Starting January 1, 2026, new regulations in Spain will fundamentally change how electronic payments are monitored. From now on, all transactions made through Bizum, as well as any bank card operations, will be recorded and reported monthly to the tax authorities. The amount of each transfer doesn’t matter—even the smallest sums will come under close scrutiny.
Previously, banks and payment systems were only required to inform the tax office about customers whose annual transactions exceeded €3,000. With the adoption of the new royal decree, this threshold will be eliminated. Now, reporting will be exhaustive: every transfer, every card payment—everything will be included in the reports banks send to the Agencia Tributaria (tax agency).
What will change for Bizum and card users
For millions of Spaniards who are used to the convenience of instant Bizum transfers or card payments, these changes will be immediately noticeable. Any payment—whether it’s for a cup of coffee or an online purchase—will come under the tax office’s radar. This will especially affect those who are self-employed or earn income from private services, as even the smallest payments will now be almost impossible to conceal.
In addition, banks and card issuers will be required to provide the tax authorities with data once a year on clients whose card transactions exceed €25,000. This applies not only to traditional credit cards, but also to virtual cards and prepaid cards. The new regulation will also affect those who actively use modern payment services.
Agreement between Bizum and the Bank of Spain
Alongside stricter payment control measures, a new agreement was signed between the Bank of Spain (Banco de España) and the Bizum service. Under this arrangement, the central bank will gain access to aggregated payment data broken down by sector and country. This information will be used to analyze economic processes and provide a clearer picture of the state of the country’s digital economy.
The data to be transferred will be anonymized, but will allow trends to be tracked and anomalies in payment flows to be identified. Additionally, the information will be submitted to a dedicated data lab, where researchers and analysts focused on developing financial technologies can study it.
Potential consequences for businesses and individuals
Experts warn: increased oversight of electronic payments could lead to more frequent tax audits. Hacienda will now have many more tools to identify discrepancies between declared income and the actual funds received in accounts. This is especially relevant for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and those who get paid directly by clients for their services.
In light of this, tax consultants recommend clearly separating personal and professional accounts to avoid confusion and unnecessary questions from the tax authorities. Any negligence in this area can result in additional audits or even fines.
Privacy concerns and new challenges
The issue of data protection has not gone unnoticed. Critics point out that tracking every single transaction, even the smallest ones, may infringe on the right to privacy and the principle of proportionality. However, authorities insist that tackling tax evasion requires tough measures, and transparent payment flows are the key to a fair economy.
For many citizens and companies, a new era is beginning in which every digital payment becomes part of a larger reporting system. The habit of anonymity and informal settlements is becoming a thing of the past. Now adapting to these new rules is a task not only for businesses, but also for ordinary users, who must be prepared for their financial activity to be under constant scrutiny.
