Close a Bank Account in Spain from Abroad (2025): Steps, Rights, Costs

• When can I close? Anytime, no prior notice required.
• Processing Times: The bank must cancel within 24 hours of your request if there is no justified cause to keep it open (for example, overdraft or attached products).
• Fees: Closure is free for open-ended accounts. For fixed-term accounts it is free after month 6, if you close earlier the contract may specify a penalty.
• Leaving the balance at zero is not enough. You must give explicit written instructions to cancel.

Law and know your rights

• General payment-services framework: Real Decreto-ley 19/2018↗.
• Transparency and customer protection: Orden EHA/2899/2011↗.

For more information, see Banco De España - Cancelar una cuenta↗

Banks should offer reasonable remote routes to cancel. Use one of these:

1. Secure message or form in your online banking or app
   Most banks let you request “cierre de cuenta” from the secure area or by sending a signed instruction in the app. Banco de España confirms remote closure and the 24-hour execution rule: Cancelar una cuenta↗. Keep screenshots or PDFs.

2. Certified mail or burofax
   Send a signed closure letter to your branch or to the bank’s customer service address. Burofax↗ provides proof of delivery and content, which is ideal when abroad.

3. Power of attorney (POA) to a trusted person in Spain
   A representative can close the account on your behalf with a POA that explicitly authorizes abrir o cerrar cuentas y firmar órdenes. If granted abroad, legalize it with the Hague Apostille and add a sworn translation when needed. See Apostilla de La Haya – Ministerio de Justicia↗. Many consulates offer notarial services, for example, Consulado en México: Notaría↗.

1. Empty or transfer the balance to another account. Leave a few euros for pending charges then transfer the remainder after the final statement.
2. Cancel direct debits (domiciliaciones) and scheduled transfers. Do it in your app and notify key payees.
3. Stop cards and checkbooks linked to the account; destroy cards after blocking.
4. Ask for a debt or hold check: confirm there are no pending charges or loans or securities accounts linked that block closure. Banks must inform you of pending pro-rata commissions. See Banco de España - Cancelacion↗.
5. Send the closure order by chosen channel (app form, secure message, burofax, certified mail or POA). Keep proof (screenshots, courier receipt, burofax certificate of content).
6. Request written confirmation: a “certificado de cancelación” stating the account is closed and the date.
7. Download statements and tax certificates you may need later.
8. Monitor for 30 days: ensure no stray charges appear and the account stays closed.

Example Scenario:

You left Spain, your bank app still works, but they ask for a wet-ink signature. Send a signed PDF plus a burofax with the original-signature letter to the branch. If they still refuse, escalate to the bank’s Servicio de Atención al Cliente then to the Banco de España if deadlines pass. See Cómo reclamar↗.

• Valid ID (passport or DNI or NIE)
• A signed closure instruction naming the account IBAN and contact details
• For joint accounts: signatures of all holders unless the contract allows unilateral action for your specific request
• If using POA: notarized document with Hague Apostille and if not in Spanish a sworn translation (traducción jurada).

A note for Joint accounts holders: Any co-holder can ask to be removed as a holder; the bank must notify the others and can refuse only for justified cause (for example, negative balance or linked product under that holder). See ¿Puedo darme de baja como cotitular…?↗.

Bank commissions after closure: Only pro-rata amounts may be charged or refunded at the final settlement, see Banco de España - Cancelacion↗.

[Your Full Name] [Your DNI/NIE/passport] [Your current address and email]

A la atención de: [Bank Name] [Office / Postal Address]

ASUNTO: Orden de cancelación de cuenta

Yo, [Name], como titular de la cuenta IBAN [ES..], solicito la CANCELACIÓN DEFINITIVA de la misma y la baja de todos los servicios asociados.

Declaro que:

• No existen adeudos ni operaciones pendientes de liquidar conocidos por mí.
• Autorizo el abono del saldo resultante en la cuenta [IBAN of destination account] o transferencia internacional a [Foreign bank account details].

Solicito justificante escrito de la cancelación con indicación de la fecha efectiva.

Lugar y fecha: [City, country - AAAA-MM-DD] Firma: ______________________

• Linked products (cards or loans or securities): the bank can delay closure only if there is a justified cause, such as negative balance or a product that requires keeping the account active. Ask to unlink the product or switch its settlement account.
• Inactive accounts: keeping an account at €0 without closing it, can still trigger maintenance fees. Banks must alert you to potential costs and cannot create overdrafts only from their own fees. See Cuentas inactivas↗.
• 20-year abandonment: after 20 years with no holder action, balances may be transferred to the State. Banks must try to notify you 3 months before, unless the notice would cost more than the balance. See Saldos en presunción de abandono↗.

• Update your tax address (domicilio fiscal) with the AEAT using Modelo 030. You can do it online↗ with certificado, DNIe or Cl@ve.
• Make sure to keep statements and the closure certificate.
• Inform your employer, landlord and utilities companies about your new IBAN for payments.

1. First, complain to the bank via its Servicio de Atención al Cliente. This is mandatory.
2. If they do not reply in time or you disagree with the reply, escalate to the Banco de España. Deadlines: 15 business days for payment-service issues and 1 month for others if you are a consumer (2 months if not). See Banco de España guidance in English: How to make a complaint↗.

Attach your burofax delivery and content certificates, screenshots of app requests and any written refusal. Strong evidence speeds things up.

This guide is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Processes and timelines can vary by entity and province. Always check your contract and the latest official guidance.