Branch banking in Spain: appointments, hours and small towns

Key rules

• Cash window: Counter cash services end by 11:00 or 12:00.
• Appointments: Book a cita previa for accounts, mortgages and advice.
• Small towns: Many small municipalities have no branch, so check coverage before choosing a bank.
• Regional banks: A bank strong in your region often gives you the closest branch and ATM.

Branch banking runs on appointments and morning hours

Plan to visit a branch in the morning, and book ahead for anything beyond a simple counter task. Many banks have cut hours, closed branches and pushed customers to apps and ATMs.

Most branches open to the public Monday to Friday, from 8:30 or 9:00 to 14:00 or 14:30. Afternoon opening is rare, though some branches open one afternoon a week. Saturday opening has largely disappeared, especially in summer. Hours vary by bank, town and season; Bank, post office and town hall hours helps you plan errands around them.

Cash services (deposits, withdrawals, cheques) stop at 11:00 or 12:00, earlier than other services, so go first thing.

Use cita previa for accounts, mortgages and advice

Most big banks use cita previa for opening an account, a mortgage or advice. You can book by app, website or phone. Simple counter operations are possible without one, but only in those limited hours.

If you are 65 or over, or have a disability, you get priority, personal attention at the counter: ask at the desk, with no appointment. Banks also committed in 2022 to more in-person service.

Small towns have fewer branches

Many small municipalities have no branch at all. Ask your bank or town hall what covers your town before you choose a bank.

The widest rural presence belongs to the Caja Rural group, plus Cajamar in Almería and the east. CaixaBank has the largest national network. Santander and BBVA have shrunk their rural branches. If no branch is close, pick a bank that uses ofibuses, Correos agreements and shared ATMs, and handle the rest by app.

Regional banks can be the practical choice

Away from the big cities, a bank rooted in your region often has the branch and ATM nearest to you. Strong names by area:

• Basque Country: Kutxabank and Laboral Kutxa (also Navarra). Cajasur, part of Kutxabank, is strong in Córdoba and Andalusia.
• Galicia, Asturias and León: Abanca.
• Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León: Unicaja.
• Aragón, La Rioja and Guadalajara: Ibercaja.
• Almería, Murcia, Valencia region and Andalusia: Cajamar.
• Valencia region: Caixa Ontinyent and Caixa Popular.
• Balearic Islands: Colonya (Mallorca) and Sabadell.
• Canary Islands: Cajasiete, a local Caja Rural.
• Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearics: Sabadell. CaixaBank is also strong in Catalonia.
• Madrid: Bankinter is nationwide but Madrid-focused.
• Caja Rural banks are spread across Navarra, Castilla y León, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Valencia, Andalusia, Galicia and elsewhere.