Paying by phone and contactless in Spain

Key rules

• Wallet support: Nearly all Spanish banks support Apple Pay and Google Pay, but small banks may support only one.
• Phone unlock: Your phone's Face ID, fingerprint or passcode replaces the card PIN for wallet payments.
• Bank limits: Your bank sets its own daily limits on wallet payments, so ask it what yours are.

Contactless works almost everywhere

You can tap a card or phone in nearly all shops, restaurants, taxis and transport in Spain. Whether you can use a phone wallet depends on your bank. When a PIN is asked for follows fixed rules, covered below.

Which banks support phone wallets

Almost all Spanish banks support Apple Pay and Google Pay. That includes Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, Sabadell, Bankinter, Unicaja, Abanca, Kutxabank, Ibercaja, Openbank, ING, EVO, Cajamar, Caja Rural, Laboral Kutxa and imagin. Revolut, N26 and Wise cards work too.

Some smaller banks and credit unions support only one wallet, or only certain card types such as Visa or Mastercard. If yours is small, check its website before you count on it.

Add your card to your phone

You can add the card from your bank's app or from the wallet itself. Many banks offer a one-tap add button in their own app, which is usually the fastest way.

Apple Pay: open the Wallet app and tap +. Choose Debit or credit card. Scan the card or type the details, then verify.

Google Pay (Google Wallet): open the app and tap Add to Wallet. Choose payment card, then scan or type the details. Accept the terms, then verify.

Most Spanish banks verify with an SMS code, a confirmation in the bank's app, or a call to customer service. Some prepaid cards and issuers are not supported. Bizum and some neobank cards may work differently. Bizum setup is in the checklist below.

When a card asks for a PIN

Contactless card payments work without a PIN up to 50 euros each. Your card asks for the PIN once the total since your last PIN reaches 150 euros or after five contactless payments in a row. Entering the PIN resets the count.

A shop or terminal can also ask for a PIN on any payment it flags as risky. Some banks let you raise or lower these limits in their app or by asking them. The counter rules are set by each bank.

Phone payments work differently

Your phone is unlocked with Face ID, a fingerprint or a passcode. That counts as proof it is you, so a wallet payment does not need the card PIN counter. It can go above the card's contactless limit in shops. Your bank may still set its own daily limits, so ask it what they are.

Because of this, a phone is often easier and safer than a tapped card. Nobody can use it without unlocking it.

For common questions and the main traps, see the FAQ and warning below.

Checklist: set up your phone for payments in Spain

Set up your phone for payments in Spain

• Get a Spanish (+34) mobile number and link it to your bank account with your bank.

• Check that your Spanish IBAN account is at a bank that offers Bizum and that you are 18 or older.

• Install your bank's app and log in.

• Open the Bizum section in the app, often under Payments, choose to activate it and accept the terms.

• Confirm your mobile number with the SMS code or in-app authentication.

• Select the account for Bizum payments and receipts.

• Set a Bizum security code or turn on biometrics if the app asks.

• Allow contact access so the app shows which of your contacts use Bizum.

• Add your card to Apple Pay (Wallet app, tap +, Debit or credit card) or Google Pay (Add to Wallet, payment card) by scanning it or typing the details.

What to watch out for

• Surprise PIN request at the till: Your card asks for the PIN once the total since your last PIN reaches 150 euros or after five contactless payments in a row. A shop or terminal can also ask for it on a payment it flags as risky. You can be stuck at the till if you have forgotten the PIN. Know your PIN before you travel. Using it resets the counter. Carry a second payment method, or use your phone wallet.

• Contactless card left unprotected: Contactless payments work without a PIN up to 50 euros each, so a lost or stolen card can be used for small purchases until you report it. Ask your bank whether you can lower the contactless limit, and report a lost card straight away.

Frequently asked questions

Does my bank work with Apple Pay and Google Pay?

Yes, almost all Spanish banks support both Apple Pay and Google Pay, including Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, Sabadell, Bankinter, ING and imagin.

How do I add my card to Apple Pay or Google Pay?

You add a card by opening the Wallet app (Apple) or Google Wallet, choosing a payment card, scanning or typing the details, then verifying. Most Spanish banks verify by SMS code, a confirmation in the bank's app, or a call to customer service. Many banks also let you add the card from their own app.

Do phone payments ask for a PIN like a physical card?

No, phone wallet payments do not ask for a PIN, because unlocking your phone with Face ID, fingerprint or passcode counts as strong authentication. That means they are not held to the small-amount contactless limit.