Bizum and mobile payments in Spain: a guide for newcomers

Updated: October 2026

Within a week of arriving in Spain, someone will ask you to “hacer un Bizum”. Splitting a dinner bill, paying your share of a birthday present or settling up with the padel group – Spaniards send small amounts by phone all the time. This guide is for newcomers who want to join in. You will learn how Bizum works, how to set it up, what the 2026 tax reporting rules mean for you, how to avoid the common scams and which other mobile payment options are widely used.

What Bizum is and how it works

Bizum is an instant payment service created by Spanish banks. It lives inside your bank’s own app: you send money to a mobile phone number instead of an IBAN, and it lands in the other person’s bank account within seconds. There is no separate wallet to top up – the money moves straight from account to account.

• Send money: choose a contact, enter the amount and a short concept, then confirm.
• Request money: ask a contact to pay you. They must accept the request before any money moves.
• Pay online: many Spanish web shops offer Bizum at checkout – you confirm the payment in your bank app instead of typing card details.
• Donate: many charities and NGOs accept donations by Bizum.

For everyday use between people it is generally free, but your bank sets the conditions, so check your account terms.

How to set up Bizum

You need an account at a bank that offers Bizum – most traditional Spanish banks do, as well as some online banks with a Spanish IBAN. Foreign accounts and many international money apps do not support it, so check before you choose a bank. Our guides on opening a bank account and the best banks for expats can help.

1. Get a Spanish mobile number. Most banks link Bizum to a Spanish number – see our guide to mobile providers.
2. Open your bank app and look for “Bizum” in the menu or payments section.
3. Register your phone number and choose the account Bizum should use.
4. Accept the terms and confirm with the code your bank sends you.
5. Check your limits in the app. Bizum and each bank set maximum amounts per payment, per day and per month. If you need to move a large sum, use a normal bank transfer instead.

Each phone number can be linked to one account at a time. If you change bank, deregister Bizum at the old one first, then register at the new one.

Bizum and Hacienda: what changed in 2026

Headlines about “Hacienda watching Bizum” worried many people. Here is what actually changed:

• The rule: Royal Decree 253/2025 updated the information that banks and payment providers must send to the Agencia Tributaria. The new obligations apply from 1 January 2026.
• Who is reported: businesses and professionals (empresarios and profesionales) who receive payments by Bizum. Banks send monthly, aggregated figures – not every single payment.
• Private individuals: Bizum payments between friends and family are not part of this reporting, and Hacienda has stated that Bizum payments between private individuals do not have to be declared.

One important caveat: income is income, whatever the payment method. If you are self-employed, rent out a room or sell things as a regular activity, money received by Bizum must be declared like any other income. If you are unsure, read our guide to the Spanish tax system and ask a gestor.

How to avoid Bizum scams

Bizum payments are instant and usually cannot be reversed, which makes them attractive to fraudsters. The most common tricks:

• The fake “request”: a buyer on a second-hand app says they will “send you a Bizum”, but actually sends a request. If you accept it, you pay them. Read every screen carefully – a request asks you to send money.
• Fake bank calls or texts: nobody from your bank will ask for your passwords or confirmation codes. Hang up and call the number on your card.
• “Wrong number” payments: a stranger says they sent you money by mistake and asks you to return it. Check your actual account balance and contact your bank instead of sending anything.
• Deposits for flats or cars you have not seen: never pay a deposit by Bizum to someone you have not met for something you have not checked. Our renting guide explains safer ways to pay.

If you are scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to the police – the sooner, the better the chance of stopping the money.

Other mobile payments in Spain

Bizum is for paying people and some web shops. In physical shops, other methods dominate:

Method	Best for	Good to know
Bizum	Paying friends, small businesses, online shops	Needs a Spanish bank account offering Bizum
Contactless card	Shops, bars, supermarkets, transport	Accepted almost everywhere; may ask for your PIN above a certain amount
Apple Pay, Google Pay and similar	Same as contactless card	Your card must be supported by your bank
Bank transfer	Rent, deposits, larger amounts	Gives a clearer paper trail
Cash	Markets, small bars, tips	Still useful in villages and at local fiestas

Carry a little cash anyway: some small bars, market stalls and village shops prefer it, and card terminals occasionally fail. Our cultural differences guide covers other everyday surprises.

Useful links

• Legálitas – Bizum and Hacienda: 2026 changes (Spanish)
• HelpMyCash – who the 2026 Bizum reporting affects (Spanish)
• El Español – Bizum between individuals does not need declaring (Spanish)
• How to open a bank account in Spain
• The best banks in Spain for expats

FAQ: Bizum

Can I use Bizum with a foreign bank account?

Generally not. Bizum works through participating banks with Spanish accounts, so you need a Spanish IBAN at a bank that offers it.

Is Bizum free?

Payments between individuals are usually free, but each bank sets its own conditions. Businesses that accept Bizum may pay fees under their merchant agreement.

Can I cancel a Bizum I sent by mistake?

Usually not, because payments are instant. Ask the recipient to send it back and contact your bank if they do not. Payments to numbers not registered in Bizum may stay pending for a short time and can then be cancelled.

Will Hacienda tax the Bizums my friends send me?

No – Bizum payments between private individuals are not reported and do not have to be declared. Money linked to a business, professional activity or rental income is a different matter and must be declared.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not financial or tax advice. Bank conditions, limits and tax rules can change – check with your bank and the Agencia Tributaria, and ask a gestor or tax adviser about your own situation.