Banco de España Blog

Using a simple format and plain language, the Banco de España Blog seeks to make our work more accessible to the general public. It allows us to share our analysis of economic and financial issues and the ins and outs of the Banco de España’s tasks and activities with all those keen to learn more.

The Blog series group together posts covering certain similar topics. Further down is a general listing of all Blog posts, with a search function to help readers find the posts they are interested in.

 

Subscribe to the Blog

New Blog posts

Contact usOpens in new window

Send us your comments and suggestions

How to strengthen trust in central banks: transparency and accountability

15/09/2026 María Luisa Boronat (Head of Division) , Jordi Romeu and Mihai-Vasile Cîrjă

Central banks make decisions that have a significant economic and social impact. As independent institutions, transparency and accountability are essential to upholding their credibility and legitimacy. A comparative study of 35 institutions examines how these authorities are adopting a more strategic and participatory approach aimed at strengthening public trust.

Series

All blog posts

Filter

How to use the calendar: use the arrow keys to navigate the calendar. Press the arrows to navigate by days of the month. Press shift and the arrows to navigate by month. Press control and the arrows to navigate by year.

How to use the calendar: use the arrow keys to navigate the calendar. Press the arrows to navigate by days of the month. Press shift and the arrows to navigate by month. Press control and the arrows to navigate by year.

59 results found with the selected filters

imagen_futuroconbilletes

28/07/2026

A world without cash: utopia or dystopia?

Mª José Fernández Lupiáñez and Félix Redondo Gaitón

Can you imagine a world without banknotes and coins? While such a future is not inconceivable, it is by no means imminent. Yet some believe cash has its days numbered. But could it really be nearing an end? And if so, would it necessarily be a good thing, or could it prove a misstep? The coexistence of physical and digital forms of money allows people to choose what best suits each situation.

Cash, coins and banknotes

Imagen capitulo 32

24/07/2026

Banknotes: where art meets technology Series: Economy

Beatriz García , Fernando León and Juan Lupiáñez

We handle banknotes all the time, yet we seldom pause to think about what lies behind – and within – them. In this episode we discover how today’s banknotes are designed, through a process that combines art, technology, science and even psychology to create something as familiar as it is indispensable. Because a banknote is not defined by its face value alone: it also stands for trust, identity, and much more besides.

Cash, coins and banknotes

Subhome_Valencia

22/06/2026

The Valencia branch office, bringing the Banco de España closer to the public

Manuel Rubio Ros and Francisco V. Soler Tormo

The Banco de España is making progress on its commitment to be more accessible and useful to society, as two recent initiatives at the Valencia branch show: the special measures adopted to help replace the cash damaged by the October 2024 flash floods and the pilot project on the new service offering personal finance advice to the public.

Cash, coins and banknotes

imagen capitulo 27

27/05/2026

The Bank behind the scenes Series: Inside the Bank

Inés Calderón , Víctor Lapuente , Manuela Sebastián , Roberto España , Beatriz García and Sergio Gorjón

This episode of CIENxCIEN is different, and yet it captures the very essence of our podcast, as it celebrates opening our doors during Open Government Week. In our first episode with a live audience, we talked about transparency and communication, foresight and analysis, our branch network and financial education, one of our major commitments. We also brought together two forms of the euro that are not as incompatible as they may seem: cash and the future digital euro.

Cash, coins and banknotes

¿Cómo pagamos cuando todo se apaga?

27/04/2026

How do we pay when the power goes out? Spain’s blackout experience

Carlos González Constán

In critical situations, when the alternatives stop working, cash becomes even more valuable and helps us carry on. Coins and banknotes have proved their worth as an independent, widely accepted and reliable means of payment that enables us to continue making our daily purchases even in extreme circumstances like last year’s blackout.

Cash, coins and banknotes

Foto episodio 16

26/11/2025

From cash to mobiles: How we pay in Spain Series: Regulation and Supervision, Cash

Isabel Rodríguez Molina and Álvaro Esandi Erro

Do you usually pay for your purchases with cash, a card or directly with your mobile? Do you prefer shopping in physical stores or the convenience of shopping online? Or perhaps you’re one of those who say, when splitting a bill, “I’ll Bizum you”.
Whichever way you prefer to pay, you will discover in this CIENxCIEN episode how means of payment are changing in Spain and how security and convenience are key in every transaction.

Cash, coins and banknotes

Euro Digital

20/11/2025

Advancing towards the future of our money: the digital euro

Juan Ayuso

Why all the talk about the digital euro? Since 2021 the Eurosystem has been working on a digital version of the euro, so the public can enjoy the benefits of cash in their digital payments. The Governing Council of the ECB has decided to move to the next phase of the project. You may be wondering what the digital euro means for you.

Cash, coins and banknotes

Tecnobilletes_subhome

12/05/2025

Traditional, but indispensable and cutting-edge. How much tech is packed into a banknote?

Fernando León , Raquel Pantoja , Cristina García and Miguel López

Cash is still essential in the digital age. Banknotes – from their design to production – incorporate the latest technology to be more secure, durable and sustainable. They are high-tech industrial products that are constantly being enhanced. At the Banco de España, we help design the banknotes of the future.

Cash, coins and banknotes