Having recently moved to Spain, I needed a decent amount of cash to pay my rent and some deposits. But when I went to the ATM, I was met with a ‘limit exceeded’ message after withdrawing a certain amount. It was a bit awkward, and I had to get the rest the next day. That’s when I realized that, yes, bank cards in Spain have withdrawal limits.
I’m sure many of you have faced similar issues. I did some research and asked a friend who works at a bank, so today I’m sharing a summary to help you avoid being caught unprepared when you urgently need cash.
ATM Withdrawal Limits in Spain
Generally, the default daily ATM withdrawal limit set by Spanish banks isn’t very high, typically around €600. This is mainly a security measure to minimize potential losses if your card is lost or stolen. Of course, this limit isn’t set in stone; most banks allow you to adjust it.
There are two main ways to change your limit:
- Mobile Banking App or Online Banking: This is the quickest and easiest method. Log in to your bank account, and you’ll usually find the option to adjust withdrawal limits under ‘Card Settings’ or a similar section like ‘Mis tarjetas’. You can temporarily or permanently increase or decrease the limit as needed.
- Visit a Bank Branch: If your Spanish is decent, or if you can’t find the setting in the app, you can go directly to a counter with your residency card and bank card. Just tell the staff you want to ‘aumentar el límite de la tarjeta para sacar dinero’ (increase the card’s cash withdrawal limit), and they will assist you.
Common Default Limits at Major Banks
Here’s a simple table with the approximate default ATM withdrawal limits for some major banks. Note that this is just a reference; your specific limit may vary depending on your account type, how long you’ve been a customer, etc. The most accurate information will always be in your banking app or contract.
| Bank | Typical Daily ATM Withdrawal Limit |
|---|
| Banco Santander | €600 |
| BBVA | €600 - €1,000 |
| CaixaBank | €600 |
| Sabadell | €600 |
| ING | €600 |
About Over-the-Counter Withdrawals
If you need to withdraw a larger amount of cash, such as several thousand or even tens of thousands of euros, going directly to the bank counter is your best option. While there are generally no upper Spanish bank limits for withdrawing your own money over the counter—it is your money, after all—in practice, due to anti-money laundering and security regulations, banks may have additional requirements for large cash withdrawals, similar to the rules for bank transfers in Spain. The most common requirement is that you need to make an appointment in advance. It’s best to call your account manager or visit the branch a day or two beforehand to schedule the withdrawal, letting them know the amount and time. This allows the bank to prepare the cash and complete any necessary internal checks. Just showing up at the counter and asking for ten thousand euros will likely result in your request being denied, much like there are rules for deposit limits in Spain! Hope this information is helpful!
