Can banks change the terms and conditions of your account?
21/04/2026
It may come as a surprise: your bank can indeed change the terms and conditions of your account, but only if it follows certain rules. Payment account terms are typically established in open-ended contracts, which remain in force for as long as both the customer and the bank choose to maintain them. Precisely because of this indefinite duration, banks may change the terms, provided certain requirements are met.
Changes fall into two categories:
- Those that benefit the customer, for example, removing a fee or lowering its amount. Here, the bank can make the change right away and tell you afterwards.
- Those that are not in the customer's favour, or whose benefit is not clear. In such cases, the bank must tell the account holder at least two months in advance. A common example is when the bank raises the maintenance fee.
Keep in mind that when your bank tells you it is changing your account terms, it will usually say that you will be considered as having tacitly agreed to the changes unless you clearly object before they take effect.
But this tacit agreement is only valid if it is written in the contract, and you must be allowed to close your account immediately and free of charge, provided it has been open for at least six months.
If the bank notifies you through your online banking mailboxAbre en ventana nueva, it must also send you an SMS or an email to make sure you are aware of the changes. Remember, once the deadline for replying has passed, you will be treated as having signed and accepted them.
There is one exception to the rules on changing account terms. If the account is used solely for loan repayments, it is treated as an ancillary account and its terms cannot be changed while the loan remains in force.
