Hey everyone! I just arrived in Spain not long ago and finally sorted out the important task of getting a bank card. I opened an ING ‘Cuenta NoCuenta’. I saw some people asking about it on the forums, so I decided to write down my personal experience to help out other students who are new here. Hope this helps!
Why Did I Choose ING?
Before I came, I heard recommendations for ING from senior students, who said it’s very student-friendly. I also compared it with a few other banks, like Santander and BBVA. In the end, I chose ING mainly for these reasons:
- Completely Free: There are no account maintenance fees or annual charges, which is a huge plus for us students!
- Easy to Open: You can apply online and just make one trip in person to finalize it. You don’t need to deposit a large sum of money or buy insurance, which some other banks offering [Spanish student bank cards] might require.
- Free Transfers: There are no fees for transfers within Spain or the SEPA zone, making it convenient to pay your landlord or transfer money between friends.
- Convenient Cash Withdrawals: Although ING has few physical branches, it partners with many other banks. You can withdraw cash for free from Euronet, Cashzone, and Banca March ATMs. Plus, you can get cashback when you shop at certain supermarkets, which is quite handy.
Of course, there are downsides. The main one is the lack of physical branches. If you need to do something at the counter, like getting official bank statements for a Spanish student visa, you might have to travel a bit further. However, most transactions can be handled through the app nowadays, so it’s not a big issue.
Application Process and Documents
I applied online and then went in person to verify my identity. The whole process was quite smooth. Here are the documents I prepared:
| Required Document | Notes |
|---|
| Passport | Original, must be valid |
| NIE Number | Your TIE (residence card) or the white paper NIE certificate will work |
| Proof of Address (Empadronamiento) | Must be issued within the last three months |
| University Acceptance Letter or Proof of Enrollment | To prove your student status |
After filling out the information online, you’ll be asked to choose the nearest office to verify your identity and sign the documents. The staff member who helped me was very nice; they checked my documents, took a photo, and had me sign a few papers. The whole thing took about 20 minutes. After that, I just had to wait for the card to arrive at home. My debit card was delivered in about a week, which was reasonably fast.
Once you receive the card, remember to activate it through the app or at an ATM. The ING app is also designed to be simple and clear; checking your balance, viewing transactions, and making transfers is very straightforward. Overall, the account opening experience was excellent. If you’re also new to Spain and don’t want to waste money on bank fees, I genuinely recommend considering ING’s Cuenta NoCuenta. Having a straightforward, no-fee account can make managing your finances much easier, which is one less thing to worry about compared to complex issues like dealing with insufficient bank statements for a Spanish student visa. Hope this helps anyone who needs it!
