Revolut is preparing to open a physical space in Barcelona, but it’s deliberately avoiding calling it a bank branch. The move signals a shift for the digital-first company as it experiments with bringing parts of its app-based banking experience into a real-world setting.
The store will employ more than 20 people and is expected to resemble an Apple Store-style environment, described by Revolut as a “high-visibility, immersive space.” It won’t offer traditional branch banking services. Instead, Revolut says it will function as a physical touchpoint for customers to learn about and receive advice on its suite of products, which includes payments, savings, crypto, trading, insurance, and lifestyle features.
A Base in Barcelona
Although Revolut is headquartered in the UK, Barcelona has become one of its key operational hubs in Europe, and Spain is one of its larger markets. The city’s established tech ecosystem and status as an international destination may also support customer engagement as the new site.
The news comes as traditional banks continue reducing their physical footprint. In the U.S., around 6,000 commercial bank branches have closed over the past five years. A 2025 American Bankers Association survey found that only 9% of customers prefer using physical branches as their primary banking channel.
Blending Physical and Digital Banking
The launch may also reflect broader industry trends in which fintech companies experiment with physical locations while remaining primarily digital. Revolut holds a UK banking license but is still operating under certain restrictions as it continues expanding its regulated banking services.
Instead, it remains in a holding pattern, limited to holding £50,000 in total customer deposits. Revolut’s UK customers remain unprotected by the government’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which insures consumers up to £85,000 if their bank goes under.
Separately, the company has applied for a banking license in the U.S., which is still pending. This expansion effort is taking place alongside ongoing speculation about a potential initial public offering, which the company has indicated is still several years away.
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