The Spanish Ministry of Finance is tightening fiscal control over digital payment methods. From January 1, 2026, the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) will gain full access to all Bizum transactions made by self-employed individuals and companies. This far-reaching measure, stipulated in Royal Decree 253/2025, recently published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), eliminates the previous reporting threshold of 10,000 euros for financial institutions.
Why the Ministry of Finance is Targeting Bizum
The Ministry of Finance’s decision is part of a broader strategy to combat tax fraud and ensure the complete registration and declaration of all economic transactions. Particular focus is being placed on sectors such as commerce, hospitality, and personal services, where Bizum is increasingly used as a payment method.
Detailed Reporting Obligations for Financial Institutions
The Royal Decree obliges financial institutions to submit monthly detailed reports on Bizum operations. These reports must include the following information:
- Recipient’s identity
- Merchant number
- Payment terminals used
- Total transaction amounts
- Affected bank accounts
This comprehensive data collection aims to provide the Tax Agency with a precise picture of the financial activities of self-employed individuals and companies.
Implications for the Self-Employed: Caution Advised
For many self-employed individuals in Spain who frequently use Bizum for their business income, this new regulation could become problematic. Especially those who use their private bank accounts for business purposes risk the tax authorities misinterpreting their economic movements. This could significantly increase the risk of tax inspections and potential sanctions. It is strongly recommended to strictly separate private and business finances to avoid ambiguities.
Bizum in Spain: A Success Story with New Rules
Bizum, launched in Spain at the end of 2016, has rapidly become the most popular payment solution. The simple and instant transfer of money has revolutionized the way Spaniards conduct financial transactions.
By the end of 2024, over 28.2 million people were using Bizum across 38 bank brands, with an average of 3 million daily transactions – an impressive 35 Bizums per second. E-commerce was a significant growth driver: the platform doubled its transaction volume and value in this sector for the fifth consecutive year, recording 58 million purchases with a total value of 3.107 billion euros.
This year, Bizum has expanded its reach beyond Spain, now allowing users in Portugal, Italy, and Andorra to send and receive money without needing to download new apps or open additional accounts. This international expansion underscores Bizum’s growing importance in European payment traffic.
