Cash withdrawal using a code at ATMs of Mexican banks — This is a way to process money without physically using a bank card. The procedure is used both to simplify access to funds and to transfer cash to persons who do not have a bank account. The operation is carried out within the country through ATMs that support the «retiro sin tarjeta» function.
The mechanism consists of two parties: the sender (the owner of the Mexican card or account) and the recipient. The sender generates a code using online banking or a mobile application. This code is a digital sequence valid for a limited time. The recipient uses this code to withdraw a predetermined amount from an ATM. The recipient does not need a bank card. The only condition — use the ATM of the bank through which the code was created. There is no universal compatibility between banks.
The system is used primarily for domestic use in Mexico:
- Transferring money to persons without bank cards
- Temporary access to funds
- Paying cash to employees without an account
- Emergency transfers within the country
From a practical point of view, the operation is very useful:
- Residents of Mexico. The sender has a Mexican bank account, but the recipient does not have one or does not want to use one.
- For foreign travelers. There are many offers for exchanging and transferring money to Mexico with cash withdrawal. For example, a Russian tourist sends a certain amount from his Russian account to another Russian account, and the owner of that other Russian account gives the tourist money from his Mexican account, which he can withdraw from an ATM using the code. Transfers are carried out on trust. Conversion of rubles into pesos occurs at the agreed rate.
The following Mexican banks most actively provide the function of processing cash by code:
- BBVA México
- Banorte
- Citibanamex
- Banco Azteca
Foreign banks operating in Mexico do not participate in this scheme. Foreign transfers and ATMs outside the country do not support code withdrawals. In addition, not all ATMs of Mexican banks are capable of having the card-free withdrawal function activated — relevant for older models or ATMs outside large cities.
Requirements of individual banks (as of 2025):
BBVA México:
- Maximum amount per transaction: 8000 Mexican pesos
- Maximum transactions per day: 1
- Total daily limit: 8,000 pesos
- Minimum amount: 100 pesos
- The code is valid for 24 hours
- Cancel option: available in the app until used
- — Withdrawals are only allowed at BBVA ATMs
Additionally: If the code is not used, the funds are automatically returned to the account. There is no fee if you use a BBVA ATM. If you try to get money from an ATM of another bank, the operation will not be completed — The functionality is not interbank.
Banorte:
- Maximum amount per transaction: 10,000 pesos
- Number of operations per day: up to 3
- Total daily limit: 10,000 pesos
- Minimum amount: 50 pesos
- The code is valid for 24 hours
- Cancellation option via app available
- Removal — only at Banorte ATMs
Additionally: In the Banorte system, the recipient sometimes must enter the sender's phone number and the last digits of the account or card number. If entered incorrectly, the data is blocked for several hours. The code does not work at ATMs of other banks.
Citibanamex:
- Maximum per transaction: 2000 pesos
- Number of operations per day: up to 2
- Total limit: 4,000 pesos per day
- Minimum: 100 pesos
- The code is valid for 24 hours
- Cancellation is possible via the app or web platform
- Only Citibanamex ATMs
Additionally: Limit restrictions are lower than BBVA and Banorte. Citibanamex has the option to require you to enter the security PIN generated when the code was generated. This measure is aimed at providing additional protection when transferring money to persons without a bank account.
Banco Azteca:
- Maximum per transaction: 5,000 pesos
- Number of operations per day: up to 2
- Daily limit: 5000 pesos
- Minimum: 100 pesos
- The code is valid for 24 hours
- Can be canceled before use
- Only Banco Azteca ATMs
Additionally: In Banco Azteca, the code can be presented in two parts — main digital code and one-time password. The recipient enters both parameters. If not completed within 24 hours, the amount is refunded.
Santander México (opens this service on a limited basis):
- Maximum per transaction: 2000 pesos
- Total limit per day: 2000 pesos
- Minimum: 100 pesos
- Number of operations: 1 per day
- Code validity: up to 24 hours
- Removal — only at Santander ATMs
Additionally: This feature is not available for all clients. In some tariffs, the code withdrawal service is completely disabled. You should first check the availability of the option in the mobile application.
Other banks (Inbursa, HSBC Mexico, Scotiabank, Afirme):
- — They partially support withdrawals without a card, but in most cases, only through their own devices.
- — Often the service is limited to corporate rates or premium clients.
- — General limit range: from 1000 to 5000 pesos
- — It is necessary to clarify the conditions in each specific case
Commission is not always charged. In most cases, the transaction is free if you use the sending bank's ATM. ATMs located in private locations (for example, stores) may have a separate fee. The size of the commission in these cases — from 10 to 30 Mexican pesos. The data is available on the ATM screen before the transaction is confirmed.
Restrictions common to all banks:
- The amount to be issued depends not only on the bank limit, but also on the availability of banknotes at a particular ATM (small amounts may not be available).
- Transactions are only possible within Mexico.
- Withdrawals are only allowed at ATMs of the bank where the code was created.
- If the limit is exceeded — the system blocks the chance of generating a new code until the next day.
- Some banks have a weekly or monthly limit (in particular, BBVA — up to 30,000 pesos per month, but this is not directly displayed when generating the code).
- Some ATMs further limit the maximum amount per withdrawal due to a physical limit on the number of banknotes (for example, no more than 40 bills).
The code is valid for 24 hours, which is the default value. After the end of the period, the code becomes invalid and the amount is returned to the sender's account. Some applications offer the possibility of early cancellation of the code. In this case, in addition, a refund will be issued.
Sender's procedure:
- Log in to the mobile application or online banking.
- Select section «Retiros sin tarjeta» or similar.
- Specify the amount.
- Confirm the operation (enter PIN, biometrics, SMS code — depends on the bank).
- Get a digital code (sometimes two codes: main and verification).
- Send the code to the recipient in any way.
The feature does not require the sender to activate any new product. A current account is used, to which the mobile application is connected. Transfer of the code to third parties is at the discretion of the sender. Security depends on code confidentiality. Losing access to the code potentially means the risk of an unauthorized person receiving funds.
Recipient's procedure:
- Find the ATM of the relevant bank.
- Select the option to withdraw without a card.
- Enter the received code(s).
- If necessary, provide additional information (phone number, date of birth, control number — depends on the bank).
- The ATM will count out the cash.
ATM interfaces vary. Some require only a code, others require other data. There is no unification between banks. The user must first ensure that the ATM belongs to the required banking network. The code cannot be used at a non-compatible ATM.
To minimize risks it is recommended:
- Do not transmit code through open or insecure channels
- Do not save codes in unprotected form
- Don't send code in advance if you don't know when it will be used
- Check limits and expiration dates before starting the transaction
Cash withdrawal using code — This is a strictly limited and controlled function. Banks limit the amount, frequency, validity period and channels of use, while not allowing interbank exchange. Most transactions are available in the range of 2000-10000 pesos per day, only within the ATMs of one bank.
So, the withdrawal operation using a code acts as a mechanism for local cardless access to cash. Effective in situations where handing over a physical card is not possible or desirable. The system is built into the infrastructure of Mexican banks and is designed for mass domestic use.