Hey bunqers 🌈,
Trying to activate Bizum and seeing a message that your phone number is already in use? No worries, this just means your number is still linked to another Bizum account, and we can help you sort it out.
To free up your number, we'll contact Bizum on your behalf and request its release through something called a non-commercial dispute. All you need to do is reach out to our Support team in the bunq app and send us a few documents to prove the number is yours. We'll take care of the rest.
Why does this happen?
Bizum only allows one account per phone number. If your number was previously registered with another bank or Bizum account — for example, an old account of yours, or one set up by someone else — it needs to be released before you can link it to your bunq account.
What documents do I need?
To prove the phone number belongs to you, send us one of the following in PDF format:
Your mobile operator contract
Your latest phone bill
Make sure the document clearly shows:
Your full legal name
Your full phone number
What if the number isn't registered under my name?
If the phone line belongs to someone else — another person or a company — we'll need a bit more to confirm you're allowed to use it.
In that case, please also provide an authorization letter from the line owner, including:
The phone number
The line owner's full legal name and ID/NIE number
Your full legal name and ID/NIE number
A clear statement authorizing you to use the number for Bizum
The date
The letter needs to be:
Signed by the line owner, if the owner is a person
Signed and stamped, if the owner is a company
You'll also need to include the line owner's own proof of phone number ownership (their mobile operator contract or latest phone bill, showing their name and the number).
How do I submit everything?
Open the bunq app and reach out to our Support team in the chat
Let us know you can't activate Bizum because your number is already in use
Send the required documents in PDF format
We'll review everything and submit the release request to Bizum for you
How long does it take?
Once we've verified your documents and submitted the request, Bizum can take up to 10 business days to release your phone number. As soon as it's released, you'll be able to activate Bizum with your bunq account.
We know waiting isn't fun, so we'll keep things moving as quickly as we can on our side.