Getting rid of an expired ID card is not that complicated. However, what at first might seem like a simple oversight can end up becoming a headache. Because? Because banks usually restrict the operation of accounts if the holder has an expired ID, to the point that they can block them.
And having the account blocked is the same as not having it. You cannot touch the money, collect payroll, pay bills, or use the card. The money is still there, but it cannot be used.
Current regulations require banks to identify their clients. And when a client’s ID expires, he has to present the new one. “Some banks usually notify the client when their DNI is about to expire so that they remember to present the new one, the problem is that these notices are sometimes ignored,” explain sources from the financial products comparator HelpMyCash.com. But can the bank really block an account for this reason?
The Bank of Spain clarifies that “if the client has an expired DNI, the adoption of restrictive measures is not considered proportionate, except for justified reasons such as, for example, when the client’s identity cannot be proven. The same criteria would be applied in cases of expiration of the residence permit.”
However, the truth is that an expired ID usually causes problems. Sometimes banks apply restrictive measures gradually, but other times they choose to directly block the account. In principle, the bank should notify before reaching this point, but sometimes it does so afterwards or the customer does not even realize that they cannot use their account until they try to make a transfer or pay for a purchase.
To begin with, if the client considers that the bank’s measures are disproportionate, they can send a complaint to their entity’s customer service and if their response does not satisfy them or they do not respond, subsequently to the Bank of Spain. But this process can take a long time, so the ideal would be not to have to resort to it.
When your DNI is about to expire, it is advisable to renew it and present it at all the banks where you have an account. In some entities it will be enough to take a photo of the new one and upload it to the app, while in others you need to go to a branch to have it digitized.
It is also a good idea to have a second bank account with some money in case the main one ends up blocked. In this way, “we will have a means to continue paying bills, collect our payroll or pay for purchases,” the experts add. This second account may also end up inoperative if the DNI is not presented, but it is unlikely that both banks will block them at the same time.
If we want to maintain a second account to use, if the main one is not operational, HelpMyCash recommends opening one that has no commissions or conditions, so as not to have to worry about meeting any requirements. We can take advantage of the second account to have some advantage that our main bank does not give us, such as, for example, a card to withdraw money and pay abroad or profitability.
The Revolut current account with a Spanish IBAN is free and has no obligations (there is no need to direct deposit a payroll or receipts). The card also has no maintenance costs. This mobile bank has a very simple, intuitive app with many functionalities and offers advantages such as the possibility of withdrawing money for free at all ATMs in the world or paying in other currencies without commissions. In addition, you can earn points (one point for every 10 euros spent) to exchange for Avios for traveling or for discounts on accommodation.
Another bank where we can have a secondary account without commissions or conditions is BBVA. Your Online Account for new customers is free and includes a super secure debit card. The Aqua debit card, which is free, does not have numbers and its CVV changes, making it especially safe when purchasing online.
In addition, now, the bank returns every month for a year the amount of electricity, gas, telephone and Internet bills deposited into the account with a maximum of 60 gross euros per month. Depending on our expenses, we can go up to a year without paying for Internet or electricity. To sign up for the online account and take advantage of this promotion, you must use the code RECIBOS720 during the registration process and maintain a balance of at least 400 euros in the account.
The main advantage of the EVO Banco Smart Account is a profitability of 2.85% APR for a balance of up to 30,000 euros, which the bank guarantees until January of next year (from then on, it could change). This account has no commissions or conditions, the associated card is free and allows you to make immediate transfers for free, which arrive at their destination in 10 seconds even if they are made at night or during the weekend.
