Spanish Bank SWIFT Code: 8 or 11 Digits?
For those of you new to Spain, have you ever been confused by a bank’s SWIFT code when trying to make an international transfer or receive money from your home country? Sometimes you see an 8-digit code, other times 11 digits. Which one should you use? Today, let’s clear this up once and for all.
What is a SWIFT Code?
First, we need to know what a SWIFT Code is. It stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. Simply put, it’s like an international ID number for banks, used for wire transfers and information exchange between banks in different countries. This code is also often called a BIC (Bank Identifier Code). So, SWIFT Code = BIC Code—don’t think they’re two different things.
What’s the Difference Between 8 and 11 Digits?
This is the key question. A complete SWIFT code consists of 11 characters, but we often see an 8-digit version. Here’s their structure:
- AAAA BB CC DDD
- AAAA: 4-letter bank code
- BB: 2-letter country code
- CC: 2-character location/city code
- DDD: 3-character branch code. This part is optional.
Therefore, an 8-digit SWIFT code refers to the bank’s head office or main clearing center, while an 11-digit code specifies a particular branch. If you only enter the 8-digit code when making a transfer, the funds will typically go to the bank’s head office, which will then route it to the specific branch account based on your recipient’s information and Spanish bank account number. So, making a mistake can be a hassle using the 8-digit code is usually fine, as the system will process it automatically.
SWIFT Code Examples for Common Spanish Banks
To make things easier, I’ve compiled the SWIFT codes for several common banks for your reference. However, the safest method is always to check your own online banking portal or ask a staff member at the branch.
| Bank Name | SWIFT Code |
|---|
| CaixaBank | CAIXESBBXXX |
| Banco Santander | BSCHESMMXXX |
| BBVA | BBVAESMMXXX |
| Banco Sabadell | BSABESBBXXX |
| Bankinter | BKBKESMMXXX |
As you can see, the examples in the list are all in the 11-digit format, with ‘XXX’ at the end indicating that it’s valid for all branches. When filling out the form, you can either use the full 11-digit code or just the first 8 digits (e.g., CAIXESBB for CaixaBank). In my experience, the banking system can recognize both formats.
When you’re unsure of the specific branch code, using the 8-digit SWIFT code is the safest bet, or you can use the 11-digit code provided by the bank ending in ‘XXX’. As long as your IBAN and the recipient’s name are correct, the money will arrive without any issues. Hope this post helps!
