When I first moved to Spain, the first bank card I got was from Sabadell. I had heard from friends that the banking apps here work a bit differently than what I was used to back home, so I was a little worried I wouldn’t figure it out. After using it for a few months, I’ve found the Sabadell mobile banking app to be quite user-friendly. Today, I’m sharing my experience to help other newcomers.
Basic App Operations and Interface
You can find the app by searching for ‘Banco Sabadell’ in the Apple App Store or Google Play. After downloading and installing it, you’ll need your NIE number and a password sent to the phone number you registered with the bank to activate it for the first time. Once you’re in, you can set up fingerprint or Face ID for much easier access later. The main interface is very intuitive, showing your account balance right at the top. Below that, you’ll see a clear list of your recent transactions, whether it’s a card payment or money transferred to you.
Mobile Transfers
This is the feature I use most with Sabadell Bank. It’s perfect for sending rent money to my landlord or splitting bills with friends. The steps are very simple:
- Find and tap on ‘Transferencias’ (Transfers) in the main menu.
- Select ‘Hacer una transferencia’ (Make a transfer).
- Enter the recipient’s IBAN, name, and the amount. A helpful tip: if you frequently transfer money to the same person, you can add them as a saved payee to avoid re-entering their IBAN every time.
- Finally, enter a description for the transfer, such as ‘Alquiler Mayo’ (May Rent), confirm the details, and enter the verification code sent to your phone. Transfers within Sabadell are usually instant, while transfers to other banks might take one to two business days.
Bizum, Spain’s ‘Alipay’
Bizum is an absolute lifesaver for small payments! It’s linked directly to your phone number, so as long as the other person also has Bizum, you can send money instantly just by entering their phone number and the amount—and it’s completely free! It’s super convenient for everything from splitting dinner bills with friends to paying at small shops or hairdressers. The first time you use it, you’ll need to activate it within the Sabadell app. Just find the Bizum option in the main menu and follow the prompts to link your phone number. However, be aware that Bizum has daily and monthly transfer limits, so for larger amounts, you’ll still need to use a standard ‘Transferencia’.
Here’s a quick summary of the features I use most and where to find them:
| Feature | Path |
|---|
| Check statements/transactions | Displayed directly on the main screen |
| Card management | Main Menu -> Tarjetas |
| Mobile transfers | Main Menu -> Transferencias |
| Bizum payments | Main Menu -> Bizum |
Overall, Sabadell’s mobile banking app is quite comprehensive and covers most everyday needs. Although the interface is in Spanish, the terminology is fairly basic, and you’ll get the hang of it after a few uses with the help of a translation tool. If you have any other questions about Sabadell Bank or its app, feel free to leave a comment below and discuss!
