The best Spanish banks for US Expats (and how to save on sworn translation costs)

When opening a bank account or applying for a mortgage in Spain as an American, paperwork can quickly become a headache. In Spain, official procedures often require expensive sworn translations (traducción jurada) for foreign tax returns, bank statements, and pay stubs.

Based on my daily experience with international clients in Barcelona, CaixaBank and Sabadell are currently the two best Spanish banks for US citizens.

Here is why they stand out for US profiles:

• No Translation Required: Both banks accept standard financial documents directly in English (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements), saving you hundreds of euros in translation fees and weeks of delay.
• English-Speaking Managers: They have dedicated international hubs with account managers who speak fluent English.
• Established FATCA Processes: Because both institutions deal with US expats regularly, their compliance departments handle US tax documentation seamlessly.

Choosing a bank that already understands American financial profiles saves you immense time, money, and stress during the mortgage process.

Also, as always — feel free to ask me ANY questions in the comments about mortgages, bank approvals, or buying property in Spain as a US citizen! 👇