Switching Bank Account in Spain (2026): Free, Step by Step
Jules
Editor
Updated: October 2026 | Found helpful by 4 others
Switching your account between banks in Spain is free: the new bank starts it at your request and moves your standing orders, recurring direct debits and incoming transfers, plus the balance if you ask. The law caps the steps at 2 working days for the new bank's request and 5 for the old bank's reply, and the execution date must be at least 6 working days later: about 13 working days end to end, as of October 2026. Every account holder must sign.
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How Does the Switch Work, Step by Step?
1. Ask the new bank to switch
Every holder of the old account signs the switching request at the new bank; the service is free for you.
2. The new bank asks the old bank (up to 2 working days)
Within 2 working days of your authorisation, the new bank requests the list of standing orders, recurring direct debits and recurring incoming transfers.
3. The old bank sends the information (up to 5 working days)
The old bank has at most 5 working days to send it, and moves the remaining balance if you asked for that.
4. The switch executes (at least 6 working days later)
The execution date you choose must be at least 6 working days after the new bank receives the information.
The total of about 13 working days assumes each step takes its full legal maximum and the execution date is the earliest allowed; banks can be faster.
What Does the Law Say?
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | The switching service between payment providers operating in Spain is started by the new bank at your express request and is free for you. | Orden ECE/228/2019 |
| Joint accounts | Every holder of the account must request the switch. | Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, art. 13 |
| What moves | Standing orders, recurring direct debits and recurring incoming transfers, plus, if you ask, the remaining balance. | Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, art. 13 |
| Timing | The new bank asks the old bank for the information within 2 working days of your authorisation; the old bank sends it within 5 working days; the execution date you choose must be at least 6 working days after the new bank receives it. | Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, art. 13 |
| If it goes wrong | A bank that fails its switching obligations must refund any financial loss it caused, including charges and interest. | Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, art. 14 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is switching bank account free in Spain?
Yes. The statutory switching service between payment providers in Spain is free for the customer and is started by the new bank at your request (Orden ECE/228/2019, October 2026).
How long does a bank switch take in Spain?
The law sets maximum steps of 2 working days for the new bank's request and 5 for the old bank's reply, and the execution date must be at least 6 working days after the new bank has the information: about 13 working days if each step runs to its limit.
Do my direct debits move automatically?
The switch moves standing orders, recurring direct debits and recurring incoming transfers, plus the balance if you ask (Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, art. 13).
What if the switch goes wrong?
A bank that fails its switching obligations must refund the financial loss it caused, including charges and interest (Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, art. 14).
Sources
- BOE: Orden ECE/228/2019 (basic account fee cap, switching procedure) (accessed 2026-10-25)
- BOE: Real Decreto-ley 19/2017 (basic payment accounts, account switching) (accessed 2026-10-25)
Change log
Updated
- Published: the free statutory bank switch in Spain and its 2, 5 and 6 working-day steps