Having just arrived in Spain, I recently ran into a situation: I wanted to deposit some cash into a friend’s account, only to find out he banks with a different institution. I was a bit stumped. Back home, I was used to easy mobile transfers, so depositing cash, especially to a different bank, made me feel a bit behind the times. After some trial and error, I finally figured it out. Today, I’m sharing how to deposit money into someone else’s bank account in Spain, hoping to help others who might be in the same boat.
Method 1: The Versatile ATM
Most bank ATMs in Spain now support ‘cardless deposit’ (Ingreso sin tarjeta), which is the most convenient and fastest way. You don’t necessarily have to go to an ATM of the recipient’s bank. For example, if you want to deposit money into a CaixaBank account but there’s only a BBVA ATM nearby, don’t worry, you can still do it.
The steps are generally as follows:
- On the ATM screen, select ‘Operaciones sin tarjeta / Acceso sin tarjeta’ (Cardless Operations / Cardless Access).
- Choose ‘Ingresar dinero’ (Deposit Money).
- Enter the recipient’s IBAN. Double-check this carefully, as a mistake here can cause problems!
- Enter the deposit amount and the depositor’s basic information.
- Insert the cash into the deposit slot; the machine will count it automatically. Confirm the amount is correct, complete the transaction, and print the receipt.
Method 2: The Traditional Bank Counter
If you’re not comfortable using an ATM or if you’re depositing a large sum, going to a bank counter is a safe bet. You can go to any bank any branch of the recipient’s bank and tell the clerk you want to ‘hacer un ingreso en cuenta’ (make a deposit into an account).
You will need to provide the following information (note: there are rules about depositing in installments):
- The recipient’s full IBAN
- The recipient’s full name
- The deposit amount
Once the clerk processes the transaction, they will give you a receipt. Make sure to keep it, as it’s your only proof of deposit. However, be aware that bank counters often have long queues and fixed opening hours, making them less flexible than ATMs.
Fee and Processing Time Comparison
What everyone cares about most are the fees and processing times. Based on my experience and what I’ve gathered, I’ve put together a simple table (for more details, you can also check out Spanish deposit interest rates), but please note that fees can change, so it’s always best to confirm before you proceed.
| Deposit Method | Major Banks | Reference Fee | Processing Time |
|---|
| Inter-Bank ATM Deposit | BBVA, CaixaBank, Santander | Usually has a fee, €2-€5 | 1-2 business days |
| Counter Deposit (Recipient’s Bank) | All banks | Generally no fee | Real-time |
| Counter Deposit (Other Banks) | Most banks don’t support this directly | Complex process, not recommended | - |
If you’re depositing into a friend’s account, the best option is to use a cardless deposit at an ATM of their bank, which is usually free and instant. If you can’t find one, using any bank’s ATM for an inter-bank deposit is a convenient alternative, despite the small fee. This is especially true for general deposits in Spain. I hope this guide is helpful! Do you have any other good methods? Feel free to share and discuss in the comments below!
