My husband and I are planning to move to Barcelona next June (we are currently living in the US). He’s Belgian and I’m Korean, and we married here in the US 6 years ago. Before we move to Barcelona for good, we will take a 10-day trip to Barcelona in March 09 to look for an apartment. Here are my questions:

(1) Is it possible to reserve an apartment for renting later from June? If so, do we need an NIE number?

(2) If possible, we would like to open a bank account while we are there (we need to wire our money from the US to Spain). Is it possible to do so without a rental contract showing where we live?

(3) Since my husband is Belgian, him getting a registration card doesn’t seem be that problematic. My understand from reading the posts here is I need to wait until he gets his NIE and then I will be able to apply for mine. Am I correct?

(4) Since our marriage certificate was issued in the US, I guess we need to get it translated into Spain. What should I do to notarize it? Can I do it here in the US before leaving for Spain?

Thanks so much in advance.

Hi BCN,

I dual citizenship in Spain and the USA, and had been living in Spain for the past 2 years, so I can answer some of your questions.

1) reserving an apartment after June might be tough till around sept. depends on the rental market at that time.  Also if you go with an inmobiliaria, you almost will need a NIE number.  If you will be renting from owner, it depends on him.  I’ve had owners tell me that they needed a DNI or DNE to create a contract and others that just didn’t need one.

2) you will have no problem creating a bank account with just your passport. you do not need a rental contract.

Well I’m not familiar with the other two questions.  Good luck with everything

You need a NIE for any transaction in Spain. This can be obtained at your nearest Spanish Consulate, or in Spain without it you cannot open a Bank account using a Spanish address. Do not mix up the NIE number with a residence permission, Residence uses the same number but has to applied for when looking for permanent residence, ask at the Consulate for a visa before you leave for Spain. Lionel

I can tell you for certain from experience for myself, relatives and ex gf that you can open a bank account Without an NIE.  I for myself and my two sisters opened bank accounts prior to moving to Spain nor having a DNI at that time. All I needed was my passport, and using my address in the states.  Just recently in the last two months my cousin and ex gf also opened accounts with BBVA with just their passports.

Yes you can open an account but not on a Spanish address, a non residents account can be opened to receive only funds from outside of Spain and then used for withdrawal in Spain. As our friends were looking to live in Spain my advise was based on that. Lionel

Thanks all for your input!

Lionel westell - 13 November 2008 02:06 PM

Yes you can open an account but not on a Spanish address, a non residents account can be opened to receive only funds from outside of Spain and then used for withdrawal in Spain. As our friends were looking to live in Spain my advise was based on that. Lionel

Not 100% true, unless my account has been grandfathered - my non-resident account allows me full banking capabilities including receipt of funds from Spanish accounts, sin problema.