Cards, Bizum and cash

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you will know which payment tool to use where, what the limits and traps are, and how to react to a lost card.

Start with "How everyday payments work in Spain". It gives the overall picture and shows what newcomers most often misread. From there, move on to the pages on cards, Bizum, paying by phone, cash and ATMs, cash limits, and lost or stolen cards.

Key rules

• Contactless PIN: Contactless card payments work without a PIN up to 50 euros each, and your card asks for the PIN once the total since your last PIN reaches 150 euros or after five contactless payments in a row.
• Bizum limit: A Bizum payment can be from 0.50 euros up to 1,000 euros per transaction, with up to 150 operations per day, and your bank may set lower limits.
• Cash payment limit: Cash payments are limited to 1,000 euros when a business or professional is involved, or 10,000 euros if you are a non-resident individual paying someone who is not acting as a business or professional.
• Unrecognised payments: Tell your bank about an unrecognised card payment within 13 months of the debit, and the most you can lose on a lost or stolen card before you report it is 50 euros.
• Cash at the border: You must declare cash of 10,000 euros or more when entering or leaving Spain.
• Card: Use a card as your default way to pay; most shops and restaurants accept it.

Documents you may need

Income and work

• Recent payslips from your employer — Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash
• Your tax returns — Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash

The home and the lease

• A sale contract — Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash

Payments and receipts

• Withdrawal receipts from your bank — Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash

Translations and legal papers

• A property deed from the notary — Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash

Other documents

• Inheritance documents — Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash
• The customs declaration — Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash

Cards, Bizum and cash: questions that cross several articles

Should I use a debit or a credit card for everyday shopping in Spain?

Debit is the usual everyday card in Spain, and most current accounts come with one by default. Credit cards are common too, but they are usually optional and often come with rewards or fee waivers. Read Debit, credit and prepaid cards in Spain for how each behaves, and Using your foreign cards in Spain without extra fees for your first weeks.

Can I use Bizum before I have a Spanish bank account?

No, Bizum needs a Spanish IBAN account at a participating bank, plus a mobile number linked to it. You do not need Spanish citizenship, but opening the account usually requires a NIE or ID. Read Bizum: what it is and how to get it, and use Using your foreign cards in Spain without extra fees until your account is ready.

Why do some Spanish ATMs charge me a fee, and how do I avoid it?

Some ATMs charge non-customers, commonly 1 to 2 euros at banks and often 3 to 5 euros or more at independent machines. The ATM must show the fee on screen before you withdraw and let you cancel at no cost. Your own bank may add its own fee on top, so read Cash and ATMs in Spain: when you still need them and Using your foreign cards in Spain without extra fees.

Where do I still need cash if cards and Bizum are so common?

Carry a little cash for street markets, small bars and kiosks, tips, private sales, and some private landlords, tradespeople or rural businesses. Most shops and restaurants take cards. Read Cash and ATMs in Spain: when you still need them, and Cash limits in Spain: paying and bringing cash for the legal ceilings.