The digital bank that built its reputation on doing away with branches is now betting that a physical presence can do something an app cannot: build trust.
Revolut, the UK-based fintech valued at $75 billion, is opening its first physical retail location — a permanent store in Barcelona that the company says will bring its digital ecosystem to life in an immersive, high-visibility space.
The store, called Revolut Store, will be located in central Barcelona and will employ more than 20 people. According to Spanish media reports, it is expected to open at the end of 2026 or in early 2027 and will operate under a lease agreement. Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, which first reported the details, described the store as comparable in scale to an Apple retail location.
Revolut said the store would not function as a bank branch. A spokesperson described it as a space where customers can discover and explore the company’s products and services, rather than conduct standard banking transactions. “This will not be a temporary pop-up, but a permanent space,” the spokesperson said. “A high-visibility, immersive space that will bring our ecosystem to life.”
The company framed the move as a deliberate attempt to add a human dimension to a brand that has operated entirely online. “We decided to open a physical space to engage with consumers as any other lifestyle brand would do,” the spokesperson said. “We also believe physical presence builds trust by putting a human layer on top of the digital experience.”
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Barcelona is a meaningful choice for Revolut beyond geography. The company employs around 700 people in the city and previously used it as the launch market for its first ATMs. Antoine Le Nel, Revolut’s global marketing director, told La Vanguardia that Barcelona had long served as a testing ground for the company. “It’s an innovative city where we can find both local and international customers,” he said. If the store performs well, Le Nel said Revolut plans to replicate the model in other markets.