The latest Banco de España study on payment habits shows Spaniards carry an average of 45 euros in cash, half the 70 to 100 euros recommended by the central bank for crises like last year's blackout. The bank emphasizes cash's independence from technological infrastructure failures.
The Banco de España's latest study reveals Spanish households fall short of its cash liquidity recommendations for emergencies. Citizens carry an average of 45 euros in bills and coins, compared to the central bank's advice of 70-100 euros per person to cover basic purchases for three days during outages or network failures.
Amounts vary widely: 26% carry up to 20 euros, 46% between 21 and 50 euros—totaling 72% under 50 euros—while only 18% have 51-100 euros. Higher sums are uncommon, with 4% at 101-200 euros, 1% at 200-500 euros, and 4% carrying none.
Cash remains the habitual payment method for 57% of consumers in physical stores, though slightly down from last year. Cards rank second, with mobile payments now at 15%.
Other authorities echo this. Sweden's Riksbank recommended in March that households keep at least 1,000 Swedish kronor (about 90 euros). The European Commission included cash in its emergency kit proposed last year to survive 72 hours without external aid.
