What is a bank or checking account?

A checking account is a financial account that is used to carry out the various day-to-day banking operations, such as depositing money, paying for a purchase or withdrawing cash at ATMs. Other banking products such as cards or insurance may be associated with a bank account.

How does a checking account work?

Once you open an account, the funds you have entrusted to BBVA in a deposit will be registered in the account designated for you. You can withdraw these funds whenever you wish. The financial transactions that occur in your checking account over a certain period will be reported to you in a bank statement, called an account status. This document will show the balance of your accounts and loans to let you know how much you have.

What types of bank accounts are there?

BBVA has several types of checking accounts: Checking accounts, such as the Cuenta Online sin Comisiones . Accounts for your salary, such as the No-Fee Salary Account . Accounts for young people, such as the Young Person's Online Account and the Young Person's Salary Account .

What are the requirements for opening and maintaining a checking account?

There are two requirements you must meet in order to open a checking account: Be 18 years or older. Be a resident of Spain (and thus have a DNI or TIE card number).

Which bank account is right for me?

It always depends on your needs and goals. You can use it to share expenses, save or manage your income and make payments more efficiently. Some bank accounts focus on one or more of these goals.

How to open a checking account?

You have to satisfy a series of requirements to become a BBVA customer and open an online account, whether through BBVA.es (on a computer, tablet, or mobile) or the BBVA app (for iOS and Android). More information

What are the differences between a savings account and a checking account?

A checking account is the most common type of account. It can be used for a wide range of banking operations, from making transfers to third parties to checking your banking activity. You can also direct deposit income and direct debit bills. In most cases, there is a debit card associated with it. A savings account is a type of bank account that offers small returns to customers on the savings deposited in the account. Unlike a checking account, income and bills cannot be direct deposited/debited, and there is no card associated with it to make payments. More information

Can I add a second holder to my bank account?

Yes, it's possible. You can open a joint account or add a second holder to your bank account. We explain how to do it here .

Is there a fee for online transfers?

On bbva.es, the BBVA app and at ATMs, pay no fees for transfers in euros, Swedish krona or Romanian Leu (ron) within the European Economic Area (members of the European Union + Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Not including transfers on magnetic media, FMOs (Fund Movement Orders), same-day-value transfers and immediate transfers. For transfers which are not included, accompanying expenses and transfer fees established for these purposes do apply.

What happens if I have an overdraft?

Overdraft fees are as follows: Annual interest rate for authorized overdraft. 7.25% NIR. Salary account overdraft fee: 4.50% (minimum amount €15). Account overdraft fee: €0 if not over €18. From €18.01 up, the management fee is €30. The APR resulting from the application of borrowing interest and the overdraft fee is legally restricted for "consumers" and cannot be more than 2.5 times higher than the legal interest rate. Any change to the legal interest rate will automatically modify the APR applied to overdrafts.

RISK LEVEL

1/6

This number indicates the product risk, with 1 / 6 representing the lowest risk and 6 / 6 representing the highest risk.

BBVA is affiliated with Spain's Deposit Guarantee Fund for Credit Institutions. The maximum amount guaranteed is €100,000 per person for the total of all deposits established at BBVA.

Bank Accounts from a major bank

At BBVA you can open a checking account with no fees or conditions for your usual transactions. But you will have a whole bank to boost your money and move forward towards your goals.

Save with bank accounts for €0

Millions of people do not pay fees at BBVA. Join them.

Fee-Free Online Account

€0 for administration and maintenance of the account, without conditions.

€0 for issuance and maintenance of the Aqua Debit Card.

Up to €1,200 and no fees, it's all upsides!

You can get up to €600 during the first year just by using your account, and if you bring your savings too, we'll double it to €1,200!

+€100 for using your card.

+€100 for bringing your bills to the account.

+€400 for bringing your paycheck.

Double your total up to €1,200 if you maintain a balance of more than €20,000

Enter this code when you open your account before 5/20/2026:

Copy code PLAN1200
Become a BBVA customer

Online Account
Fee-Free Salary Account

€0 for administration and maintenance of the account, without conditions.

€0 for issuance and maintenance of the Aqua Debit Card.

You can get up to €600 during the first year just by using your account, and if you bring your savings too, we'll double it to €1,200!

Enter this code when you open your account before 5/20/2026:

Copy code PLAN1200
Become a BBVA customer

See Salary Account
Online Account for Minors 0 to 17

€0 for administration and maintenance of the account, without conditions.

€0 for issuance and maintenance of the Aqua Debit Card.

Adapted app and Bizum from the age of 12.

Do you want to add €65 to your grant?

Set up direct deposit for your children’s scholarships or grant (state or regional) for ages 3 to 17 into their BBVA account, and we’ll give you an additional €65.

Offer valid through May 31, 2026

Use this code when opening your account:

Copy code BECA65
Open your account

See Account for Minors
Young Person's Fee-Free Online Account

€0 for administration and maintenance of the account, without conditions.

€0 for issuance and maintenance of the Aqua Máxima Debit Card.

€0 fees on your trips abroad, including weekends.

Up to €100 refunds each year on your subscriptions.
Become a BBVA customer

See the Joven Account
Savings Pack: Online Account + Goals Account

€0 account administration and maintenance fees, with no conditions.

€0 for issuance and maintenance of the Aqua Debit Card.

The BBVA app has automatic rules that make saving money effortless.
Become a BBVA customer

See Savings Pack

A bank account that's right for you?

If you have a business, you can start at BBVA easily and with zero fees on regular services.

Would you like to win €1,200? Direct debit your self-employment contributions and bills, use your card and maintain an account balance of more than €20,000 for a year.

See accounts
If you have a passport or red card, you can open an account to withdraw cash, pay bills, make deposits and transfers.

See account

Whichever one, you can activate it instantly

With advice

We will guide you in the app to unlock your checking account's full potential.
Always in your hand

You have the bank in your cell phone to save, take out products and set up direct debits.
Helping you with transfers

We'll bring what you have in other banks to BBVA, so you don't have to worry about anything.
And experts available to help you

There is an expert team available, from the app or at one of our 1,800 branches.

You will have full control of your money

Instant transfers and Bizum at no cost.

Expenditure management and automatic savings rules to take care of and boost your money.

Cash deposits and withdrawals at any of our 4,500+ ATMs.

Overdraft service with your authorized limit to operate without funds in your account.

Security in all your payments.

Payment deferral service so you can pay when it's best for you.

And in your plans, we’ll do the numbers with you

The BBVA app for non-customers

Did you know that you can explore the BBVA app without being a customer and enjoy all its advantages?

More information

Selected as the best bank in 2025

Awarded for Online Account and Salary Account

Get more from your bank

Te contamos cómo y dónde abrir una cuenta bancaria paso a paso y qué requisitos son necesarios para contratarla.

Read the full article
We explain what you need to do to sign up as a BBVA customer online and open a bank account.

Read the full article
Learn more about this option, which allows you to control your accounts and cards, wherever you are and whenever you need to.

Read the full article

Bank Accounts from a major bank

Save with bank accounts for €0

For whatever you want, free of charge

To start making the most of your income

To grow as a family

To make your plans profitable

To make progress towards your goals

A bank account that's right for you?

Accounts for self-employed workers and companies

Pago Básica Account

Whichever one, you can activate it instantly

With advice

Always in your hand

Helping you with transfers

And experts available to help you

You will have full control of your money

Instant transfers and Bizum at no cost.

Expenditure management and automatic savings rules to take care of and boost your money.

Cash deposits and withdrawals at any of our 4,500+ ATMs.

Overdraft service with your authorized limit to operate without funds in your account.

Security in all your payments.

Payment deferral service so you can pay when it's best for you.

And in your plans, we’ll do the numbers with you

Discover the value of a house, or whether it is better to buy than rent.

Find out about your gasoline cost per year or your consumption for a trip.

Calculate your net monthly or gross annual salary.

Calculate the IBAN to make international and national transfers.

The BBVA app for non-customers

Selected as the best bank in 2025

Get more from your bank

Steps for opening a bank account

Requirements for opening an account from bbva.es

Digital bank statement