What is IBAN? - International Bank Account Number

The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a standardized international code that uniquely identifies a bank account. It was developed by the European Committee for Banking Standards (ECBS) and later adopted as an international standard ISO 13616. IBAN is primarily used in Europe but is also accepted in many other countries worldwide.

The information provided is based on official data from the Ministry of the Interior. You can consult more details on the official DNI website.

Related tools:

IBAN Structure

The IBAN is composed of the following elements:

  • Country code (2 letters): Identifies the country where the account is located
  • Control digits (2 numbers): Verify the validity of the IBAN
  • BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number): Identifies the specific bank account

What is IBAN used for?

IBAN is necessary for:

  • Making international transfers
  • Setting up direct debits
  • SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) operations
  • Verifying the validity of a bank account

IBAN and SEPA

IBAN is essential for SEPA operations, which allow:

  • Euro transfers between EU countries
  • International bank direct debits
  • Unification of European payment systems

Frequently Asked Questions about IBAN

How many characters does an IBAN have?

The length of the IBAN varies by country. In Spain, the IBAN has 24 characters (ES + 2 control digits + 20 account digits).

How are control digits calculated?

Control digits are calculated using a specific algorithm that verifies the validity of the IBAN. This calculation includes the country code and account number.

Is it mandatory to use IBAN?

Yes, since 2014 it has been mandatory to use IBAN for all bank transfers in the SEPA area.

History of IBAN

IBAN was introduced in 1997 by the European Committee for Banking Standards to facilitate international transfers. In 2001, it became an ISO standard (ISO 13616) and in 2014 it became mandatory for all SEPA transfers.