Taking cash in or out of Spain: What are the rules?

Jetting off on holiday to Spain, or heading there for a longer stay? If you plan to take any cash with you, this guide is for you.

Below, we’ll run through the rules and limits for taking cash in and out of Spain. Nearly every country has these rules, so that authorities can check the cash hasn’t come from criminal activity or been stolen.

We’ll also show you a convenient cash-free alternative for spending abroad - the Wise card.

How much cash can you bring to Spain? What are the limits?

You can bring up to €10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) into Spain, without needing to take any specific action.¹ Carry more than that though and you’ll have to complete a customs declaration when you arrive.

What qualifies as cash when moving through borders?

For the purposes of moving it across Spanish borders, the following are classed as cash:²

• Notes and coins of any currency
• Cheques of any kind (including travellers’ cheques)
• Promissory notes and signed money orders
• Coins with a gold content of at least 90%
• Bullion such as bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5%.

Are there penalties if you bring in too much cash to Spain?

If you fail to complete your declaration form, or give false information to customs authorities, you might have your money confiscated. You may also have to pay a fine or in serious cases, face a criminal charge.

How to declare cash at customs when you travel

If you’ve never done it before, the idea of making a declaration at customs in a foreign country can be a little daunting - especially if you don’t speak the language. Read the below though and you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.

Declaring cash before your trip

It is possible to complete an online declaration form, although it’s not clear how soon before your trip you can do it - or if you can do it in advance at all.

But it could save you time at customs if you can submit your completed form electronically.

Declaring cash on arrival to Spain

You can also declare cash on arrival in Spain. At the airport or port, look for the ‘goods to declare’ or ‘red channel’ signs. Tell a customs official you wish to declare cash, and you may be asked to fill in a form. Follow all instructions and have your passport ready - we’ll run through what else you might need next.

Checklist for cash declarations at Spanish customs

It’s a good idea to have the following information and documents ready to provide at customs:

• Your passport, address and other personal details as the person carrying the cash
• Details of who owns the cash and the intended recipient, if it’s not you
• Details of your journey, including flight numbers, ferry routes and any countries you’ve passed through in transit
• The type of cash being carried (currency, and notes or coins)
• The total amount of cash
• Details of what the cash will be used for
• Details and evidence (if you have it) of the source of the money, including the country of origin and how it was generated. For example, through a property sale, earnings from a business, inheritance or another reason.

How much cash can you take out of Spain? Are there limits?

The same rules apply for taking cash out of Spain as for bringing it in. You can take up to €10,000 EUR or the currency equivalent out of the country.¹

Take anything above that sum, and you’ll need to make a customs declaration.

How much cash can I take to the UK from the EU?

You’ll be permitted to take up to €10,000 EUR out of Spain without declaring it, but the UK has its own rules on how much cash you can bring in. This limit is £10,000 GBP or the currency equivalent.³ Anything above this and you’ll need to declare it at customs.

Bearing in mind the currency conversion, you should be fine to bring €10,000 EUR into the UK, as it works out at around £8,500 GBP.

What are the penalties for travelling with too much cash?

If you bring too much cash into Spain or fail to declare it, you’ll be fined a minimum of €600 EUR. The fine could even be much higher, up to 50% of the value of the money, depending on the circumstances.¹

Destinations where a declaration isn't needed

There aren’t any destinations where a declaration isn’t needed when you leave Spain with more than the permitted sum of cash.

Spain uses EU rules on how much money you can carry, but it also has its own border rules in force. This means that even if you’re travelling to another EU country from Spain, you’ll still need to make a cash declaration if you’re carrying €10,000 or more.

Destinations where declaration is needed

If you’re carrying €10,000 or more in cash, you’ll need to declare it at the border wherever you’re travelling to.

Additional tips for travelling with cash

Avoid travelling with cash if you can

Travelling with large amounts of cash is a real security concern, so it’s best avoided unless absolutely necessary. Consider withdrawing cash at an ATM on arrival instead, or having the money sent by bank transfer.

Get a money belt

The safest way to carry cash is on your person, so invest in a good quality money belt to wear under your clothes for the duration of the journey. You can also try a belt bag or small cross-body bag to keep your cash close and secure.

Split your cash

Carrying one big wad of cash isn’t very discreet, and it’s risky too - if it’s misplaced or stolen, that would be all your money gone. So consider splitting your money between a money belt worn on your person, between members of your travelling party, and between pieces of luggage too.

Be aware that exchanging currency in cash can be costly

If you’re carrying money to pay for your trip and need to exchange it once you get to Spain, you might struggle to find a good deal.

Many of the exchange bureaus and offices which are in the most convenient locations - the airport or your hotel, for example - offer poor exchange rates. That means you have to choose between spending your precious holiday time searching for a better deal, or getting ripped off on the exchange.

Wise – An international alternative to carrying cash

Rather avoid the security concerns and inconvenience of carrying cash between countries? Check out the Wise card instead.

The Wise card is a truly international debit card, as it works in 150+ countries and has no foreign transaction fees.

It automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend, for just a small conversion fee*.

Or if you already have the currency in your Wise account, there’s no fee to pay. You can also use Wise to send money worldwide at great exchange rates and for low fees*.

You can also send large sums easily and securely.

So whether you need travel money or to pay for goods, services or bills in other countries, Wise is the ideal solution.

Learn more about the Wise card 💳

FAQs: How much cash can you travel with?

What needs to be declared at Spanish customs?

The following must be declared at Spanish customs:

• €10,000 (or currency equivalent) or more in cash
• Any banned or restricted goods
• Anything over your duty-free allowance.

How much cash can I bring to Spain without declaring?

You can bring up to €9,999.99 EUR (or the currency equivalent) before you need to make a customs declaration. It’s not advisable to cut it that close though, just in case you’ve made a mistake when counting your money. If in doubt, declare it.

Do I need much cash in Spain?

Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in Spain, especially in major cities and tourist hotspots. The country also has a wide ATM network if you find you need cash later on.

If visiting a smaller town or more rural area, it could be a good idea to have a few euros on you in cash, just in case.

How to transfer money from Spain to the UK?

One of the easiest, cheapest and safest ways to transfer money from Spain to the UK is through online services like Wise. You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and mid-market exchange rates.

You can also use a bank transfer, but this often works out slower and more expensive.

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Sources used for this article:

1. Government of Spain Tax Agency - limit for bringing cash into Spain and Spanish payment methods
2. Your Europe - Rules for taking cash in and out of the EU and travelling with cash in the EU
3. GOV.UK - Taking cash in and out of the UK

Sources checked on 11-04-2024.