Best Spanish-speaking country to open a bank account

[Mark Rucken]

I'm always curious when people post about a "real bank account" vs an EMI. What would be the qualification to be a "real bank"?

Having an office and counter where you can go and talk to someone if there is a problem. Something you can not do with EMI. Just to start with ...

 

[JohnLocke]

Having an office and counter where you can go and talk to someone if there is a problem.

I have not visit my local bank for 10 years, why should I, never had any problem which I couldn't manage using their internal mail system or by phone.

 

[GiGoGo]

IS a non resident account in Sabadell

Only for European passport holders, maybe you can apply if you have a NIE

 

[speedster]

If you would be willing to relax the Spanish requirement, a number of options open up for a personal account. A bank like N26 or one of the plethora of EMIs could work

 

[GiGoGo]

You can get a Revolut or Transferwise account with Debit cards just providing an EU proof of address + almost any passport

 

[speedster]

You can get a Revolut or Transferwise account with Debit cards just providing an EU proof of address + almost any passport

Last I checked Revolut only open accounts for EU citizens and Transferwise don't accept swift, so he won't be able to get funds into the account

 

[Mark Rucken]

I have not visit my local bank for 10 years, why should I, never had any problem which I couldn't manage using their internal mail system or by phone.

Well, by using LeuPay or Mistertango or similar "online banks", problems like delayed payments and frozen funds happen very often, so in cases like that it would be much easier to have an actual place where you can go with your lawyer. Stuff like this does not happen often with "real banks" because they know you can show up any moment.

You probably do not have to go to your bank because it is a safe and reliable banks, while people who bank with EMIs often go through hell. Plus, most EMI do not even have phone support, only email and it takes them days to reply when there is an actual problem.

 

[Fajosst]

You can open a bank account in Spain but as a non resident you can have some issues when using It because of anti money laundering measures....
You can also try Panama,Belice or Puerto Rico

Thanks for the answer.

Any specific banks in Puerto Rico that we can trust?

 

[exprtadvisrdev]

If you try with Panama, get your money in a good bank because Panama has a "strong banking rule" which basically means they can get inside a bank and block everything without notifications if they think the money of the users are in danger.

This happened to me with Allbank and they only allow you to pull out the money via ACH to another Panama bank or a check and they will only send you that check (in case you select that option) to the address registered in the bank and also they will require to first verify this with the phone number that you have registered in the bank.

Some banks that accept foreigners there: Banesco, Multibank, Banitsmo (this one I think they required you to have another bank account in Panama but I don't remember), Scotiabank and credicorpbank (this one even accepts to open the bank account remotely). Those are the banks I know they work with foreigners and I know there were more but most of them required you to have another bank there but hey get ready to read and discuss about a lot of papers.