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Planning to withdraw cash in Spain? You could now face a €150,000 fine

By Farah Mokrani • Updated: 30 Apr 2025 • 17:05 • 2 minutes read

Customer withdrawing large sums of euro banknotes at a bank counter in Spain

Withdrawing large amounts of cash in Spain now comes with strict reporting rules to avoid heavy fines. Credit : hedgehog94, Shutterstock

Thinking of pulling out a large amount of cash from your bank account in Spain? A new rule is now in force — and ignoring it could cost you dearly.

New rules in Spain: cash withdrawals over €3,000 under strict control

From now on, anyone withdrawing €3,000 or more from a Spanish bank must notify the Agencia Tributaria (Spain’s tax agency) in advance. If you’re planning to take out €100,000 or more, you’ll need to give at least 72 hours’ notice. For smaller sums over €3,000, a 24-hour notification is mandatory.

The warning must be filed through the tax agency’s official website using a digital certificate, Cl@ve PIN, or electronic ID card. You’ll receive a receipt that must be shown at the bank when withdrawing your cash.

Fail to notify? You risk a fine between 1 per cent and 10 per cent of the amount withdrawn — starting at €600 and climbing up to a massive €150,000, depending on the seriousness of the violation.

Banks are now required to block withdrawals if they detect missing paperwork, and must report suspicious transactions to the authorities, even if amounts are repeatedly just under the threshold.

Spain steps up fight against tax fraud and money laundering

This tough new measure is part of a wider strategy to crack down on tax fraud, money laundering and terrorism financing.
Authorities say that cash remains a key tool for illegal activities, making tighter monitoring essential.

Interestingly, it’s not just massive withdrawals that will raise red flags.
Even frequent small withdrawals — say, €800 or €900 at a time — could draw unwanted attention if not properly justified.
The message from the Spanish government is clear: every move involving large sums of cash must now be fully traceable.

Banks themselves will also play a stronger role, reporting detailed information about all significant cash movements to Hacienda on a regular basis.

How to notify Spanish tax authorities before withdrawing cash

To stay on the right side of the law, you’ll need to submit a formal notification through the Agencia Tributaria’s online platform.
Make sure you include:

  • The amount you plan to withdraw
  • The purpose of the withdrawal
  • Your identity (and the identity of the final recipient, if different)

Once done, keep your confirmation ready — your bank will ask for it before handing over the money.

So, if you’re planning a large withdrawal, don’t wait until you’re standing at the counter.
File your notice first — or you could be looking at a fine big enough to ruin your day.

Stay tuned with Euro weekly news for more news from Spain

Written by

Farah Mokrani

Farah is a journalist and content writer with over a decade of experience in both digital and print media. Originally from Tunisia and now based in Spain, she has covered current affairs, investigative reports, and long-form features for a range of international publications. At Euro Weekly News, Farah brings a global perspective to her reporting, contributing news and analysis informed by her editorial background and passion for clear, accurate storytelling.

Comments

    • JAMES ROBERTS

      29 April 2025 • 08:57

      This isnt about transparency its about theft by the bank itself. If its our money after tax then what right does the government have to stick its nose in??!!!

      • Neville dumplington

        02 May 2025 • 00:45

        What with this and the newish don’t brake radar traps on the Spanish roads we finally have the proof that the Spanish government is the most stupid and greedy in all Europe

    • Brian Milner

      29 April 2025 • 10:03

      They are obviously trying to kill cash and force CBDC on everyone. That would have worked well during the power outage, wouldn’t it.

      • Saksham Bahati

        30 April 2025 • 23:01

        Since the intention is clear and on logically correct grounds it is welcome as it is the law of the land.

        Just a point of improvement, just make this process so streamline that it is as convenient and as fast as using bizum.

      • mountain Eagle

        03 May 2025 • 13:32

        Absolutely it’s time Spanish people do the same as Germany withdraw our money from the corrupt banking systems and use cash only.

        • Julie

          10 May 2025 • 17:01

          Agreed. Things are not moving in the right direction, but when people realise it, it’ll be too late.

    • Philip

      29 April 2025 • 10:09

      With no electricity yesterday I had difficulty withdrawing 100,000 Euros from an ATM to pay my dealer. Cash is king.

    • Michael Rodrigues

      29 April 2025 • 10:43

      Police state, police state, police state. So what about our crooked politicians, local Mayors? the best thing to do is keep as little money in the bank as possible, Actually this is very sensible advise. pay by cash, do not allow these crooks to track you. This is Big Brother in action and remember it is YOUR OWN MONEY so what are these crooked politicians up to?

      • mountain Eagle

        03 May 2025 • 13:33

        And corrupt Madrid drug dealing Police with 20 million euros hidden in their walls from years of drug dealing. Start at the top not the little people who just want to live.

    • Brian

      29 April 2025 • 12:26

      Typical pseudo-communist government taking control over it’s population! I’m known in my branch of the bank we use and I’m sure they would ask questions if I tried to remove a big wad of cash but I have absolutely no idea how to do that digitally being almost 80 years old!

    • Jack

      29 April 2025 • 12:46

      More extortion from the hacienda! It’s my money, I will do whatever I want with it! 🤔🤬

    • Philip

      29 April 2025 • 13:41

      I fail to understand why people bother to leave comments on EWN. I presume that as most of mine either never see the light of day or take hours before they appear the situation is probably the same for everyone. I anticipate this comment will be censored.

      • Philip

        29 April 2025 • 15:27

        For once my comment has appeared, three hours later. I appreciate your staff have more to do than monitor comments but 3 hours delay on a daily publication appears excessive.

      • Janice Mills

        29 April 2025 • 17:09

        Philip, I have seen many comments removed over the past months. I always read the comment section because it proves people are paying attention but I see comments, some I agree with some I don´t agree with and next time I look they have disappeared. Not sure if it is the owner or the writer of the article but censorship is rife on the EWN.

    • Keith

      29 April 2025 • 23:36

      Well we been here before the spsnish goverment never learns so all that will happen is spanish will pull there money out of banks and keep it in safes at home. This will cause a run on the banks and banks will close again. The spanish do not trust there govt or the banks. Here we go again another round of banks closing

      • Mike Read

        30 April 2025 • 12:42

        Keith, the Spanish banks are terrible, worked around the world, banked in very country I worked in and never had the problems and crazy fees the Spanish banks come up with. To be honest every time I get money out of the ATM I say a wee prayer because I genuinely expect a problem. Best start keeping loads of cash at home

    • Mag

      30 April 2025 • 18:59

      Meanwhile billionaires move millions around the world with no or little oversight by governments or banks. Tax the f@ck out of the mega rich and give us back our public services and cash freedoms.

      • Bob

        03 May 2025 • 09:26

        You can still move as much as you like electronically.

    • Betty

      01 May 2025 • 00:56

      So from which date exactly does this new “rule’ begin? From the 30th April or sometime in the future?

    • Gigi

      01 May 2025 • 08:24

      It is ridiculous. As if the crooks would say”oh, now live is difficult and I give up”! They have their ways to move money and they are certainly not the target with these measures. But making it more difficult for the citizens and having to explain what to do with their own hard earned money is a clear sign of control. Cash is king. Means all citizens would get punished for maybe a few crooks with these rules? Oh give me a break… l agree with Mike and other posters before.

    • Paul M

      01 May 2025 • 09:28

      Socialust Government. The Spanish in general hate their Rulers and Banks . Another nail in the Coffin for tgeir economy

      • Carol

        02 May 2025 • 17:41

        An der Enteignung von Eigentum wird auch schon in “Brüssel EU” gearbeitet…..

    • No name

      02 May 2025 • 10:48

      No problem we left the country in 2011.I will never come back. There are other places.

      • Bob

        03 May 2025 • 09:27

        Have you tried taking £3000 out of the bank in the UK recently??

    • SamJee

      02 May 2025 • 12:12

      Another move that force my to keep open my foreign bank accounts

    • Norman

      03 May 2025 • 01:14

      Imagine i g to ask mummy for permi6to spend your own cash, which you already paid tax on. Digital transfers to buy a car etc are usually well over £3000. If my bank in the UK started that crap from the state orders. I would withdraw all I have.

    • Fanny

      03 May 2025 • 06:52

      Forget the banks! Use pirate chain! #arrr

    • John

      03 May 2025 • 07:24

      This is all about control, typical socialist, EU mean rules and rules, more to come, is gonna be terrible, people will fade up and protest, EU is on the bring, RIO is on the corner, unrest everywhere. EU means no peace, shame, globalisation is a disaster

    • Rocco van der Veer

      03 May 2025 • 13:03

      Does that include taking a cash advance out from a UK back? Is this only for Spanish banks?

    • Mandy Adams

      03 May 2025 • 17:51

      One of the main reasons for tax evasion is that freelancers pay fortunes to be able to work. They carry the load of an unfair tax system that punishes you is you’re an honest worker and are honest about what you earn.

    • Jack

      05 May 2025 • 15:43

      Don’t give your vote to socialists anynmore or you will finish with digital id/cbdc soon. I wonder if democracy is still available…

    • Anon User 3

      09 May 2025 • 12:39

      Well, bitcoin fixes this issue.

    Comments are closed.

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