
Spain has a well-developed banking system with numerous institutions offering various services to cater to different needs.
Banco Santander is one of the largest banks in Spain, with over 14 million customers and a wide range of services, including online banking and mobile banking.
CaixaBank, another major bank in Spain, has a strong presence in the country's financial sector, with over 15 million customers and a network of over 5,600 branches.
BBVA is a global bank with a significant presence in Spain, offering services such as credit cards, loans, and investment products.
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List of Banks in Spain
There are over 165 different banks in Spain, divided into two main types: bancos (private or publicly owned banks) and cajas (state-owned banks).
Bancos and cajas have different priorities, with cajas tending to invest in local projects.
If you're new to Spain, it's a good idea to visit both types of banks to get a feel for which one is more convenient for you.
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A convenient bank is one that's close to your home, offers internet banking, free ATM services, and has many branches nationwide.
Once you open an account, you'll be given a debit/credit card with an annual fee (which varies depending on the bank).
You can use this card to withdraw cash from ATM machines or pay for goods and services in most restaurants, shops, and supermarkets.
However, cheques are rarely accepted in Spain, and not all ATM transactions are free.
Be sure to ask your bank which ATMs you can use without incurring a surcharge.
Some banks, like BBVA, offer a zero-fee online current account that also comes with a fee-free Aqua debit card and cash withdrawals at BBVA ATMs.
The key banks in Spain include Santander, La Caixa, BBVA, Bankia, Bankinter, ING, and EVO Banco.
Here are the top 10 banks in Spain by total assets:
Some banks, like BBVA, offer a highly-rated mobile banking app, making it easy to manage your finances on the go.
Popular Banks
In Spain, you'll find over 165 different banks, divided into two main types: bancos and cajas. Bancos are private or publicly owned banks, while cajas are state-owned banks that often invest in local projects.
Some of the biggest and most popular Spanish banks include Santander, BBVA, Banco Sabadell, Bankinter, and CaixaBank. These banks offer a wide range of financial services for both businesses and individuals.
Here are the top 5 popular banks in Spain, listed with their operational headquarters:
BBVA Bank
BBVA Bank is a well-established name in Spanish banking, offering a range of products including current accounts, credit and debit cards, savings, investment, and mortgage options.
The bank's online current account is a standout feature, available with zero fees and also available as a joint account.
BBVA's Aqua debit card and cash withdrawals at BBVA ATMs are also fee-free with this account.
As a new BBVA customer, you can take advantage of a monthly €35 EUR reimbursement for 6 months, if you choose to pay one of your electricity, gas, telephone or internet bills by direct debit.
BBVA's mobile banking app is highly rated, even ranking best in the world among large banking retailers in a 2017 study.
For another approach, see: BBVA México
Top 5 Popular

The top 5 popular banks in Spain are Santander Bank, BBVA Bank Spain, Banco Sabadell, Bankinter, and CaixaBank. These banks have a strong presence in the country and offer a wide range of financial services.
Santander Bank is headquartered in Santander and has a significant presence in the retail banking sector. BBVA Bank Spain, on the other hand, has operational headquarters in Bilbao and Madrid.
Banco Sabadell is headquartered in Alicante and Barcelona, while Bankinter is based in Madrid. CaixaBank has a presence in Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona.
Here is a list of the top 5 popular banks in Spain:
Banking An Overview
Banking in Spain is overseen by the Banco de España, which regulates a mix of private, state-owned, international, cooperative, and mobile banks. The country has a diverse banking market with around 141 individual banks, including 80 foreign banks.
Most Spanish banks now offer online and mobile banking services. This is a convenient option for expats and tourists, as you can open an account before arriving in Spain. To do this, you'll typically need to apply as a non-resident and provide a certificate of non-residency.
To open a bank account in Spain, you'll usually need to provide photo ID, proof of address, and a Spanish NIE number if you're a resident. Some banks may also charge a fee for their current accounts, which can range from €12 to €15 per year.
You can avoid these fees by opting for a zero-fee account, or by considering alternative solutions like the Wise account for international transactions.
Bank Services
Bank services in Spain vary from bank to bank, but most offer a range of services for businesses and individuals.
Santander, the largest bank in Spain, provides retail, commercial, and investment banking services. Its website is https://www.santander.com/en/home and it is located at Av. de Cantabria, s/n, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.
BBVA, the second-largest bank in Spain, offers a similar range of services and can be found at Calle Azul, 4, 28050 Madrid. Its website is https://www.bbva.es/personas.html.
Most banks in Spain also offer online banking services, which can be accessed through their websites. For example, CaixaBank's website is https://www.caixabank.es/particular/home and Banco Sabadell's website is https://www.bancsabadell.com/cs/Satellite/SabAtl.
Here is a list of some of the services offered by the banks mentioned:
- Santander: retail, commercial, and investment banking services
- BBVA: retail, commercial, and investment banking services
- CaixaBank: retail banking services, asset management, and investment services
- Banco Sabadell: retail and corporate banking services, insurance, and asset management services
Leading Company Services and Contact Info

Leading banks in Spain offer a wide range of services to businesses and individuals. Santander, the largest bank in Spain, provides retail, commercial, and investment banking services, and was founded in 1857.
Santander's contact information is as follows: Av. de Cantabria, s/n, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, and its website is https://www.santander.com/en/home.
BBVA, the second-largest bank in Spain, was also founded in 1857 and offers a variety of services, including retail and corporate banking. Its contact information is Calle Azul, 4, 28050 Madrid, and its website is https://www.bbva.es/personas.html.
CaixaBank, founded in 1904, provides retail and corporate banking services, and its contact information is Av. Diagonal, 621-629, 08028 Barcelona, and its website is https://www.caixabank.es/particular/home.
Here is a list of the banks mentioned in this section, along with their contact information and websites:
Popular, founded in 1926, offers a wide variety of financial products and services, and its contact information is Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena, 11, 28027 Madrid, and its website is https://www.popular.com.

Bankinter, founded in 1965, provides retail and corporate banking services, and its contact information is Paseo de la Castellana, 29, 28046 Madrid, and its website is https://www.bankinter.com/banca/en/home.
Liberbank, formed in 2011, provides retail and corporate banking services, and its contact information is C/ Pintor Sorolla, 8, 46002 Valencia, and its website is https://www.unicajabanco.es/en/particulares.
Kutxabank, formed in 2012, provides a range of financial products and services, and its contact information is Gran Vía, 30, 48009 Bilbao, and its website is https://portal.kutxabank.es/cs/Satellite/kb/es/particulares.
Abanca, formed in 2014, provides retail banking services, and its contact information is Rúa do Preguntoiro, 23, 15704 Santiago de Compostela, and its website is https://www.abanca.com/es.
Unicaja Banco, formed in 2011, provides a range of financial products and services, and its contact information is Av. de Andalucía, 10, 29007 Málaga, and its website is https://www.unicajabanco.es/es/particulares.
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Transfers
Transfers are a convenient way to move money around, and banks in Spain make it relatively easy to do so.
You can carry out both domestic and international transfers via the bank, Internet, or phone service. Fees will apply when transferring money in and out of your account.
To receive international money transfers, you'll need to ask the bank for your IBAN number.
Online Banking
Online banking in Spain is a convenient option, especially for expats and travelers. You can open an account online before arriving in Spain, and many banks will let you do so as a non-resident.
You'll typically need to provide a photo ID, proof of address, and a Spanish NIE number if you're a resident. Some banks may also require a certificate of non-residency.
Many Spanish current accounts come with a fee, ranging from €12 to €15 per year. However, some banks offer zero-fee accounts, so it's worth checking if these meet your needs.
The larger banks' ATMs are usually free to use, but you may incur transaction and currency exchange charges if you use foreign cards. To avoid these charges, consider using an alternative solution like the Wise account.
If you prefer online banking, there are several digital banks operating in Spain, such as N26 and Revolut. These banks often offer cheap options and allow banking in multiple languages.
For another approach, see: All Bank Online Banking
Here are some popular online bank accounts in Spain:
- N26: A fully digital bank offering a zero-fee bank account, a free Mastercard, and a Spanish IBAN number.
- Revolut: A digital bank offering a choice of monthly plans, starting with a basic free Standard plan, and including a debit card and app-based banking services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank in Spain is the best for foreigners?
For foreigners, BBVA Bank Spain is a top choice for opening a bank account in Spain, offering a range of options for non-residents. Consider exploring their services for a seamless banking experience abroad.
Is Chase bank in Spain?
Yes, Chase bank has a presence in Spain through its local branches. You can find the specific locations listed below.
Sources
- https://www.caserexpatinsurance.com/blog-typical-non-spanish/banking-spain-go-guide
- https://b2bmap.com/spain/banks-in-spain
- https://wise.com/gb/blog/banks-in-spain
- https://www.advratings.com/europe/banks-in-spain
- https://www.bde.es/wbe/en/estadisticas/otras-clasificaciones/clasificacion-entidades/listas-instituciones-financieras/
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