The Banco de España On 14 September 2026, at the event House of the Euro highlighted the importance of a functioning cash cycle for Payment systems . Representatives of the Directorate-General for Institutional Relations, Transparency and Conduct stressed that cash remains essential infrastructure, even as the Eurosystem works in parallel on preparations for a possible digital euro.
The immediate context is a speech in which the central bank outlined the division of responsibilities: Cash supply, quality assurance for banknotes and ensuring broad acceptance in shops and everyday life must be maintained over the long term. At the same time, work is under way on how a Digital euro could be designed as an additional form of public money that is secure, data-efficient and interoperable. The remarks described the status of ongoing work; no binding decisions were announced.
The European context shapes these priorities. Under the Eurosystem’s cash strategy, the reach and availability of banknotes and coins are to be protected in all member states. The Europäische Zentralbank and the national central banks are also examining the technical and legal foundations for a digital euro. The aim is to strengthen the resilience of payment systems, preserve user choice and support the monetary sovereignty of the currency union.
For Spain The Banco de España identifies operational tasks in particular: efficient cash distribution logistics, checking and withdrawing worn banknotes, cooperation with credit institutions, and modernising cash-handling processes. On the regulatory front, the focus is on clarifying rights of access to cash services and obligations to accept cash. For the digital euro, the emphasis is on contributing to European specifications and pilot phases, to allow the two forms of central bank money to coexist in the future without distorting competition.
The bank explicitly distinguished between intentions and outcomes: these are plans, areas for examination and ongoing projects. Timetables and design depend on decisions by European lawmakers and the results of technical tests; no specific deadlines were given. What is clear, however, is that cash will remain legal tender and that the digital euro—if introduced—is intended to complement, not replace, cash.
The Banco de España thus takes a measured view of the debate in Spain: safeguarding cash infrastructure, preparing digital options and protecting consumers must be considered together to keep payment systems resilient, inclusive and competitive.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).