities, government)

Disadvantage: Takes longer, may require more documentation

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What About Non-Resident Certificates?

What is it? A "Certificado de No Residente" is an official document from Spanish police proving you're not a tax resident of Spain.

Who needs it? Traditional banks typically require it for non-residents. Digital banks usually don't.

How to get it:

• Visit a Spanish National Police Station (Policía Nacional)
• Take your passport and a form (available at the station)
• Takes about 1-2 weeks
• Valid for 3 months

Can the bank get it for you? Some banks (BBVA, Sabadell) can request it on your behalf for a fee (€20-30).

Do you need it for digital banks? No – N26 doesn't require it at all.

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The Reality: What Most Expats Actually Do

Based on expat experience, here's the practical path most people take:

Week 1 (Just arrived):

• Open N26 account online from home (before arriving)
• Get Spanish IBAN, use it for rent, utilities, bills immediately
• Total time: 20 minutes, cost: €0

Month 1:

• Register on padrón (municipal register)
• Apply for NIE at police station
• Use N26 while waiting for NIE

Month 2:

• Receive NIE
• Open a traditional bank account (Santander/BBVA) as backup
• Keep N26 as primary account
• Total accounts: 2 (one digital, one traditional)

Ongoing:

• Use N26 for daily spending and most payments
• Use traditional bank for anything requiring full bank status
• Use Wise for international transfers (linked to N26)

Why this works:

• ✅ N26 is instant and works as non-resident
• ✅ Spanish IBAN covers 80% of needs
• ✅ Traditional bank as backup for edge cases
• ✅ Minimal cost (N26 is free)
• ✅ Flexibility (can change plans later)

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Final Checklist: Choosing Your Bank

If you're a non-resident (just visiting or new arrival):

• ✅ Open N26 (instant, Spanish IBAN)
• ✅ Add Wise as secondary (international transfers)
• ✅ Consider traditional bank if you need branch support

If you're a Spanish resident (have NIE):

• ✅ Open N26 (if you haven't already)
• ✅ Open Revolut (eventually get Spanish IBAN)
• ✅ Open traditional bank (Santander/BBVA) as primary backup

If you're a freelancer/contractor:

• ✅ Consider Currencies Direct for invoicing
• ✅ Plus N26 for personal banking
• ✅ Plus Wise for international client payments

If you're moving permanently:

• ✅ Start with N26 (before you arrive)
• ✅ Get traditional bank account once settled
• ✅ Keep N26 as primary (faster, simpler)

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Common Questions

Q: Can I open a Spanish IBAN account from the UK before moving? A: Yes! N26 and Wise can be opened remotely. Traditional banks usually require you to be in Spain.

Q: Do I need to close my UK bank account? A: No. Keep it open for paying UK bills, receiving UK income, etc. No law requires you to close it.

Q: What happens to my Spanish account if I leave Spain? A: You can keep it. Most banks allow non-residents to maintain accounts. Your resident account may convert to non-resident status.

Q: Can I have multiple Spanish bank accounts? A: Yes. Many expats have 2-3 (one digital, one traditional, one savings). No limit.

Q: Will my Spanish IBAN work with Bizum? A: Only if your bank supports it. N26 does. Wise doesn't. Check before opening.

Q: How long does a physical debit card take? A: N26: 5-7 days. Traditional banks: 7-14 days. Digital-only options (Wise): Uses linked debit card, ships to your address.

Q: Can I get a loan or mortgage with a digital bank account? A: No. Digital banks are for payments only. You need a traditional bank for credit products.

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Bottom Line

For most UK expats moving to Spain: Open N26 first, then add a traditional bank later.

N26 gives you a Spanish IBAN instantly, works as both resident and non-resident, supports Bizum, and costs nothing. It solves your immediate problem (paying rent, setting up utilities) while you sort out your residency and get your NIE.

You don't need to rush into traditional banking—but you'll probably want one eventually for taxes, loans, or anything requiring "official" banking status.

Start with N26. You'll thank yourself when you're paying your first month's rent the day after arriving in Spain.

Good luck with your Spanish banking!