Author Dmitry Sheynkman Tax adviser 18 September 2026 6 min read Message the author

Declaring cash when entering Spain: thresholds, forms and penalties

Cash in Spain is declared against three thresholds: €10,000 when entering from a country outside the European Union or leaving for one, €100,000 when carrying cash inside the country, and €10,000 again when the money travels without you — by parcel, freight or separate luggage. The threshold applies per person and per movement, but a child’s cash is attributed to the accompanying adult, so splitting the sum between children does not work. The penalty for not declaring runs from €600 to half the amount carried, and the money itself can be seized on the spot.

Below: which forms to file and when, what the law counts as cash (crypto is not on the list), how a seizure works and how much is left to you, the penalties, the limits on cash payments inside Spain and what changes in 2027. Moving money without cash is covered in opening a bank account in Spain and sending money from Spain to Russia.

Three thresholds and three situations. In red: the amount at which the duty arises.

Thresholds and forms

Situation	Threshold	Form	When to file
Entering Spain from outside the EU or leaving for a non-EU country	€10,000	E-1	Before crossing the border
Entering from an EU country or leaving for one	€100,000	S-1	Before the movement
Carrying cash within Spain	€100,000	S-1	Before the movement
Money travelling without its owner: parcel, freight, separate luggage	€10,000	E-2 or S-2	30 days before the movement

Forms E-1 and E-2 are European, from Regulation 2018/1672 on cash controls; S-1 and S-2 were approved by the Spanish Order ETD/1217/2022. The declaration can be filed in person at the border or at customs, or electronically through the tax agency’s electronic office: the system issues a certified declaration with a verification code, which is what you show at the control point. Filing online needs a digital certificate — how to get one is in the digital certificate guide.

One detail for anyone relying on older guides: the 2006 order that half the online material still cites has been repealed. There are now four forms, and entering from Russia means form E-1, not S-1.

What the law counts as cash

banknotes and coins in any currency, including those withdrawn from circulation while they can still be exchanged;
bearer-negotiable instruments: cheques, promissory notes and payment orders, including ones signed without naming the payee;
coins with a gold content of at least 90% and bullion, nuggets or granules with a gold content of at least 99.5%;
crypto does not count as cash — the EU regulation expressly excludes crypto-assets. They carry their own duty: the informative form 721 where the assets are held with foreign platforms, covered in crypto tax in Spain and forms 720 and 721.

A bank transfer needs no declaration on these forms: the rules cover only the physical movement of means of payment. The bank will still ask about the origin of the money under the anti-money-laundering act, and that is a separate piece of preparation.

Seizure: how it works

Grounds. Cash is seized if no declaration was filed, or if the declared amount differs from the actual one by more than 10% or more than €3,000.
What is left to you. Up to €1,000 per person is left for immediate expenses — the minimum set by the order.
How long. Seized funds are held for 30 days, extendable to 90.
The penalty. From €600 to 50% of the amount carried. Carrying €200,000 undeclared can mean a sanction of up to €100,000.
The practice cannot be checked: the act expressly excludes these decisions from publication, so there are no public statistics on penalties.

Limits on cash payments inside Spain

This is a different rule, though it is often confused with the declaration. Act 7/2012 prohibits cash settlements:

above €1,000 where at least one party acts as a business or a professional;
above €10,000 where the payer is an individual without a tax domicile in Spain and is not acting as a business;
the penalty is 25% of the amount paid in cash above the limit, and both parties are jointly liable.

For a property purchase the conclusion is simple: the deposit and the price are paid by transfer, not in cash. The contract itself is covered in the arras deposit contract and the purchase in buying a house in Spain.

What changes in 2027

From 10 July 2027 Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 applies across the Union and introduces a single ceiling on cash payments: €10,000 for the whole EU. Member States may keep lower limits, so Spain’s €1,000 limit for dealings with businesses stays in place. If you are planning large payments after that date, work to the new rule.

How to prepare if the sum is large

Work out the threshold per person and per movement. An accompanied child’s cash is attributed to the adult, and money belonging to several family members in one suitcase counts together.
File the declaration online in advance and print it with the verification code: at the border that ends the conversation before it starts.
Bring proof of the source of funds: the sale agreement, an account statement, a tax return. The bank will ask for the same documents later.
Ask whether you need cash at all. Large sums are better transferred to a Spanish account: cash cannot be used towards a purchase beyond the limits anyway, and a seizure at the border puts your plans on hold for a month.
Remember the assets declaration. Once you become a Spanish tax resident, foreign accounts and assets are declared separately — on forms 720 and 721 — and the residence criteria are in Spanish tax residency.

Frequently asked questions

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

Less than €10,000 per person when entering from a country outside the European Union. From €10,000 upwards you need a declaration on form E-1, filed before crossing the border.

What is the threshold inside Spain?

€100,000: carrying that much cash around the country requires form S-1. The same threshold applies to journeys to and from EU countries.

What happens if I do not declare?

A penalty from €600 to 50% of the amount carried, and the money may be seized on the spot, leaving up to €1,000 per person. A seizure lasts 30 days and can be extended to 90.

Does cryptocurrency count as cash?

No, the EU regulation expressly excludes crypto-assets. They have their own informative return — form 721 — where the assets are held with foreign platforms.

Does a bank transfer have to be declared?

No, these forms cover only the physical movement of cash and bearer instruments. The bank will nevertheless require you to explain the origin of the funds.

Can the declaration be filed online?

Yes, through the tax agency’s electronic office with a digital certificate. The system issues a certified declaration with a verification code to show at the control point.

Can the amount be split between family members?

The threshold is per person, but an accompanied child’s cash is attributed to the adult. Money travelling together in one piece of luggage is treated as a single movement.

Can I pay for a flat in cash?

No. Cash settlements are capped at €1,000 where one party is a business and €10,000 where the payer is an individual without a tax domicile in Spain. The penalty is 25% of the excess, for both parties.