Europe

Money, cards and tipping in Spain

Capital: MadridSpanish, Catalan, Galician, BasqueUpdated October 2026

EUREuro

Money in Spain

Cards almost everywhere Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere, even for a coffee. Some tapas bars, markets and village shops prefer cash. US$1 ≈ €0.89 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.
ATMs: Many Spanish ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros per withdrawal; Euronet machines cost more. Always decline the conversion.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Bizum, used to split bills, needs a Spanish bank account.
Price level: about 64% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Barcelona	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; small bars, markets and some corner shops prefer cash for tiny amounts.
Madrid	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones work almost everywhere; carry some coins for small bars, markets and the Rastro.
Seville	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work nearly everywhere; some old tapas bars, markets and small shops prefer cash or have card minimums.
Valencia	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work nearly everywhere; markets, small bars and beach kiosks may prefer cash.
Málaga	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; small tapas bars, beach kiosks and markets may prefer cash.
Mallorca	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work widely; some beach kiosks, markets and village cafés prefer cash.
Ibiza	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work at most venues; beach kiosks, hippie markets and some taxis prefer cash.
Tenerife	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; markets, kiosks and small bars may prefer cash.
Gran Canaria	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; markets, kiosks and some small bars prefer cash.
Granada	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work widely; some old tapas bars, small shops and Albaicín cafés prefer cash.
Costa del Sol	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere, even for a coffee. Chiringuitos, markets and some tapas bars still prefer cash.
Palma	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; markets and tiny bars sometimes prefer cash.
Las Palmas	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; markets and small kiosks may prefer cash.
Lanzarote	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work at most places; markets, small bars and some rural shops prefer cash.
San Sebastián	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; some pintxos bars and markets prefer cash.
Bilbao	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; some small bars, pintxo counters and markets prefer cash.
Alicante	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; market stalls, beach kiosks and small bars may prefer cash.
Fuerteventura	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work at most places; markets, small bars and rural shops sometimes prefer cash.
Córdoba	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work almost everywhere; carry a few euros for old-town tapas bars, small patios and market stalls.
Marbella	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones work nearly everywhere; keep a little cash for small chiringuitos, market stalls and taxis.
Menorca	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work almost everywhere; keep cash for beach kiosks, farm shops and small village bars.
Cádiz	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work in most places; carry cash for old-town tapas bars, market stalls and some beach kiosks.
Toledo	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones work nearly everywhere; keep cash for small bars, marzipan shops and some stalls.
Santiago de Compostela	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work nearly everywhere; cash helps in small tapas bars, bakeries and albergues.
Benidorm	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work almost everywhere; cash for some small bars, market stalls and tips.
Costa Blanca	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere, even for a coffee. Markets, chiringuitos and some tapas bars still prefer cash.
Costa Brava	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere. Markets, beach bars and small village shops sometimes prefer cash.
Maspalomas	Cards almost everywhere	Cards accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for kiosks, markets and small bars.
Sitges	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones work almost everywhere; keep cash for small bars, market stalls and beach kiosks.
Salamanca	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work nearly everywhere; cash for some student bars and small tapas places.
Girona	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones work nearly everywhere; cash for market stalls and some small bars.
Tarifa	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work nearly everywhere; carry cash for beach bars, markets and surf shops.
Ronda	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work in most shops and restaurants; carry cash for small tapas bars and market stalls.
Nerja	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work nearly everywhere; keep cash for small tapas bars, beach stalls and markets.
Formentera	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work in most shops and restaurants; cash helps at beach stalls, markets and bike rentals.
Torremolinos	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones work almost everywhere; cash for some beach bars, market stalls and small tavernas.
Murcia	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere. Markets, some tapas bars and village shops prefer cash.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Spain?

Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.

Is Spain cashless?

Cards almost everywhere. Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere, even for a coffee. Some tapas bars, markets and village shops prefer cash.

What currency does Spain use?

The Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.