I recently moved to Spain and went out to run some errands yesterday, planning to deposit some cash I had on me. But when I got to the bank and checked my pockets, I panicked… I had forgotten my bank card! The bank was about to close, so there was no time to queue inside. In a rush, I remembered seeing someone feed cash directly into an ATM before, so I decided to give it a try, and it actually worked!
This feature is a lifesaver for someone as forgetful as me, and many newcomers to Spain might not know about it. So today I’m sharing how to make a “cardless deposit” in Spain. I’ve personally tested it, and I hope this can help others in need.
What is a Cardless Deposit?
Simply put, it’s a way to deposit cash into a specific bank account directly at an ATM without inserting a physical card. This is especially convenient when you’ve forgotten your card, similar to making a cardless withdrawal, or when you need to deposit money for someone else. Of course, the main requirement is that you know the recipient’s full IBAN account number. Most major banks like BBVA, CaixaBank, and Santander offer this function at their ATMs.
How-To Guide for Major Banks
Although the ATM interfaces vary slightly between banks, the core steps are very similar. I’ve outlined the process for the two banks I’ve used, which you can use as a reference. Other banks should have a similar procedure.
| Bank | Key Steps |
|---|
| BBVA | On the home screen, select “Acceder sin tarjeta / libreta” -> “Hacer una operación” -> “Ingresar dinero” -> Enter the IBAN -> Insert cash -> Confirm the amount and print the receipt. |
| CaixaBank | On the home screen, select “Ingresar” -> Choose “Introducir el número de cuenta” -> Manually enter the IBAN -> Verify the account holder’s name -> Insert cash -> Confirm the deposit. |
A Few Final Reminders: Cardless deposits are usually credited instantly, but it’s a good idea to have the recipient confirm once it’s done. ATMs only accept banknotes, not coins, and you should not insert more than 50 notes at a time (a different process from cardless withdrawal). Also, the machine is picky about the condition of the banknotes; old, torn, or badly folded notes may be rejected during the cardless deposit. So, remember to flatten your banknotes before depositing. All in all, it’s a very practical feature that can be a real lifesaver in a pinch!
