Mobile payment solutions in Spain – Bizum

Alternative solutions to MobilePay in Spain – Bizum!

After 7 years as a Dane living abroad, I have heard many times – Don’t you have “MobilePay”? But it’s not a solution that is used here in Spain. Of course – if you have a Danish phone number and a Danish account – you can always transfer via MobilePay, whether you are in Spain or Denmark. But it can’t be used for payments in Spanish stores physically or online. Or for payments from a Danish mobile number to a Spanish mobile number vice versa.

So what do you do now that we’re so used to mobile transfers?

Most Spanish banks have a common solution called “Bizum“. It’s the same principle of being able to transfer to each other in less than 5 seconds, make payments online for online purchases and payments in shops. All you need is a Spanish bank and a Spanish mobile number. Exactly the same guidelines as with MobilePay, which requires a Danish bank and a Danish mobile number. And the latter is personally a challenge for me, as I no longer have a Danish phone number. So I “freeload” MobilePay on my husband’s phone….smile.

Back to Bizum: How to activate Bizum on your mobile:

1. Go to the Bizum.es website and click on “Activalo”http://bizum.es
2. This will take you to the overview of the banks that use Bizum. When you click on the logo of your bank, you will be redirected to your bank’s website and then you need to download the app and follow the instructions
3. Go to your bank’s app and find Bizum and register as a user

You can find the list of Spanish banks that use Bizum here: https://bizum.es/#como-registrarse

If the installation is tricky for you – contact your bank to get it sorted.

The stores that are currently signing up for the payment solution can be found here – the list is updated regularly

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If you are two owners of the same account, it is possible to link two different phone numbers to the account.

You can send from €0.50 to a maximum of €500 per day and receive a maximum of 20 trades in a day or 30 in a month.

Detail – the solution is exclusively for private individuals.

More detail – if you have multiple accounts/banks in Spain, your mobile number can only be linked to one account.

What else can you use Bizum for?

You can share expenses by sending or receiving money between your family/friends. Simply enter your mobile number or select them from your contact list on your phone. The money is instantly transferred from account to account. It’s fast, easy and secure. It is also possible to instantly donate money to organisations that you wish to support.

With Bizum you can also make your online purchases easier and more convenient. Just enter your mobile phone, validate the operation and the money will be transferred safely from your bank account.

The purchase option is also often used when visiting tradesmen and you can pay with your mobile phone quickly and securely when the job is done.

That’s the description of the Spanish version of “MobilePay”. In my experience, you can pay with ApplePay or a similar payment app in all stores that accept cards.

So is there still a need for cash euros in Spain – YES!!!… Despite the technology being down south, many people still like cash. So just withdraw enough to keep in your pocket for emergencies or tips etc.

If you have any other questions or thoughts about internships for life here on the Sunshine Coast, we here at Dahls Estate & Management are always ready for a chat or a cup of coffee. Of course, we are also ready to take you on viewings and advise you on buying your dream home here on the Costa del Sol. Please call us on +34 633 406 353 or +45 26 46 17 60. See you on the Sunshine Coast.

Hasta luego
Lene