Bringing Cash into Spain: How Much You Can Carry and When to Declare

How much cash can you bring into Spain without declaring it?

Less than €10,000 per movement does not need to be declared. There is no limit on the amount you can bring in: the law sets an obligation to report cash in advance, not a ban. Article 34 of Ley 10/2010 on the prevention of money laundering requires individuals to file a declaration if they enter or leave Spain with cash of €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in another currency [1]. AEAT says the same: a threshold of €10,000 at the border and €100,000 for movements within the country [3].

The threshold applies to each person separately. The European Commission stresses that when travelling as a group, the €10,000 is counted per traveller [4]. If a minor travels with you, the law attributes the money the minor carries to the accompanying adult, and if the minor travels without an adult, the parents or guardians are responsible (article 34.5) [1].

What counts as cash for declaration purposes?

The law defines “medios de pago” more broadly than banknotes. Article 34.3 of Ley 10/2010 includes [1]:

• banknotes and coins, Spanish and foreign;
• bearer instruments: traveller’s cheques and ordinary cheques, promissory notes and payment orders made out to the bearer;
• anonymous prepaid cards not linked to a bank account;
• highly liquid commodities, such as gold.

Under Reglamento (UE) 2018/1672, the European Commission specifies gold coins with a gold content of at least 90% and unworked gold with a purity of at least 99.5% [4]. A bank transfer and a card linked to your account are not on the list.

How does entering from an EU country differ from entering from outside the EU?

In Spain the threshold is the same, but the form and the legal basis differ. Reglamento (UE) 2018/1672 covers crossing the EU’s external border, while national rules apply to movements between EU countries [4]. Spain also applies the threshold to entry from other EU countries [1][2].

For unaccompanied movements, the declaration is filed within 30 days before the movement: the sender is responsible, and for imports from a country outside the EU, the recipient [1][2]. Older material refers to Orden EHA/1439/2006: it was repealed by Orden ETD/1217/2022, so use the new order for the forms and the procedure [2].

How and when to file the declaration?

1. Add up the amount per person for one movement, including cheques, cards and other “medios de pago”.
2. Fill in the form: E-1 when entering from a country outside the EU, S-1 from an EU country. The forms are available at Aduanas offices and on the AEAT, Sepblac and Tesoro Público websites [2].
3. File it before crossing the border. When entering from a country outside the EU, you hand form E-1 to customs officers (Aduanas) without being asked, before any check. When entering from an EU country at a point with customs, the procedure is the same; if there is no customs, form S-1 is filed online or in person before the movement [2].
4. When you file online through the AEAT sede, you get a secure verification code (CSV). It confirms the filing, but the declaration itself must be with the person carrying the money [2].

The information must be complete and truthful: incorrect or incomplete information is treated as not filing (article 34.4 Ley 10/2010). A difference from the actual amount of more than 10% or €3,000 is treated by the law as an inaccurate declaration [1].

What happens if you don’t declare it?

Failing to declare is a serious administrative offence (infracción grave, article 52.3 Ley 10/2010). The penalty includes a fine from €600 up to 50% of the value of the funds plus a public or private reprimand (article 57.3) [1]. Customs or police officers temporarily seize the whole amount for 30 days, which can be extended to 90, if the declaration was not filed, was filed late or contains incorrect information. They may leave you up to €1,000 per person and movement as a “subsistence minimum” [1][2].

Filing a declaration does not in itself prove that the money was moved if customs did not check it at the border (article 5.2 Orden ETD/1217/2022) [2]. Have documents ready on the source of the funds: the bank where you later deposit the money is required to check where the funds come from (article 6 Ley 10/2010) [1]. How the bank deals with cash and accounts: opening an account with a Spanish bank.

What depends on your case

Which rule applies when you transit through another EU state is determined by that country’s law, not Spain’s. We do not assess the practice of specific customs points in Barcelona. A bank transfer is not on the article 34.3 list and does not require a cash declaration, but the bank checks the source of funds for any large payment. On accounts: an account in Spain without an NIE. If you are bringing savings as proof of funds for a residence permit, first read whether you need a Spanish account for a residence permit and look at the no lucrativa route card; the general relocation procedure is described in the section residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions

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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 02.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.