Best Savings Accounts for International Students in Spain
Best Savings Accounts for International Students in Spain
International students in Spain can use a savings account to build an emergency fund, reserve money for tuition and rent, or keep financial support received from abroad separate from everyday spending.
The best savings accounts for international students in Spain currently include the Openbank Remunerated Account, Bankinter Digital Account, Banco Sabadell Online Account and ING Cuenta NARANJA.
Most of these products have no monthly maintenance fee, but their interest rates, residency requirements and promotional conditions differ considerably. Students should therefore compare both the advertised return and what happens when the introductory period ends.
Best Student Savings Accounts in Spain
1. Openbank Remunerated Account – Best Overall Savings Account
Openbank currently offers new customers a remunerated account paying 2.50% AER and 2.47% nominal annual interest for 12 months.
The account stands out because it offers:
- No maximum remunerated balance
- Monthly interest payments
- No salary-deposit requirement
- Flexible deposits and withdrawals
- No maintenance charge
- A free current account
- A free debit card for the first account holder
To receive the promotional interest, customers must bring their Bizum service to Openbank and use the promotional code specified during the application. The offer is currently advertised for new customers applying by September 30, 2026. After the first year, the account changes to an Openbank savings account paying the rate available at that time.
Openbank’s online application generally requires the applicant to be an adult and a Spanish tax resident. EU citizens may use a passport together with an EU Citizen Registration Certificate, while non-EU residents normally need a valid TIE and a Spanish mobile number.
Best for:
- New international students already resident in Spain
- Students with a TIE or EU registration certificate
- Customers with larger savings balances
- Students who already use or can transfer Bizum
Possible drawback: The 2.50% return applies for only one year and depends on fulfilling the promotional Bizum requirement.
2. Bankinter Digital Account – Best Without Salary Conditions
Bankinter’s Digital Account is another strong option for students who want a competitive return without depositing a salary.
The account currently provides:
- 2.50% AER and 2.47% nominal annual interest
- Interest on balances up to €100,000
- Monthly interest payments
- No account maintenance fee
- No salary or direct-debit requirement
- Flexible access to the money
- Debit card without issuance or maintenance fees
The rate is currently guaranteed until January 31, 2027. The account is intended for new Bankinter customers who have not been customers during the previous six months.
Bankinter’s remunerated accounts are offered to adult individuals resident in Spain. International students should therefore expect to provide valid Spanish residence documentation and complete the bank’s identity and financial-information checks.
Best for:
- Students who do not want to transfer Bizum
- Spanish residents seeking a no-condition account
- Students maintaining up to €100,000
- Customers who want savings and everyday banking together
Possible drawback: The currently guaranteed interest period is shorter than Openbank’s 12-month promotional period.
3. Banco Sabadell Online Account – Best Combined Checking and Savings Account
Banco Sabadell’s Online Account combines everyday banking with a linked savings account.
The bank currently advertises:
- 2% AER on combined balances
- Remuneration on up to €100,000
- The promotional rate during the first year
- No account opening or maintenance fee
- A linked Savings Account
- Debit card without maintenance fees
- Flexible access to the money
Interest conditions apply to the combined average balance of the Online Account and its linked savings accounts. After the first year, the applicable return changes to the rate offered by Banco Sabadell at that time.
The account is available only to new Banco Sabadell customers. Online applicants need a valid DNI or photo TIE. EU citizens without a TIE can use a passport together with an EU Citizen Registration Certificate proving Spanish residence.
The linked savings account also supports automated saving tools, including:
- Recurring transfers
- Purchase round-ups
- Personal savings goals
- Rules that move money automatically
Best for:
- Students wanting one account for spending and saving
- EU students with a residence certificate
- Non-EU students with a valid TIE
- Students who prefer automatic savings routines
Possible drawback: The advertised rate is promotional, and the return available after the first year may be lower.
4. ING Cuenta NARANJA – Best for Short-Term Promotional Saving
ING’s Cuenta NARANJA is a flexible savings account with no maintenance fee and no minimum savings balance.
New customers opening the savings account separately currently receive access to a Welcome Deposit paying 3% AER for three months. When the promotional period ends, the money moves to the Cuenta NARANJA, which currently pays 0.30% AER under the standard no-salary arrangement.
Students who open an ING Salary Account can receive 1% AER on the Cuenta NARANJA while they continue meeting the Salary Account requirements. Customers using the no-condition NoCuenta receive the lower 0.30% rate.
ING accepts:
- Spanish citizens with a valid DNI
- EU citizens with a passport and EU Citizen Registration Certificate
- Non-EU citizens with a valid Spanish residence card
The account-opening process can be completed online through identity verification.
Best for:
- Students wanting a temporary introductory return
- Customers who prefer ING’s mobile banking
- Students who want no minimum deposit
- Students receiving regular income in Spain
Possible drawback: The 3% promotional period lasts only three months, and the standard return is considerably lower.
Quick Comparison
Choose Openbank if you want:
- 2.50% AER for an entire year
- No maximum remunerated balance
- Monthly interest payments
- A free current account and debit card
Choose Bankinter if you want:
- 2.50% AER without salary or Bizum requirements
- Interest on up to €100,000
- No account maintenance fee
- Flexible access to your savings
Choose Banco Sabadell if you want:
- One account for spending and saving
- Automatic savings tools
- 2% AER during the promotional period
- A linked fee-free savings account
Choose ING if you want:
- 3% AER for three months
- No minimum savings balance
- A flexible savings account
- A simple online application
Documents International Students May Need
Online savings accounts are usually designed for Spanish residents. International students may need:
- Valid passport
- NIE
- TIE for non-EU residents
- EU Citizen Registration Certificate
- Proof of a Spanish address
- Spanish mobile number
- Spanish or foreign tax identification number
- University enrolment certificate
- Scholarship, salary or source-of-funds documents
A passport or NIE number alone may not be sufficient for fully online onboarding. The bank may require a physical residence document or ask the student to apply at a branch.
Are Savings Accounts Protected in Spain?
Eligible current, savings and deposit balances held with Spanish banks are generally protected by the Spanish Deposit Guarantee Fund up to €100,000 per depositor and banking institution.
The protection limit applies across the customer’s eligible deposits at the same institution, not separately to every account.
Which Savings Account Is Best?
Openbank offers the best overall savings account for many international students in Spain in July 2026. Its 2.50% AER applies for 12 months without a maximum remunerated balance, although students must transfer Bizum and meet the residency and identity requirements.
Bankinter is the strongest alternative for students who do not want a Bizum condition. Banco Sabadell is best for combining daily banking with automated savings, while ING is attractive mainly for its three-month welcome rate.
Because promotional interest rates can change quickly, confirm the final AER, eligibility period and post-promotional rate immediately before opening an account.
