Starting in May all Spaniards will be able to pay with Bizum in stores
Imagine going to the store and not having to show your wallet or card. Just your mobile phone. This scenario ceases to be the future and becomes reality in Spain starting May 18, 2026. Bizum, the platform that already dominates transfers between individuals, lands in in-store commerce.
But be careful, it won't be for everyone from day one: only customers of CaixaBank, Banco Sabadell, and Bankinter will be able to start paying this way. The rest of the institutions will gradually join over the coming months.
Paying with the mobile, but without the card
How payment with Bizum in stores works
The system is based on NFC technology, the same that allows contactless card payments. With the mobile in hand, you just need to bring it close to the card reader and the payment is made instantly. There is no physical card nor code to enter.
Additionally, users will be able to use their bank's app or the new Bizum Pay application, which will function as a digital card integrated into the mobile wallet. The use is as simple as sending a Bizum to a phone number.
The end of dependence on major intermediaries
One of the key revolutions is that money is transferred directly from one account to another via the phone number, without going through Visa or Mastercard. This is a blow to the major players dominating the electronic payments industry.
Thus, complexity and commissions associated with traditional cards are reduced, making everything more direct and transparent.
Advantages and challenges for merchants and users
Virtually immediate payments
Merchants are the biggest beneficiaries: they will receive the payment in their accounts almost instantly, improving their cash flow. This agility is not usual with other electronic payment systems.
Nevertheless, the service will not be free for establishments, which will have to bear a commission. It is expected to be lower than that of conventional cards, but it still needs to be determined more precisely.
How can we adapt to the change?
Users will have to update their banking apps or download Bizum Pay to be able to use the new system. It is one more step towards a world where the mobile is our main wallet.
For merchants, this implies installing compatible card readers and training their staff. The transition will be gradual, but the trend is clear.
The future of payments in Spain
A leap towards total digitization
This move confirms that Spain wants to lead the digitization of payments with its own and more efficient solutions. The fact that Bizum imposes itself in physical commerce is a strategic step to displace international players and boost local banking.
Consumers, increasingly accustomed to the convenience of mobile phones, will see the barriers between paying online and paying on the street disappear.
What will be the short-term impact?
The adoption process will not be homogeneous. The first months will see a coexistence between traditional payments and physical Bizum, with a progressive increase in users. Banks will have to be agile to incorporate customers and merchants.
It will also be necessary to see how the market reacts to the commissions and if the system meets expectations regarding agility and security.
| Feature | Traditional card | Bizum in store |
|---|---|---|
| Contactless payment | Yes | Yes, with mobile |
| Funds received by merchant | Days later | Almost immediate |
| Commission for merchant | High | Lower |
| Intermediary dependence | Visa, Mastercard | Only local banks |
The reality is that the way of paying in Spain is changing faster than we imagine. May 18 will not just be another day: it will be the day the mobile starts to be everyone’s wallet.
