How to Open a US Business Bank Account from Spain
If you are running or launching a US LLC from Spain, you can open a real US business bank account without flying to America. Here is exactly what that process looks like.
Yes, you can open a US business bank account from Spain
You do not need a US visa, a US address, or a trip to the United States to open a business bank account for your US LLC. Several fintech-style banking providers built their onboarding specifically for non-resident founders, and Spain based founders use them regularly. The catch is that your paperwork has to be in order before you apply, because these providers approve or reject applications largely based on the documents and information you submit up front.
What you need before you apply
Before any bank or fintech will look at your application, you need three things in place.
- A registered US LLC. Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico are the most common choices for non-US founders because of low annual costs and simple maintenance requirements. Your LLC needs a Certificate of Formation and an assigned Registered Agent in the state.
- An EIN (Employer Identification Number). This is your business tax ID, issued by the IRS, and every provider will ask for it. As a non-US founder without an SSN, you get your EIN by filing Form SS-4 and, in most cases, submitting it by fax or mail since the IRS's online EIN tool is restricted to applicants with a US taxpayer number. This step is the one that most often causes delays because processing by fax can take several weeks.
- A clear business description and US operating details. Providers want to know what your business actually does, who your customers are, and whether you have any US ties (a US address, US co-founder, US clients). Vague or generic descriptions are a common reason for rejection.
You do not need an ITIN to open a business bank account. An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a personal tax number for people who are not eligible for a Social Security Number, and it matters for filing personal or informational tax returns, not for opening the account itself. Some founders get one anyway because certain platforms or later banking relationships ask for it, but it is not a prerequisite for Mercury, Wise, or Relay.
Providers that actually onboard Spain residents
| Provider | Type | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | US business banking platform | Founders wanting a full banking dashboard, virtual and physical cards, ACH and wire transfers | Popular default for foreign-owned LLCs, but has tightened underwriting and rejects applications with thin or inconsistent documentation |
| Wise Business | Multi-currency account with US routing details | Founders who need to hold and convert EUR and USD together, or pay European suppliers | Not a full US bank account, but provides US account and routing numbers usable for most invoicing and payment needs |
| Relay | US business banking platform | Founders who want multiple sub-accounts for budgeting, plus debit cards for a team | Onboards non-residents but generally expects a more developed US business presence than Mercury did in its earlier days |
None of these are guaranteed approvals. Each reviews your LLC's state of formation, your EIN documentation, your personal identification (passport is standard), and your business activity before deciding. Some founders apply to more than one in parallel to improve their odds of landing at least one working account quickly.
Common reasons Spanish founders get declined
Most rejections trace back to a small number of avoidable issues.
- Applying before the EIN is confirmed. Some founders submit applications with a pending EIN or a placeholder number. Providers want the finalized EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) from the IRS.
- Mismatched information. If your LLC's registered name, your passport name, or your business address are inconsistent across documents, that raises flags in automated review.
- Vague or high-risk business descriptions. Anything sounding like cryptocurrency trading, money transmission, or adult content triggers extra scrutiny or automatic decline at several providers.
- No verifiable online presence. A live website, LinkedIn profile, or basic business documentation helps confirm you are operating a real business rather than opening a shell account.
- Using a residential address in a high-risk jurisdiction without explanation. This alone rarely causes rejection, but combined with other thin details it adds up.
What to do if you get declined
A decline from one provider is not final. First, ask the provider (if they respond to inquiries) what specifically triggered the rejection, since some will give general guidance. Second, tighten your documentation: make sure your EIN confirmation letter, LLC formation documents, and passport all show identical names and addresses. Third, apply to a different provider rather than reapplying immediately to the same one, since some platforms flag repeat applications. Founders who get declined by Mercury sometimes find success with Relay or vice versa, simply because underwriting criteria and current risk appetite differ between them.
If you are setting up the LLC, EIN, and bank account all at once, it is worth having someone coordinate the sequence so you are not caught applying for banking with an incomplete IRS filing. This is exactly the kind of coordination Founders Credit handles for European founders: we form the LLC, get the EIN filed correctly with the IRS, and manage the bank and card applications so the paperwork lines up the first time instead of triggering avoidable declines.
A note on ongoing compliance
Opening the account is the start, not the end. A foreign-owned single-member LLC in the US is required to file Form 5472 along with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, even if the LLC had no income and no activity. This is an information return, it does not calculate or pay tax on its own, but skipping it carries a penalty of $25,000 per missed filing. Keep this on your calendar the moment your bank account is open, since it is easy to forget once the exciting part (having a working US account) is done.
Quick glossary
EIN (Employer Identification Number): A tax ID number issued by the IRS to businesses, required to open a US bank account and to file US tax forms, obtainable by non-residents via Form SS-4.
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number): A personal tax ID for individuals who are not eligible for a Social Security Number, used for personal tax filings, not required to open a business bank account.
Registered Agent: A person or company with a physical address in your LLC's state of formation, legally required to receive official mail and legal notices on behalf of the LLC.
Form 5472: An annual IRS information return required for foreign-owned single-member LLCs, filed alongside a pro-forma Form 1120, with a $25,000 penalty for late or missed filing.
Pro-forma 1120: A simplified version of the standard US corporate tax return, filed as a cover document alongside Form 5472 rather than to report tax owed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to visit the US to open a business bank account from Spain?
No. Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay all support fully remote onboarding for non-US residents. You will submit your LLC documents, EIN confirmation, and passport online, with no in-person branch visit required.
How long does it take to get a US business bank account from Spain?
If your LLC is already formed and your EIN is confirmed, account approval with providers like Mercury or Wise can happen within a few business days. The EIN step itself, done by fax or mail for non-residents, is usually the longest part of the whole process and can take several weeks.
Can I use Wise Business instead of a traditional US bank account?
Wise Business gives you US account and routing numbers that work for most invoicing, ACH payments, and receiving USD, but it is not a chartered US bank account in the traditional sense. Many founders use Wise alongside Mercury or Relay rather than as a full replacement.
Is an ITIN required before I can open a US bank account?
No. An ITIN is a personal tax number and is not required to open a business bank account for your LLC. It becomes relevant later if you need to file certain personal US tax forms.
What happens if my bank account application is rejected?
Check that your LLC name, EIN confirmation letter, and passport details match exactly, clarify your business description, and consider applying to a different provider rather than immediately reapplying to the one that declined you. Underwriting criteria vary between Mercury, Wise, and Relay, so a decline from one does not mean the others will decline too.
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