Madrid installs ATMs in all municipalities to support rural areas

The Community of Madrid has become the first region in Spain to ensure all its municipalities have access to ATMs. Through the ‘Pueblos con Vida’ program, the regional government has already installed 25 ATMs in towns with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants that lack physical bank branches.

As of the end of September, these 25 devices recorded 6,044 transactions, mobilizing a total of 783,920 euros. Usage increased significantly during the summer, with September seeing 4,039 withdrawals. The program aims to deploy a total of 61 ATMs in municipalities without bank offices. Once fully implemented, the regional executive estimates these machines will mobilize approximately 30 million euros annually, with an estimated 15 million euros benefiting local commerce, hospitality, and proximity services.

Data from the Bank of Spain highlights the importance of this initiative, noting that in 2025, cash remained the primary means of payment for 72% of residents in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. The initiative seeks to reduce the need for residents to travel to other towns for cash, thereby supporting local economies and reducing financial exclusion.