Catalan
English
SpanishThis risk indicator refers to Online Account
1 / 6
This number is indicative of the risk of the product, being 1/6 indicative of lower risk and 6/6 of higher risk.
Banco Santander is attached to the Credit Institutions Deposit Guarantee Fund. For money deposits the maximum guaranteed amount is 100,000 euros per depositor in each credit institution.
Banking for foreigners in Spain
Make your life in Spain easier from day one
Everything you need to manage your money, settle in and bring your plans to life.
How can we help you?
Manage your day-to-day finances
Everything you need to make payments, send money and manage your account from anywhere.
Getting settled in Spain
Services to help you through the practicalities of settling in Spain.
Buy or protect your home
Solutions to help you buy, insure and protect your home in Spain.
Build your future
Training, job opportunities and tools to help you continue growing both personally and professionally.
It all starts with an account
From day one, you’ll have your Online Account with no fees1 and no conditions.
Pay and withdraw cash with your card
A Santander debit card with no issuance or maintenance fee, which you can activate and use on your mobile. Withdraw cash free of charge using your debit card at Santander's 30,000 ATMs worldwide.
Manage your money wherever you are
With your Online Account, which has a €0 maintenance fee, you can check your transactions, make transfers and much more, 24/7, with a Spanish IBAN.
Open your Online Account from anywhere using your passport, NIE, TIE or DNI.
Start with an account and stay for everything else
Because an account opens the door to so much more.
Access your bank 24/7 with the Santander España App
- Check your account transactions at a glance.
- Activate your card so you can start using it even before it arrives.
- Withdraw cash from contactless ATMs.
- Switch your cards on and off, or block them. View your PIN and CVV.
- Take out Santander products and services without having to go anywhere.
- Log in and confirm transactions securely using your fingerprint or Face ID.
Get started today – it will only take a few minutes
You can open your Online Account from your home country or once you've set foot in Spain.
1
Enter your details
Simply upload a photo of your Spanish national identity card (DNI), foreigner identity card (TIE) or, if you're a non-resident, your passport, and your details will be filled in automatically. It really is that quick! Make sure you have it ready.
2
Verify your identity
You can do this online by video (we'll need to ask for access to your camera). If you prefer, you can always verify your identity at one of our branches.
3
Read and sign online
Read the documentation carefully and sign it using the code we’ll send to your email address. If everything’s in order, you’ll receive a confirmation by email.
Your account ready in minutes
Ready to settle into your new life?
We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Health insurance for your residence permit
Santander Aegon Health Insurance – Network of medical service providers (no co-payments) and reimbursement options6:
- Valid health insurance you’ll need when applying for a visa or residence permit in Spain.
- We'll provide you with the official certificate you’ll need to include along with your visa or residence permit application in Spain.
- No co-payments.
When the time comes to buy your home
Santander Mortgages7
If buying a home is part of your plans, explore all our mortgage options here.
Mortgages7 for non-residents
Buying a home in Spain is possible, even if you live abroad.
Home Insurance6
Protect your home against the unexpected and enjoy greater peace of mind.
Alarms8
Because you can’t be home all the time, we’ll help you protect your home.
Build your future
Training, employment opportunities and tools to help you continue growing
Free training
Access free certified online courses in a range of disciplines through Santander Open Academy.
Language courses
Improve your language skills with free certified courses delivered through Santander Open Academy.
Employment opportunities
Discover job opportunities tailored to your profile through Universia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you're a foreign national who is not resident in Spain, you can still open a bank account. To do so, you'll need an identity document (usually your passport).
The term ‘non-resident’ applies to any individual (except diplomatic personnel) whose habitual residence or registered address is outside Spain. It also means that you don’t pay taxes as a Spanish resident or haven’t acquired the tax status requiring you to pay taxes as a Spanish national (even though you are a foreign national).
If you’re a foreign national and a tax resident in Spain, you must identify yourself using your NIE (foreigner identity number). If you’re a citizen of a European Union country, you'll need to provide your EU Citizen Registration Certificate together with your passport.
Not quite. You can currently open an Online Account with Santander Spain using your passport from any of the following countries: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. We’ll be adding more countries soon!
If your country isn’t on the list, you can still open an account with your passport at any Santander branch in Spain.
Santander Health Insurance offers two options: choose from a broad network of medical providers (with no co-payments) or opt for the reimbursement option. Both are valid for applying for a residence permit in Spain, as they meet all the requirements for this type of application, with no co-payments and comprehensive cover for the entire duration of your stay. Once you've taken out your policy, you can also request a certificate confirming that your health insurance meets all the official requirements.
The health insurance certificate must confirm that you have taken out private health insurance. The policy must cover all the risks normally covered by Spain’s public healthcare system and provide comprehensive cover for the entire period of your residence. The certificate must also be issued by the insurer and clearly state that these requirements are met. Once you’ve taken out your policy, you can request the certificate by calling +34 91 563 20 00.
Information on the Online Account
Before opening the account, it is important that you read and carefully review the following documents:
Pre-contractual information. This explains how the account works and describes its main features. The key information is highlighted in bold.
Fee Information Document. This sets out the fees payable for the most common services associated with the account.
Join the more than 6 million people already using the Santander España App
Reviews verified in April 2026.
4,7 /5
Based on 475k reviews on Google Play.
4,8 /5
Based on 420k reviews on the App Store.
Get started today – open your Online Account
Join the thousands of customers already enjoying its benefits, wherever you are, using your passport, NIE, TIE or DNI.
Transparency without the fine print
At Banco Santander, we want you to make decisions with all the information at hand and no nasty surprises. That’s why we explain the conditions of our promotions clearly and simply, avoiding the dreaded fine print. Here, transparency comes first.
1. Non-interest bearing account (nominal interest rate 0%, AER 0%. For new customers only.
2. €0 issuance and maintenance fee for individual customers. Note that a currency exchange fee may apply.
3. View Bizum's terms and conditions here. Bizum is a multi-bank service. View the full list of participating banks at www.bizum.es. The following transaction limits apply: Maximum amount per payment transaction: €1,000. Minimum amount per payment transaction: €0.50. Maximum amount that can be sent per day: €2,000. Maximum amount that can be sent per month: €5,000. Maximum amount a customer can receive per day: €2,000. Maximum number of transactions a customer can receive per month: 60. Maximum number of payment requests a customer can send per month: 60. Maximum number of recipients that can be included in a multiple payment or payment request: 30. Maximum amount per transaction between an individual and an online merchant: €15,000. Minimum amount per transaction: €0.01.
4. Simply select the local currency at the card terminal and the corresponding exchange rate to euros will be applied.
5. Issuance of the card is subject to prior approval by the Bank. This card allows you to pay in instalments (revolving credit). Remember to use your credit card responsibly. Overreliance on credit carries a risk of over-indebtedness with long-term consequences that could affect your financial planning.
6. Insurance policies arranged by Santander Mediación Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado, S.A. (Tax ID No. A28360311) through its distribution network, Banco Santander, S.A. Santander Vida Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. and Aegon España, S.A.U. de Seguros y Reaseguros, acting under a co-insurance arrangement, are the insurance companies providing the health insurance policy. Santander Generales Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. is the insurance company providing the home insurance policy. The Operator is registered with the Directorate-General for Insurance and Pension Funds (DGSFP) under registration number OV-0042. Professional liability and financial capacity are covered in accordance with current legislation. Information on the Insurance Companies with which the Operator maintains an Agency Agreement for the distribution of insurance products is available at www.santandermediacionobsv.com.
7. Mortgage loan secured on the property. Lender: Banco Santander, S.A., with registered office in Santander, at Paseo de Pereda, 9-12 (39004) – Filed with the Mercantile Registry of Cantabria at Sheet 286, Folio 64, Book 5 of Companies, Entry 1, and with Tax ID No. A-39000013.
Financing subject to Banco Santander’s approval. This information does not replace the Pre-contractual Information Sheet (FIPRE), which is available at www.bancosantander.es and from any branch of Banco Santander. You may visit your branch to request the European Standardised Information Sheet (ESIS). If you decide to go ahead and take out the product, you will be provided with the remaining mandatory pre-contractual documentation. Your home is at risk if you fail to meet the obligations arising under your mortgage loan agreement. In the event of non-payment or any circumstance giving rise to early repayment, and following notification at the address you have designated for the purposes of mortgage enforcement proceedings, the Bank may pursue legal action against you personally or enforce its security over the mortgaged property. You will remain liable to the Bank for repayment of the loan with all your present and future assets, not just the mortgaged property. In accordance with Article 105 of the Spanish Mortgage Act and Article 1911 of the Spanish Civil Code.
8. Transaction subject to prior approval by the Bank. Lease or rental service offered by Banco Santander S.A. for the first three years. The contract with Banco Santander S.A. will end in year four and will thereafter continue with Movistar Prosegur Alarmas S.L. Please see the conditions at https://movistarproseguralarmas.es/contratos. Price not compatible with Alarmas Home renting solutions. Other alarm renting arrangements are available through our branch network, some of which may also offer advantages when taken out together with a residential mortgage. Please consult the terms and conditions at your branch or at www.bancosantander.es/en/particulares/hipotecas.