Bizum is no longer just for paying for dinner with friends . The platform has made a huge leap in recent months and is now used in both physical stores and government offices. This expansion has turned it into a real alternative to credit cards and a convenient way to pay taxes, although its rollout still depends on the bank and the merchant.
The two most notable developments demonstrate that the system, which originated in the Spanish banking sector, has carved out a niche beyond peer-to-peer express payments. These are, firstly, the arrival of Bizum Pay at physical points of sale , and secondly, the push by regional governments to integrate this method for collecting taxes. Both are accompanied by steady growth in the number of transactions.
Bizum Pay: pay with your mobile without taking out your card
The new service has launched with CaixaBank, Banco Sabadell, and Bankinter as the first institutions, but it is already being rolled out to the rest of the sector. In stores that update their point-of-sale terminals, customers simply need to hold their phone near the NFC-enabled terminal to complete the purchase. The transaction is charged to the linked bank account, without the need for a physical card.
This system doesn't rely on the recipient's phone number, unlike traditional bank transfers. Instead, it uses the contactless technology already employed by cards , moving money directly between accounts. For businesses, the funds are received immediately, which is especially convenient for high-volume establishments.
Adicae views this new development with caution. They acknowledge that implementation is gradual and not all banks have enabled it , so it is still in its initial phase. Furthermore, changing consumer payment habits is not easy, especially when card use is so deeply ingrained.
Taxes with Bizum: the data from the Balearic Islands shows the way
The Balearic Islands Tax Agency has become a prime example of successful public adoption. Since August 2023, it has allowed the payment of regional and local taxes electronically, and as of August 7, 2026, it had processed 188.240 payments totaling over €22,2 million. This figure demonstrates that citizens respond well when the government offers these types of payment options.
Growth is continuous: 18.298 transactions were recorded in the first year, rising to 47.211 in 2024 and reaching 71.345 in 2025. So far in 2026, 51.386 payments have already been made , totaling 5,4 million euros. The Balearic Islands' Minister of Economy, Antoni Costa, celebrated these figures and reiterated that digital transformation should serve to 'make life easier for citizens'.
This system is integrated into the agency's mobile app and website. Debts of up to €1.500 can be paid by selecting Bizum as the payment method and authorizing the transaction through the bank's payment gateway. Once the payment is complete, a receipt is available for download, providing legal certainty for taxpayers.
The future of the platform: how far will it go?
The commitment to expansion is clear. Bizum is no longer just a simple instant transfer between individuals; it 's making its way into e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores . The question is how long it will take to become as commonplace as card payments. The answer will depend on the speed of the banks and the acceptance by businesses.
There's still a way to go in terms of security and user familiarity. Scams involving Bizum are a risk that financial institutions are already trying to mitigate , and public administrations are promoting its use in tax procedures. If they manage to overcome mistrust, this system could redefine how Spaniards handle their payments.
In just a few years, Bizum has gone from being a novelty at dinner parties to a real alternative to credit cards and a payment channel for taxes . Its expansion into businesses and government offices confirms that Spanish banks have succeeded in creating a widely accepted mobile payment network. Challenges remain, such as full implementation across all institutions and bridging the digital divide, but the path has been paved.
