Bizum can now be used to pay at physical stores in Spain: how it works

Bizum allows payment at physical stores in Spain from May 18, 2026. This new digital option is first implemented by some banks and facilitates cardless payments, only with the mobile and phone number.

The transformation of the payment method, increasingly digital and less dependent on cash or physical cards, takes a new step with the arrival of Bizum at in-person stores. Convenience and speed drive this trend, which will change the way retail shopping is done.

How does payment with Bizum work at physical stores?

What does the customer need to do to pay with Bizum?

The customer only needs to have their bank’s application or the Bizum Pay app, which acts as a digital card. To pay, the mobile is brought close to the card reader using NFC technology and the transfer is made directly between accounts using the phone number.

Which banking institutions allow payment with Bizum in stores?

Currently, the service is available for customers of CaixaBank, Banco Sabadell, and Bankinter, with the progressive incorporation of other banks in the following months. This causes the use to spread quickly throughout Spain.

Why is this system interesting for stores and customers?

How does Bizum benefit physical stores?

The immediate transfer improves business liquidity, as the money moves directly from account to account, avoiding delays. Also, the commission is more competitive than that of traditional card payments, although it is not free.

What advantages does it have for end users?

Users do not need to carry cards or cash. Only the mobile phone and their banking app. This simplifies the shopping experience and enhances security, with fast transactions and without global intermediaries like Visa or Mastercard.

Impact and future of Bizum in face-to-face payment in Spain

How will Bizum’s use change local commerce?

Bizum can transform the usual way of paying, making fewer and fewer people use physical cards or cash. This forces establishments to adapt to offer this option, especially in municipalities where digitalization is advancing strongly.

When is it expected for other banks to incorporate the function?

Banks that are not part of the initial phase will join during the months following the launch. This gradual expansion will make the use of Bizum at physical stores a common practice in the short term.

Payment with Bizum at physical stores represents a notable change in the way consumers and establishments interact with financial technology. The possibility of instantly transferring money with the mobile and without a card is clear evidence that the digitalization of payments is already a tangible reality, not a distant expectation.