FAQ Guide to Banking in Spain for Filipino International Students (With Tips, Recommendations and Free €€)

Now that you've transitioned from being a mere guiri (tourist) to a temporary resident in the Kingdom of Spain (YAY!!), you might be curious about the process of opening a bank account and finally organising your finances in this new country. From tuition fees to daily expenses and everything else in between, having a reliable banking partner is very important for a seamless transition into la vida Española. And while the idea of navigating the Spanish banking systems may seem daunting, I assure you - it's far simpler than it appears 😉

In this article, we'll explore the key steps to opening a Spanish bank account as an international student - highlighting my top recommended banks + offering some insights into international money transfers + providing money-saving tips + so much more! So if you're ready to find your next bank in Spain, read along ..

• CaixaBank (La Caixa) - I put this first on the list because I've been using them ever since I moved to Spain 5 years ago and I haven't had any issue. As one of the leading Spanish retail banks, La Caixa has a widespread network of branches and ATMs all across the country, making it convenient for its users to access banking services, withdraw cash, and manage their finances easily. Moreover, they also provide robust online and mobile banking - allowing its users to manage their accounts, make transactions, and monitor their finances conveniently from their smartphones or computers. They have English language support (which is very helpful for newbies in Spain who's still not fluent in the language) and they offer a lot of student-friendly services that gives discounts and freebies (for example, if you have a Caixa card, you can go to Caixa Forum for free!). They offered me the free Imagin card, which is especially tailored to its youth clients, and up until now that I'm a bit post-youth lol, I still have it!

If you are ready to open an account, you can visit their website or go to one of their branches nearest you! You can also sign up with my code IM83347566 to get up to 400€ 🤩 Find out how - https://imagin.pwlnk.io/uj$&JA4Qc

• Santander: Even though I have no personal experience using Santander as my banking partner, I have a lot of friends who have been using it for years on end and they highly recommend it! Santander, without a doubt, is one of the largest banks in Europe and has a strong international presence - which is beneficial for international students/expats who may need to manage finances across borders. Just like La Caixa, they also often offer English language support, have a robust online and mobile banking, and have a lot of branches not just throughout Spain but in many countries as well. This makes international banking easier for all of its users.

• BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria): If I am a loyal La Caixa fan, my boyfriend, on the other hand, is an honest-to-goodness loyal BBVA fan 😂 He swears by it and is very happy with their service. He has been using it since he moved to Spain 7 years ago and he keeps recommending it to anyone he knows. BBVA has a significant international presence, with operations in numerous countries. They also offer advanced online and mobile banking platforms, allowing international students to conveniently manage their accounts, make transactions, and monitor their finances from anywhere, at any time. In 2022, it won as the Best Digital Bank in Europe and Latin America at The Banker's Innovation and Digital Banking Awards and in 2023, it won as the World's Best Corporate Bank and World's Best Foreign Exchange Provider by Global Finance. Hats off! 🎩

• N26 AKA the well-loved digital bank! - If you are more at ease doing digital banking, this is made for you! N26 offers a hassle-free account opening process, allowing its users to sign up quickly through its user-friendly and intuitive mobile application. As easy as 1, 2, 3 - the best part is that you don't need to visit any branch and submit any documents presentially - you can do it all virtually! They also offer English language support and transparent fee structures, eliminating language barriers and providing clarity on financial transactions, enabling students to manage their finances with ease.

Wanna get 10€ for free? Open an N26 app and use the code migkarer1035 🤩 You will get the 10€ as soon as you use your card for the first time.

• Revolut - Definitely living up to its tagline "Change the way you money," Revolut with its innovative features and user-friendly interface, simplifies the complexities of managing finances abroad. Whether you're studying in Madrid, Barcelona, or anywhere else in Spain, they offer multi-currency accounts that empower its users to seamlessly handle transactions in both PHP and euro - eliminating the hassle of costly currency conversions. Plus, with transparent fee structures and minimal to ZERO (!!!) charges for currency exchange/international transfers, Revolut is the chosen app to go for students and literally EVERYONE ELSE who love to travel internationally. Just like the German-owned digital bank N26, Revolut is also a top digital bank from the UK.

There are still so many banking options left to tackle but these five are my top-recommended ones. I hope this post has been helpful for you in choosing the best bank that could support your stay in this new country. And if you decide to use my codes, that would certainly help you and I would get some extra money too 😊

This much for today!

Salud!