Best No-Fee Student Bank Accounts in Spain
Best No-Fee Student Bank Accounts in Spain
International students in Spain can open several bank accounts without paying monthly maintenance fees. Some are designed specifically for younger customers, while others remain free regardless of age or whether the customer deposits a salary.
The best no-fee student bank accounts in Spain include BBVA Cuenta Joven, Santander Cuenta Online, imagin and bunq Pro Student. BBVA is the strongest overall choice for students aged 18–29, Santander offers valuable travel benefits to customers under 30, imagin combines free banking with CaixaBank’s ATM network, and bunq offers an advanced paid plan free to eligible university students.
“No fee” normally refers to account maintenance and the main debit card. International transfers, overdrafts, replacement cards and withdrawals from other banks’ ATMs may still cost money.
Best No-Fee Student Bank Accounts in Spain
1. BBVA Cuenta Joven – Best Overall for Students Under 30
BBVA Cuenta Joven is one of the most complete free bank accounts for international students aged 18–29.
The account includes:
- €0 account administration and maintenance fees
- €0 debit-card issuance and maintenance fees
- No salary-deposit requirement
- No requirement to set up direct debits
- Bizum
- Online and mobile banking
- Free withdrawals from more than 4,500 BBVA ATMs in Spain
- Automatic savings tools
BBVA confirms that customers can use the account and Aqua debit card for €0 without depositing a salary or paying household bills through the account. Applicants must be new BBVA customers aged 18–29 and provide a valid DNI, TIE or passport.
Foreign students using a TIE may be able to complete the process online. Passport-based applications may require a visit to a BBVA branch, depending on the applicant’s residence status and identification documents.
Best for:
- International students aged 18–29
- Students who do not receive a regular salary
- Customers wanting Bizum and a Spanish debit card
- Students who prefer a large traditional bank
Possible drawback: Students aged 30 or older cannot open the youth version, although BBVA also has a general online account without maintenance fees.
2. Santander Cuenta Online – Best for Students Who Travel
Santander’s Online Account is available to new adult customers without account maintenance fees or compulsory conditions.
It provides:
- €0 account maintenance fee
- No required salary deposit
- No compulsory direct debits
- Debit card without issuance or maintenance fees
- Online euro transfers
- Bizum
- Santander mobile and online banking
- Withdrawals from Santander ATMs
The account itself is available to new customers aged 18 or older. Students under 30 can also receive Santander’s young-customer travel benefits, including card payments abroad without Santander’s foreign-currency commission and three international ATM withdrawals each month without a Santander withdrawal fee. The ATM owner may still charge its own fee.
A salary of at least €800 is required only for Santander’s separate cash-reward promotion, not to keep the account free.
Best for:
- Students under 30 who travel regularly
- Erasmus and exchange students
- Customers paying in currencies other than euros
- Students who want a free account without salary conditions
Possible drawback: The additional international travel benefits are age-limited, even though the basic Online Account can remain free.
3. Imagin Account – Best for ATM Access and Foreign Students
Imagin, operated through CaixaBank, offers a fully digital account without maintenance fees or salary conditions.
The account includes:
- No account maintenance fee
- Free debit card
- No card issuance or maintenance fee
- Bizum
- Free SEPA transfers through the app
- More than 11,000 CaixaBank ATMs in Spain
- Card payments in foreign currencies without imagin’s conversion commission
- No imagin withdrawal fee when using the card abroad
The foreign ATM operator may still apply its own charge. Imagin also provides a dedicated online account-opening route for foreigners, with information available in English, Spanish and Catalan.
Foreign applicants generally need an NIE. EU citizens can use a passport or national identity document for identification, while non-EU residents may need a TIE.
Best for:
- Students who frequently withdraw cash
- Foreign residents wanting English-language access
- Students who prefer app-based banking
- Customers who travel outside Spain
- Students of any adult age
Possible drawback: The service is primarily mobile-based, so it may not suit students who prefer traditional branch banking.
4. Bunq Pro Student – Best Free Premium Digital Account
Bunq offers its Pro plan without a monthly charge to eligible university students in Spain.
Bunq Pro normally costs €9.99 per month, but eligible students receive a 100% discount after submitting valid proof of enrolment. To qualify, the student must:
- Be aged 25 or younger
- Study at a university
- Live in Spain or another eligible country
- Submit a valid student ID or enrolment certificate for the current academic year
The free benefit ends when the customer graduates, no longer qualifies as a student or turns 26. Standard plan pricing then applies.
Bunq allows students to start the application without a Spanish tax number, provided they submit it within 90 days. Spanish customers can receive a Spanish IBAN for salary, direct debits and everyday payments.
Bunq Pro can include:
- Multiple payment and savings accounts
- Budgeting tools
- Separate IBANs for different expenses
- Digital and physical cards
- Shared accounts for roommates
- English-language support
- Fully online application
Best for:
- University students aged 25 or younger
- New arrivals waiting for an NIE
- Students who want detailed budgeting tools
- Roommates sharing rent and household expenses
Possible drawback: The account can become expensive after the student discount ends.
Quick Comparison
Choose the account that matches your needs:
- Best overall under age 30: BBVA Cuenta Joven
- Best for travel: Santander Cuenta Online
- Best ATM network: imagin
- Best premium digital package: bunq Pro Student
- Best for students aged 30 or older: imagin or Santander
- Best while waiting for a tax number: bunq
Documents International Students May Need
Depending on the provider and application route, prepare:
- Valid passport or EU identity card
- NIE
- TIE for non-EU residents
- EU Citizen Registration Certificate
- Spanish residential address
- Spanish or supported mobile number
- Tax-residence information
- University enrolment certificate
- Selfie or video identity verification
- Evidence showing the source of incoming funds
A passport may be accepted, but it does not guarantee that the entire application can be completed online.
Costs That May Still Apply
Before opening any account, review charges for:
- Withdrawals from another bank’s ATM
- International transfers outside SEPA
- Foreign ATM operator fees
- Overdrafts or negative balances
- Emergency or replacement cards
- Branch-assisted transactions
- Credit cards and other borrowing products
Avoid selecting an account based only on a temporary cash promotion. Compare the permanent account and card fees first.
Are Deposits Protected?
Eligible deposits held with Spanish member banks are generally protected by Spain’s Deposit Guarantee Fund up to €100,000 per account holder and financial institution.
Accounts provided by a bank established in another EU country, such as bunq, may be protected by that bank’s home-country deposit-guarantee scheme instead.
Final Verdict
BBVA Cuenta Joven is the best overall no-fee student bank account in Spain for customers aged 18–29. It requires no salary deposit, includes a free Aqua debit card and supports Bizum and free BBVA ATM withdrawals.
Santander is better for frequent travellers under 30, while imagin is suitable for students of any adult age who want broad CaixaBank ATM access. Bunq Pro offers the most advanced free student package, but its eligibility ends at age 26 or when student status finishes.
