Bank, post office and town hall hours, planning errands around them

Terms used

• Cita previa — Cita previa is an appointment you book, online or by phone, before visiting a bank, town hall or other office.
• Correos — Correos is Spain's national postal service.
• Registro — The registro is the town hall counter where you file documents and applications.
• Padrón — The padrón is the town hall's register of residents, where you sign up as living in the town.
• Sede electrónica — The sede electrónica is an official body's online office, where you find services and information.
• Jornada intensiva — Jornada intensiva is a continuous working day, usually in summer, without a long lunch break.

Key rules

• Bank hours: Bank branches usually serve customers Monday to Friday from about 8:30 or 9:00 to 14:00 or 14:30, with shorter hours in summer.
• Town hall: Counters usually open weekdays from about 9:00 to 14:00, and many need a cita previa.
• Post office: Large city offices stay open into the evening; small offices may open only mornings.
• Summer: Expect shorter hours or no afternoons from June or July to September, and check before you go.

Do your errands before 14:00

Plan every bank, town hall and small post office visit for the morning, and go on a weekday. Afternoons are mostly closed to the public, and Saturdays are rare for banks and town halls.

Banks

Bank branches usually serve customers Monday to Friday from about 8:30 or 9:00 to 14:00 or 14:30, with shorter hours in summer. Few open in the afternoon, though a handful open one afternoon a week.

• Cash and counter services are often limited to a shorter window, such as until 11:00 or 12:00. Go early if you need them.
• Many branches now want a cita previa for anything that is not cash. Book online or by phone before you go.
• Saturday opening has mostly disappeared. A few branches open Saturday mornings from October to March, but do not count on it.
• Cash machines work 24 hours.

Summer hours often run from 1 June or 1 July to 30 September. In that period some branches close at 14:00 or earlier.

Post office

Hours depend on the size of the office.

• Large city offices of Correos are typically open Monday to Friday from about 8:30 to 20:30 and Saturday from 9:30 to 13:00. These are the best choice if you can only go late in the day.
• Medium offices often open 8:30 to 14:30 or 15:00 on weekdays and Saturday 9:30 to 13:00.
• Small and rural offices may open only mornings, for example 9:00 to 14:00, and some do not open on Saturdays. In rural areas the postal worker (cartero rural) visits on set days.

Summer schedules can cut afternoon and Saturday opening. Look up your office's hours on the Correos website before you go.

Town hall

Public-service counters, such as the registro and the padrón, usually open Monday to Friday from about 9:00 to 14:00. Some larger cities add a few afternoon hours or one afternoon a week.

• Many town halls require cita previa, especially for the padrón, taxes and civil registry. Walk-ins may be limited, so book first.
• In summer, often from mid-June or July to September, hours may shorten (for example 9:00 to 13:30) or the afternoon opening is dropped.
• Each town hall sets its own hours. They are on its website and its sede electrónica.

Summer and August

Many offices and public administrations switch to jornada intensiva in summer, typically from about 15 June or 1 July to 31 August or mid-September. Work runs continuously, roughly 8:00 to 15:00, with no long lunch break. Dates depend on the employer and the town.

Many small shops, especially in holiday towns, keep split hours or close for August. Large shops and malls trade continuously all year. For shops, pharmacies and offices side by side, see the comparison below.

How to plan your trip

1. Book the cita previa first, then pick the slot.
2. Aim for mid-morning, after opening and well before closing.
3. Keep Monday to Friday mornings free for the town hall and the bank.
4. Use a large city post office if you need late or Saturday service.
5. In summer, check hours again, because winter times may not apply.

Typical opening hours compared, shops, banks, offices and pharmacies

Spanish businesses run on different clocks. Shops, pharmacies and some offices close at midday, while supermarkets and malls stay open, and banks and town halls shut at about 14:00. In summer, banks, town halls and offices shorten their hours, while shops and pharmacies mostly keep theirs.

What the table means for your week

• Errands at a bank or town hall: go in the morning. After 14:30 you will usually find them closed.
• Midday gaps: between about 14:00 and 17:00, small shops and most pharmacies are closed. Supermarkets and malls are your fallback.
• Sundays: plan your shopping for Saturday. Small-format supermarkets and some stores in big cities or tourist zones may open, but this depends on the region and the store.
• Appointments: many banks and town halls ask for an appointment for anything beyond cash or a quick question.
• Late afternoons: in big cities and tourist areas, many shops now open continuously. A few close on Monday mornings or one weekday afternoon.
• Pharmacies: a few in big cities open all day, and a few open 24 hours. The minimum hours differ by region.

Each shop, branch and town hall sets its own hours within regional rules. Check the door sign, the business's online listing, or the town hall's website before making a trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still go to the bank on a Saturday?

Rarely, because Saturday opening at bank branches has mostly disappeared. A few branches open on Saturday mornings from October to March, so ask your branch. If you need a counter service, plan it for a weekday morning.

Is the post office open on Saturday mornings?

Yes, larger and medium Correos offices usually open on Saturday from 9:30 to 13:00, but small and rural offices may not open at all. In summer, Saturday opening can be reduced.

Do I need an appointment at the town hall?

Often yes, because many town halls ask for a cita previa (a booked appointment), especially for the padrón (local residents' register), taxes and the civil registry. Book online or by phone, and walk-ins may be limited. Check your town hall's website for its hours and booking page.

Will small shops be open in August?

Not always, because many small shops, especially in holiday towns, close for August or keep split hours. Large shops and malls trade continuously all year. Plan important purchases before August or use a large store.