# Basic Payment Account in Spain (2026): EUR 3 Cap and Free Account

> The Spanish basic payment account in October 2026: every bank must offer it, the fee is capped at EUR 3 a month, and it is free for a single person with gross income up to EUR 21,600 a year.

Updated: October 2026 · By Jules · URL: https://www.how-to-spain.com/finance/basic-payment-account

Every Spanish bank that offers payment accounts must offer a **cuenta de pago basica** to people legally resident in the EU, including those with no fixed address, asylum seekers and people who cannot be expelled. The fee is capped at **EUR 3 a month**, covering up to **120 euro payments a year** by direct debit or transfer, and a refusal must come in writing within **10 working days**. It is **free** for vulnerable households: in 2026, a single person qualifies with gross yearly income up to **EUR 21,600**, as of October 2026.

## What Does the Law Guarantee?

Basic payment account rules, October 2026.
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who has the right | Every Spanish credit institution that offers payment accounts must offer a basic payment account (cuenta de pago basica) to people legally resident in the EU (including those with no fixed address), asylum seekers and people without a residence permit who cannot be expelled. | [Real Decreto-ley 19/2017](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2017-13644) |
| If the bank refuses | A refusal must be notified in writing, free of charge, with the specific reasons, within 10 working days of the complete application. | [Real Decreto-ley 19/2017](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2017-13644) |
| Maximum fee | One combined fee of at most EUR 3 a month. It covers opening, using and closing the account, cash deposits and withdrawals, debit or prepaid card payments, and up to 120 euro payments a year within the EU by direct debit or transfer. | [Orden ECE/228/2019, art. 4](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2019-3113) |
| When it is free | The account is free for people in a situation of special vulnerability: gross yearly household income at or below 3, 3.5 or 4 times the 12-payment IPREM, depending on the household (table below), plus the other conditions in article 3. | [Real Decreto 164/2019, art. 3](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2019-4906) |
| How long it stays free | Free status lasts two years and is extended for further two-year periods while you still qualify; the bank must tell you at least 15 days before each two-year period ends. | [Real Decreto 164/2019](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2019-4906) |

## Who Gets It Free in 2026?

Real Decreto 164/2019 sets the ceilings as multiples of the **12-payment IPREM**, which is **EUR 7,200 a year** in 2026. Gross yearly income of the whole household counts, and article 3 adds further conditions, so ask the bank for the vulnerability form.

Ceilings computed from the 2026 IPREM (EUR 600 a month, 12 payments), October 2026.
| Household | IPREM multiple | Gross income ceiling a year |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Person not in a family unit | 3x | EUR 21,600 |
| Family unit of fewer than 4 members | 3.5x | EUR 25,200 |
| Family unit of 4 or more members, or a large family (familia numerosa) | 4x | EUR 28,800 |

## Change log

Updated 25 October 2026

- 2026-10-25 Published: the Spanish basic payment account, the EUR 3 cap and the free-account income ceilings for 2026

## What Should You Read Next?

[### Open a Bank Account in Spain Documents and the passport-only route.](/finance/open-a-bank-account)[### Switching Bank Account in Spain The free statutory switch, step by step.](/finance/switch-bank-account)[### Non-Lucrative Visa Funds in Spain Also set as a multiple of the IPREM.](/visa/non-lucrative-visa-funds)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the cuenta de pago basica in Spain?

A basic payment account that every Spanish credit institution offering payment accounts must provide to people legally resident in the EU, asylum seekers and people who cannot be expelled. It costs at most EUR 3 a month (October 2026).

### Who gets the basic payment account free?

People in special vulnerability under Real Decreto 164/2019: for example a single person with gross yearly income up to 3 times the 12-payment IPREM, which is EUR 21,600 in 2026. The free status lasts two years and renews while you still qualify.

### What does the EUR 3 a month cover?

Opening, using and closing the account, cash deposits and withdrawals, debit or prepaid card payments, and up to 120 euro payments a year within the EU by direct debit or transfer (Orden ECE/228/2019, art. 4).

### Can a Spanish bank refuse to open a basic account?

Only on the grounds the law sets, and the refusal must be in writing, free, with the specific reasons, within 10 working days of your complete application (Real Decreto-ley 19/2017).

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Source: https://www.how-to-spain.com/finance/basic-payment-account
Last updated: Updated: October 2026
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