Good to know
Good to Know
- Girona is a compact medieval city where cards are widely accepted in central areas, but always carry €40–€50 in small bills for local markets, small vendors, and tipping
- Avoid blue-and-yellow Euronet ATMs in tourist areas—use bank-branded ATMs instead (CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander branches)
- Always decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs; choose 'Charge in EUR' to get mid-market rates instead of ATM markups
- Contactless (tap-to-pay) and mobile wallets are the norm in 2026; chip-and-PIN cards still useful as backup
- Tipping is genuinely optional in Spain—locals often round up or leave small change, not percentage-based tips
- If paying by card at restaurants, tip in cash if possible; card-added tips don't always reach the server
- Spanish banks typically open 8:30 AM–2:00 PM; if you have ATM issues, visit during these hours
Fees
- Note
- Non-resident accounts typically have higher fees than resident accounts; fees are less transparent than other countries.
Typical Costs
- Debit Card Annual
- €15
- Maintenance Annual
- €50
- Non Resident Certificate Processing
- €15
Some banks charge this if they obtain the certificate for you
Requirements
Both
- Proof of address (utility bill, rental contract)
- Proof of employment status / professional activity
- Non-resident certificate (certificado de no residencia) – obtained from police station (~10 days) or bank can request for fee (~€15)
- NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) – optional for some banks but useful for long-term banking
- Any foreign documents must be translated to Spanish and notarized (apostilled)
EU Residents
- ID from country of origin or passport
- Some banks require CUE (Certificate of EU Citizen Registration)
Non EU Residents
- Valid passport
Account Opening Process
- Timeline
- Typically 1–5 days for account activation after document submission. Non-resident certificate acquisition can add ~2 weeks.
Online Capable Banks
- Santander (video ID verification available for select countries)
- BBVA
- HolaBank/CaixaBank (digital option)
- N26
- Revolut
Branch Visit Required Banks
- Banco Sabadell
- CaixaBank (traditional)
- Bankinter
ATM Fees
- Overview
- Variable depending on card issuer and ATM operator
- Recommendations
- Use official bank ATMs (CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander, Deutsche Bank) rather than independent machines; always select 'Decline Conversion' or 'Without Conversion' to avoid dynamic currency conversion markup (3–10% loss)
- Typical Charges
- Bank surcharges often €2–€7 per transaction for non-customers; independent ATMs (Euronet, Cashzone, Euro Automatic Cash) can charge €4–€7 or more
Tipping Norms
- Payment Method
- Cash preferred; card tips may not reach staff reliably
- Overall Note
- Tipping is discretionary and appreciated as a reward for good service, not an obligation. Spanish workers earn fixed salaries and do not depend on tips. Tips given in cash are preferred and more likely to reach the server.
Taxis
- Guidance
- Not expected; rounding up to nearest euro acceptable; €1–2 if driver assists with luggage
CaféS Bars
- Guidance
- Not customary for drinks only; if seated with food, rounding up or €1–2 is polite; tip jar on counter for loose change acceptable
Restaurants Casual
- Example
- €23 meal → leave €25
- Guidance
- Round up bill or leave small change
Restaurants Upscale
- Guidance
- 5–10% tip appreciated but not mandatory; service is optional and based on quality
- Note
- Check bill for 'servicio incluido' (service included) first
Card Acceptance
- Details
- Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless payments standard in shops, restaurants, and transport
- City Level
- High in urban areas and tourist zones
- Note
- Some small cafés, local markets, and family-run businesses may prefer or only accept cash
Key Caveat
Many traditional banks require at least one in-person visit to a branch to verify ID and hand over documents, even if you start online. Digital banks (HolaBank, N26, Revolut) allow fully remote account opening in most cases.
Eligibility
Non-residents (habitual residence outside Spain, not paying Spanish resident taxes) can open bank accounts with valid passport.
Best Options For Nomads
- Digital Alternatives
- HolaBank (CaixaBank), N26, Revolut (no monthly fees, online-first, lower international transfer costs)
- Full Service Traditional Banks
- Santander, BBVA, Sabadell (large ATM networks, relocation support, English-speaking staff at some branches)
Major Banks Offering Accounts
Major Banks Offering Accounts
- Banco Santander
- BBVA
- CaixaBank (including HolaBank digital option)
- Banco Sabadell
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.wise.com
- 2.chase.com
- 3.atmfeesaver.com
- 4.spanaly.com
- 5.portal-cec.consumo.gob.es
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- 7.trafalgar.com
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- 10.radicalstorage.com
- 11.euroweeklynews.com
- 12.mappingspain.com
- 13.community.ricksteves.com
- 14.wise.com
- 15.afar.com
- 16.blogofsunshine.com
- 17.tradingeconomics.com
- 18.xe.com
- 19.wise.com
- 20.clinicagirona.cat
- 21.mumabroad.com
- 22.guidetogirona.com
- 23.en.wikipedia.org
- 24.costabravalifestyle.com
- 25.guidetogirona.com
- 26.arrivalguides.com
- 27.healthplanspain.com
- 28.bancosantander.es
- 29.wise.com
- 30.bancsabadell.com
- 31.gamanlawyers.com
- 32.spaineasy.com
- 33.spainresidency.com
- 34.wise.com
- 35.spainexpat.com
- 36.remitly.com
- 37.movingtospain.com
- 38.axaglobalhealthcare.com
- 39.expatica.com
- 40.guides.waypointsur.com
- 41.bsurehealthspain.com
- 42.feather-insurance.com
- 43.spaineasy.com
- 44.innoinsure.com
- 45.wise.com
More About Girona
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.