Do you want to make or receive a money transfer using your bank account? You may need an IBAN to make a domestic or international bank transfer.
IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number and is an internationally accepted numbering system that identifies individual bank accounts around the world. IBANs are used by banks to transfer money and ensure that payments reach the correct location. If you want to know how to calculate the IBAN, validate it and what it is used for, we explain these below.
An IBAN consists of up to 34 letters and numbers and follows a specific format. In Spain, IBANs consist of 24 digits and include the country code, check digits, bank code, bank branch code, national code, and bank account number.
1 – Country code – 2 letters
The first two letters represent the country where your bank is located. This is “ES” for Spain.
2 – Check digits – 2 digits
The next two digits are check digits. These are calculated with an algorithm and used to validate the correctness of the IBAN.
3 – Bank code – 4 digits
This four-digit number identifies the bank.
4 – Bank branch – 4 digits
This four-digit number identifies the bank branch.
5 – National code – 2 digits
The next two digits represent the national code.
6 – Bank account number – 10 digits
Lastly, the account number is listed and is a maximum of 10 digits. Generally, shorter account numbers are left-justified and preceded by zeros to make them 10 digits.
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You can find your IBAN by reviewing your bank account statement or by logging into your bank account online. Since IBANs are mixed with account data, you can also use a calculator tool to obtain your IBAN.
If you need to validate your IBAN in general, the IBAN appears on the front of your bank book. You also have the possibility to find the IBAN online by logging into your bank user area. If you cannot find it, you can ask your bank to give you your IBAN number.
IBANs are used in most European countries and in several countries outside Europe. The following table provides information on the countries that are indicated in the IBAN record along with the length of the account number for each country.
Find your country below:
*IBAN is mandatory in cross border payments in these countries.
**IBAN-only principle applies to these IBAN mandatory countries. Additional information other than that which is ascertained by the IBAN will be ignored
*IBAN is mandatory in cross border payments in these countries.
**IBAN-only principle applies to these IBAN mandatory countries. Additional information other than that which is ascertained by the IBAN will be ignored
*IBAN is mandatory in cross border payments in these countries.
**IBAN-only principle applies to these IBAN mandatory countries. Additional information other than that which is ascertained by the IBAN will be ignored
*IBAN is mandatory in cross border payments in these countries.
**IBAN-only principle applies to these IBAN mandatory countries. Additional information other than that which is ascertained by the IBAN will be ignored
The IBAN registry is a catalog published by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial and Interbank Communications (SWIFT) that indicates the format of IBANs for countries that comply with the latest standards. In the IBAN record you will find information about the format of each country’s IBAN, such as the country code, how many characters the IBAN has, its length, the number of characters of the bank or branch identifiers and other relevant information, such as whether the country is a member of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
IBAN and SWIFT codes are used for international money transfers. However, IBANs identify the individual bank account number, while SWIFT codes identify the location of a specific bank.
The Bank Identifier Code (BIC) is identical to a SWIFT code and is used to identify the location of a bank, while an IBAN identifies the individual bank account number.
The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is a payment system that facilitates money transfers between European countries in euros only. The IBAN, on the other hand, is used to send money worldwide and allows you to send money in various currencies.
Maybe not. There are some countries that do not require an IBAN to transfer money. Whether you send money in person, online, with an international money transfer application, or any other method, in Spain you will always need to use an IBAN for domestic and international money transfers. An IBAN may be required if you are making a cross-border payment and the beneficiary’s bank is in a country that uses the IBAN system.
Currently, the United States does not use the IBAN system. Instead, U.S. bank accounts use ABA routing numbers for domestic money transfers and SWIFT codes for international money transfers.
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Rating as of 18 December, 2023.
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