# Bank Account Opening Scripts - Barcelona (2026) Word-for-word Spanish scripts for opening a bank account in Barcelona. Covers Sabadell, CaixaBank, and N26. --- ## Before You Go: Which Bank? | Bank | NIE Required? | English App? | Monthly Fee | Best For | |------|:------------:|:------------:|:-----------:|----------| | **Banco Sabadell** | Yes | Yes | EUR 0-6 | Expats who want a traditional bank with English support | | **CaixaBank** | Yes | Yes | EUR 0-6 | People who need the widest ATM/branch network | | **N26** | No (passport OK) | Yes | EUR 0 | Immediate account while waiting for NIE | | **BBVA** | Yes | Partial | EUR 0-5 | Online-first banking with good transfer rates | | **Openbank (Santander)** | Yes | Yes | EUR 0 | Fully online, no branch visits | **Recommended strategy**: Open N26 immediately on arrival (no NIE needed, 5-minute setup). Then open Sabadell or CaixaBank once you have your NIE - you need a Spanish bank for direct debits (domiciliacion) on rent, utilities, and insurance. --- ## Documents to Bring ### For All Banks (With NIE) - [ ] Original NIE certificate or TIE card - [ ] Passport (original) - [ ] Empadronamiento certificate (some banks require it, bring it anyway) - [ ] Proof of income: work contract, autonomo registration, or 3 months of bank statements from home country - [ ] Phone number with Spanish SIM (needed for SMS verification) - [ ] Email address ### For N26 (Without NIE) - [ ] Passport (original) - [ ] Spanish address (for card delivery) - [ ] Phone number (any country works) - [ ] Email address --- ## Script 1: Booking a Bank Appointment by Phone Most Spanish banks require an appointment (cita previa). Here is the phone script: ### Spanish Version > Buenos dias. Me llamo [YOUR NAME]. Soy extranjero/a y acabo de mudarme a Barcelona. > > Quiero abrir una cuenta corriente. Tengo mi NIE y mi pasaporte. > > Podria darme una cita para abrir la cuenta, por favor? > > [If they ask for your NIE number]: Mi numero de NIE es [X-1234567-A]. > > [If they ask about your employment]: Soy [trabajador/a por cuenta ajena / autonomo/a / jubilado/a]. Tengo [contrato de trabajo / alta de autonomo / pension]. > > [If no appointments available]: Hay alguna otra oficina cercana con disponibilidad? > > Muchas gracias. Hasta luego. ### English Translation > Good morning. My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am a foreigner and just moved to Barcelona. > > I would like to open a current account. I have my NIE and passport. > > Could you give me an appointment to open the account, please? --- ## Script 2: At the Bank - Opening the Account (Sabadell / CaixaBank) ### Spanish Version > Buenos dias. Tengo cita para abrir una cuenta corriente. Me llamo [YOUR NAME]. > > Aqui tiene mi NIE y mi pasaporte. [Hand over documents] > > [When asked about account type]: > Quiero una cuenta corriente basica para domiciliar recibos - alquiler, luz, internet. > > [When asked about income]: > Trabajo como [empleado/a en la empresa X / autonomo/a / remoto para una empresa extranjera]. > Aqui tiene mi [contrato de trabajo / alta de autonomo / extractos bancarios]. > > [When asked about address]: > Mi direccion es [YOUR ADDRESS]. Tengo el empadronamiento aqui. [Show certificate] > > [When asked about card]: > Si, quiero una tarjeta de debito, por favor. > > [When asked about online banking]: > Si, quiero activar la banca online y la aplicacion movil. > > [IMPORTANT - about fees]: > Que comisiones tiene la cuenta? Hay algun requisito para que sea gratuita? > > [Common requirement: direct deposit of salary (domiciliacion de nomina) to waive fees] > > [If they try to sell insurance or investment products]: > Gracias, pero de momento solo necesito la cuenta corriente. > > [When signing]: > Podria explicarme las condiciones principales antes de firmar? ### English Translation > Good morning. I have an appointment to open a current account. My name is [YOUR NAME]. > > Here is my NIE and passport. > > I want a basic current account for direct debits - rent, electricity, internet. > > I work as [an employee at company X / a freelancer / remotely for a foreign company]. > Here is my [work contract / autonomo registration / bank statements]. > > My address is [YOUR ADDRESS]. I have the empadronamiento here. > > Yes, I would like a debit card. > > Yes, I want to activate online banking and the mobile app. > > What fees does the account have? Are there any requirements to make it free? > > Thank you, but for now I only need the current account. > > Could you explain the main conditions before I sign? --- ## Script 3: N26 Account Setup (Online - No Visit Needed) N26 is fully digital. No scripts needed - the app is in English. Here is the step-by-step: 1. Download the N26 app from the App Store or Google Play. 2. Select "Open Account" and choose your country (Spain). 3. Enter your email, create a password. 4. Provide personal details: full name (as on passport), date of birth, address in Spain. 5. Verify your identity: take a photo of your passport + selfie video. 6. Wait for verification (usually 5-15 minutes). 7. Your IBAN starts with ES (Spanish IBAN) - you can use it immediately for transfers. 8. Physical card arrives by mail in 5-10 business days. **Tip**: Your N26 Spanish IBAN is accepted for direct debits (rent, utilities). Some landlords prefer traditional Spanish banks, but legally they must accept any EU IBAN. --- ## Script 4: Setting Up Direct Debits (Domiciliacion) Once your account is open, you will need to set up automatic payments. Here is the script for calling your utilities/landlord: ### Spanish Version > Buenos dias. Soy [YOUR NAME], inquilino/a del piso en [YOUR ADDRESS]. > > Quiero domiciliar el pago de [alquiler / luz / gas / agua / internet] en mi cuenta bancaria. > > Mi IBAN es [ES00 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000]. > > Mi nombre completo como titular de la cuenta es [FULL NAME AS ON BANK ACCOUNT]. > > Necesitan que les envie el formulario de domiciliacion firmado? > > Pueden enviarme el formulario por email a [YOUR EMAIL]? > > Muchas gracias. --- ## Common Issues and Solutions ### "You need a nomina (payslip) to open an account" Some branches are strict about this. Solutions: - Show 3-6 months of bank statements from your home country (translated is better but not always required). - If you are autonomo, show your alta de autonomo (registration receipt) plus recent invoices. - If working remotely, show your employment contract plus recent pay transfers. - Try a different branch. Rules vary by branch manager. ### "Your documents need to be apostilled/translated" For bank accounts, apostille is almost never needed. If a branch insists: - Try a different branch of the same bank. - Ask: "Es realmente necesario para abrir una cuenta corriente?" (Is this really necessary for a current account?) ### "We cannot open accounts for non-residents" This happens with some branches. Solutions: - Confirm you are a resident (show empadronamiento). - If you are not yet a resident, try N26 or Openbank (fully online, more flexible). ### Bank fees to watch for - **Maintenance fee**: EUR 0-6/month. Often waived with salary direct deposit. - **Card fee**: Usually free with the account. Premium cards cost EUR 3-5/month. - **Transfer fees**: SEPA transfers within EU should be free. Non-SEPA (international) cost EUR 15-40. - **ATM fees**: Free at your own bank's ATMs. EUR 1-2 at other banks. --- ## Key Banking Vocabulary | English | Spanish | |---------|---------| | Current account | Cuenta corriente | | Savings account | Cuenta de ahorro | | Debit card | Tarjeta de debito | | Credit card | Tarjeta de credito | | Direct debit | Domiciliacion | | Bank transfer | Transferencia bancaria | | Balance | Saldo | | Bank statement | Extracto bancario | | Monthly fee | Comision mensual | | Payslip / salary | Nomina | | Account holder | Titular de la cuenta | | To sign | Firmar | | Appointment | Cita previa | | Branch | Oficina / sucursal | --- *Part of the SettleBarcelona Starter Pack - settleinbarcelona.com*