Business bank accounts for autónomos in Spain: what to look for

Once you register as autónomo, your bank account becomes part of your business. Your social security contributions are taken from it, your clients pay into it, and the tax office can ask you to explain what goes in and out. This guide covers whether you need a separate business account, what banks ask for when you open one, which fees to compare, and how online accounts differ from traditional banks. If you have not registered yet, start with our guide to becoming autónomo in Spain.

Do you need a separate account as an autónomo?

There is no general rule in Spain that forces an autónomo to open a separate business account. As a self-employed person, you trade under your own name and NIE or DNI, so a personal account can legally receive your business income.

In practice, most accountants (gestores) recommend keeping business and private money apart. If Hacienda reviews your accounts, it is up to you to explain where payments came from and what they were for. A transfer from a friend or a refund can look like undeclared income if it sits between client payments and supermarket bills. A separate account makes your quarterly VAT and income tax returns easier, and it saves your gestor time, which can lower their fee.

A simple setup that works for many freelancers:

• Business account: client payments in, business expenses and your social security quota out.
• Tax pot: a sub-account or savings account where you set aside money for VAT (IVA) and income tax (IRPF) every time you are paid.
• Personal account: a fixed monthly transfer from the business account, like a salary.

What banks ask for when you open a business account

Every bank sets its own list, but expect to be asked for some of the following:

• Identity document: your NIE certificate or TIE card plus passport, or a Spanish DNI.
• Proof that you are self-employed: your census registration with the tax office (modelo 036 or 037), your registration with Social Security as autónomo, or a recent tax return.
• Proof of address in Spain, and sometimes a description of your activity and expected income.
• A selfie or video call for identity checks if you open the account online.

Some business accounts are only for residents of Spain, and some are only for new customers. Check the conditions before you start the application, especially if you are still waiting for your TIE.

Fees to compare

Business accounts are often more expensive than personal accounts, and the fees are spread over many small items. Ask for the full fee list (the bank’s information document) and compare:

• Maintenance fee and the conditions to have it waived, such as paying your autónomo quota by direct debit.
• Cards: debit card, credit card and extra cards for staff.
• Transfers: normal SEPA transfers are often free, but instant transfers and transfers outside the euro area may cost extra.
• Cash: paying in cash at a branch or machine, and ATM withdrawals at other banks.
• Card terminal (TPV): if customers pay you by card, compare the commission per payment and any monthly rental, not just the introductory rate.
• Currency exchange: important if clients pay you in pounds or dollars.

Be careful with welcome offers. A cash bonus often comes with a commitment to keep the account and direct debits for a fixed period, and you may have to return it if you leave early.

If customers pay you by card in a shop, at markets or on home visits, a terminal from a payment provider can be an alternative to the bank’s TPV. myPOS (ad) sells card terminals to businesses in Spain, and new business customers who sign up through our link can get €30 off their first terminal (myPOS’s conditions apply). Compare its fees with your bank’s offer.

Online accounts or a traditional bank?

Traditional banks have branches, accept cash deposits easily and can offer business loans, leasing and card terminals in one place. They tend to cost more unless you meet their conditions. Online and app-based accounts are usually cheaper and quicker to open, and they often have useful tools such as sub-accounts, receipt scanning and exports for your gestor.

Some options aimed at freelancers in Spain:

• Abanca Cuenta Clara Autónomos (ad): a business account for autónomos from the Spanish bank Abanca, which you can open online.
• Vivid Business (ad): an app-based business account for freelancers and companies, provided by a Luxembourg-licensed electronic money institution with a branch in Spain that issues Spanish IBANs.
• bunq (ad): an EU-licensed app bank based in Amsterdam, which has offered Spanish IBANs since 2021.

Whatever you choose, check two things. First, is the provider a bank or an electronic money institution? Bank deposits in the EU are protected up to €100,000 per holder and per bank. According to the Banco de España, money held with an electronic money or payment institution is not covered by the deposit guarantee scheme. Instead, the institution must safeguard your funds, for example in segregated accounts. Second, what country is the IBAN from? A Spanish IBAN (starting with ES) avoids most problems with clients and suppliers. For a wider comparison, see our guide to the best banks in Spain for expats.

Foreign IBANs and paying the tax office

Under the EU SEPA Regulation, a company or public body in the EU should not refuse a payment or direct debit just because the IBAN is from another EU country. The Banco de España calls this IBAN discrimination. If a client, supplier or bank refuses your account in a business-to-business situation, you can complain to the Banco de España. If you are refused as a consumer by a business, the regional consumer authority deals with it.

In daily life, a Spanish IBAN is still the easiest choice for your autónomo quota and tax payments. You can change the account your social security contributions are taken from in the Seguridad Social e-office using Cl@ve or a digital certificate.

Invoicing software and Verifactu

Your bank account is not your invoicing system, but many business accounts now include invoicing tools, so it helps to know what is coming. Verifactu is the tax office’s system for billing software, set out in Royal Decree 1007/2023. After a postponement in December 2025, the legal start dates are 1 January 2027 for companies paying corporate tax and 1 July 2027 for autónomos. In October 2026, the Ministry of Finance announced it plans to postpone the remaining obligations again, to October 2028, but this still has to be approved. Check the Agencia Tributaria’s Verifactu page before you pay for new software. It does not apply if you are in the SII system or if your tax home is in the Basque Country or Navarre, which have their own rules.

If you are still deciding how to structure your business, read autónomo or SL company. An SL always needs its own company account.

FAQ: business bank accounts for autónomos

Is a separate bank account compulsory for autónomos in Spain?

No, there is no general legal rule requiring it. It is strongly recommended, though, because you may have to explain the movements in your account to the tax office.

Can I use a normal personal account for my business?

Yes. Many autónomos start with a second personal account used only for the business. A dedicated business account mainly adds tools such as invoicing, card terminals and sub-accounts.

Can I pay my autónomo quota from a foreign EU account?

EU rules say public bodies and companies should accept IBANs from any EU country. In practice, a Spanish IBAN avoids delays, so many freelancers use one for tax and Social Security payments.

Is my money protected in an app-based business account?

It depends on the licence. Bank deposits are protected up to €100,000 per holder and per bank. Electronic money institutions must safeguard your money, but it is not covered by the deposit guarantee scheme.

Useful links

• Banco de España: IBAN discrimination and how to act
• Banco de España: banks, payment and electronic money institutions
• Agencia Tributaria e-office (search for “VERI*FACTU” for the current dates)

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and prices change, so check with the official source before you decide. Links marked “(ad)” are affiliate links – NewInSpain may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.