Cash withdrawals will change starting June 28: ATMs will have to adapt to the regulations.

Withdrawing cash has never been easier than with the accessibility law. The purpose of this new regulation is to ensure that people with disabilities can conduct banking transactions without facing barriers due to their physical or intellectual condition. The law goes into effect on June 28, requiring all banks to update their ATMs to meet the stipulated requirements.

Among the main new features are an enlarged font size, audio guides, and a redesigned interface and menu. These changes would also benefit all citizens by improving service. The law also contemplates improvements within financial institutions, as they must train their staff to provide services to those with disabilities.

Improvements to ATMs

The law addresses the need for multiple channels to ensure an accessible experience for those who struggle for whatever reason. Among the requirements is adapting icons, text, and screen brightness for better viewing. ATMs will also be required to include headsets for voice instructions and buttons with raised or intuitive layouts.

The transformation will be carried out gradually, as the law distinguishes between new ATMs and existing ones. Banks must inform their customers about which ATMs are already adapted and which ones are still in need of improvements, so that they know, in advance, the advantages they have for banking transactions.

ATMs operating before June 28, 2025, will be able to continue operating until the end of their useful life , i.e., a maximum of 10 years . Currently, there are around 47,000 ATMs in Spain, and the cost of implementing the changes to achieve maximum accessibility is between € 1,500 and €3,000 per unit.

Benefits for the elderly

The changes might not be so noticeable for many people, but they are for older adults. The reality is that using a complex interface is one of the most common issues, but so is small font size—sometimes very small.

Even so, the Accessibility Law, responsible for the introduction of these changes, establishes requirements not only for ATMs, but also for financial products and services, insurance companies, e-commerce, transportation, electricity, water, and gas utilities, and, finally, travel agencies and tour operators.