Can you close a Spanish bank account from abroad?

Navigating banks in Spain can be challenging, especially when it comes to opening and closing accounts. In many cases, foreigners who have lived in Spain, maybe just for an Erasmus year or for a short period of time, will need to close their bank account but didn’t manage to do so in their local branch. So, can you close a Spanish bank account from abroad? Although it can be difficult, it is not impossible to close a Spanish bank account from abroad. Below is a comprehensive guide to banks that are likely to permit it and those that are not, along with various methods that you could use to close your Spanish bank account from outside of Spain.

Closing your Spanish bank account

First of all, when it comes to closing a bank account in Spain, it is important to understand that there is no universal guideline or rule that governs the procedure for closing a Spanish bank account from abroad. This implies that the ability to close the account remotely depends on the type of account you have and the specific bank with which you hold your account in Spain.

According to Banco de España (the Bank of Spain) “an account can always be cancelled at any time and without prior notice. Within 24 hours of the request, the entity must have closed it”. However, in reality, the process is not always straightforward because there are no regulations specifying the exact steps for closing an account. Consequently, individual banks have the discretion to determine the method for account termination.

Therefore, as mentioned, the ability to close your Spanish bank account remotely is primarily dependent on the bank where you hold your account and the type of account you have. According to the Bank of Spain's Banking Client Portal, if a bank has specific requirements for account closure, these requirements should have been included in the contract and disclosed to the client for acknowledgment when opening the account. Therefore, your initial contract should have indicated whether in-person closure is mandatory.

Generally, banks with limited or no customer service offices and where the majority of operations are carried out online tend to allow account closure remotely. These include N26, Revolut, EVO Banco, Openbank and ING, for example.

However, conventional Spanish banks with a physical presence throughout the country generally require all account holders, including joint account holders, to visit a branch in person to close an account, often at the original branch where the account was opened. Some examples include Santander, CaixaBank, Sabadell and others. 

While this can be inconvenient for clients who have relocated either within Spain or overseas, banks argue that each opened account is a metric for a particular branch's performance, and therefore the most significant transactions, such as account closure, must be handled by that branch. In the case of the UK, where you can also find Santander banks, take note that closing your Spanish account won't be possible there either, as the banks work completely independently in different countries. 

How to close a Spanish bank account from abroad

How do I close a Spanish bank account? For those whose bank does allow them to close an account remotely, there are various methods available for closing your Spanish bank account remotely.

Closing your Spanish bank account online

One of the easiest ways to close a bank account in Spain, if your bank offers this service, is online. If your bank account was opened online, you can usually request its closure through the same online banking platform. Keep in mind, however, that some banks may require you to visit the branch and sign the cancellation of the account and return your cards and checkbooks even if you close the account online. Hence, you should check with your bank to ensure that your account has been closed completely.

Closing your Spanish bank account by phone

In case you are unable to close your account online, another option is requesting its closure through a phone call. In this case, you may have to provide additional information such as passwords and signature keys. Note that the telephone assistance of most banks will be in Spanish, although some banks such as Banco Sabadell claim to offer customer service in English. 

Closing your Spanish bank account by sending a letter or email

If closing your account online or via phone is not an option, the most recommended way to do it remotely is by sending a certified letter. The letter should state your desire to close the account and clarify that you are not present in the country. It should include your full name, address, and a copy of your ID number (such as a green residency certificate or TIE), along with the name of the bank, branch number, and the account you want to close. 

In some banks, you’ll also be able to cancel your account via email, something that is usually specified on the bank’s website. EVO banco, for example, provides its clients with a form and a specific email address in which an account can be closed by following just a few simple steps. 

What if my bank won’t let me close my Spanish account from abroad?

In case all the previously mentioned methods have been unsuccessful and your bank insists on signing the necessary paperwork in person at the branch, it is recommended to seek legal advice. A lawyer can provide guidance on the further steps you may need to take to close your Spanish bank account.

If the issue arises because you moved to a different part of Spain and the bank requires you to close the account at the original branch, it is advisable to visit a nearby branch and make it your reference branch (sucursal de referencia) before attempting to cancel. Keep in mind that not all branches may allow this and it will depend on each individual bank.