Resident in Spain? Check your Spanish bank account status!

Recently I received a letter from my bank, BBVA, saying that the Ministry of the Interior had informed them that I was now resident in Spain.  As they had no papers to prove that I was non-resident, they would be blocking my bank account, so I wouldn't be able to make deposits or withdrawals from my account.

As soon as I received the letter, I rushed down to my bank (it was 1pm on a Friday), withdrew 500€ - just in case! - and waited in the queue to speak to an advisor.  My main concern was that my private pension was due to be paid in during the following week, plus two direct debits were due to be paid, as the letter seemed to suggest that I would need to open a new account, which I assumed would have a different account number.

Apparently when the account was open, because they had used my passport as ID, it was opened as a non-resident´s account.   Anyway, the advisor took copies of my residencia certificate plus the padrón certificate, entered details on his PC, got me to sign a couple of pages that he printed off, and told me it was now sorted.  Luckily I have the same bank number and all he has done is change the status of my account to resident.  It looked too easy, however since then my pension has gone in and payments have been made so hopefully it is sorted.  I am also hoping that this means the charges will be less!

Sue

We had the same a couple of years ago, although we never received a letter from anyone telling us about the change.  The first we knew of it was when payments were rejected and deposits no longer possible.

It took us a bit longer to sort than yours but it is a pain in the backside when it happens.

Justin

I think the important thing for everybody to know is that if you didn't have your residencia certificate or card when opening your account, it is advisable to double check with your bank that your account is one for residents rather than non-residents.  It won't take you long to confirm it, which is better than having a lot of hassle at a later date!

Sue

I had a non-resident account with my bank. I was in the Torrevieja branch when the eagle-eyed clerk saw my residencia certificate. Tch Tch. I was out of order. That was a no-no; a non-resident's account when I was a resident. He sorted it out there and then. It was painless - apart from the €25 annual charge because basically I was opening a new account.