Banking in Spain
By Linus Palmqvist, Head of Operations Reviewed by Simon Nilsson Last reviewed HolaBank is the other clearly documented pre-arrival option for opening a Spanish account, for applicants from 18 listed countries. Apply remotely, then confirm your identity at a CaixaBank branch in Spain within six months.
A documented before-arrival option for a narrower country list, with a required branch identity confirmation and a higher dated fee reference than Santander.
Choose between independent help with your move or checking CaixaBank / HolaBank's current process directly.
Settlewell helps you understand your whole move to Spain, including how banking fits alongside home services. We do not open or arrange a bank account on your behalf.
Bank fit changes depending on where you are in the move. Check each stage before treating a bank as a good option.
HolaBank accepts remote applications from 18 listed countries, subject to its live eligibility rules.
Identity must be confirmed in person at a CaixaBank branch in Spain within six months.
The documented HolaBank option is country-list dependent; check the live product rules for your circumstances.
HolaBank is a documented way to open a Spanish account; check the live product details for the current onboarding terms.
The latest fee notice found was €35 per quarter (€140 per year), dated 16 January 2025; check CaixaBank’s current tariff.
Match the option to your current stage, then confirm the live bank requirements before submitting an application.
Confirm that you are in one of HolaBank’s 18 listed countries.
You must confirm identity at a CaixaBank branch in Spain within six months.
Use €140 per year only as a dated reference from 16 January 2025, then check the current tariff.
CaixaBank markets CaixaBankNow in a long list of languages, and HolaBank Club advertises interpretation and translation help.
CaixaBankNow is marketed in a long list of languages; check CaixaBank’s current list for yours.
HolaBank Club advertises interpretation and translation help; confirm the support available for your option.
The right option can change as you move from planning your arrival to living in Spain.
Still have questions?
Start with the stage you are at, then compare the practical options for your move to Spain in English.
Compare banking optionsWritten by
Head of Operations at Settlewell
Linus moved from Sweden to Málaga in 2021 and set his own home up here, so most of this he has already done the hard way once. Before Settlewell he spent years at Workwide, the cross-border recruiter that has helped over 10,000 people into jobs abroad, latterly as its Head of Recruitment and Operations. He speaks Spanish, lives in Málaga with his partner, and spends his days on the phone to Spanish providers.
This page is based on CaixaBank / HolaBank's official information and is independent: Settlewell has no commercial relationship with CaixaBank / HolaBank. Every claim on this page traces to a dated, sourced fact: a bank statement, an official term, or regulator guidance. Never a guess or a commercial preference. Where public information does not answer a question, this page says so plainly instead of filling the gap. Check live terms with the bank before applying.
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