Use bank ATMs (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank; fees 3–7 € per withdrawal) and avoid Euronet machines with DCC markups up to 12% - always choose to be charged in EUR. Contactless payment is universal, though Amex is often refused; tipping means rounding up with coins, 5–10% only for exceptional service.
- Withdraw only from traditional bank ATMs - Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank - which charge 3.00 € to 7.00 € per foreign-card withdrawal.
- Categorically avoid Euronet machines in tourist zones, which add their own fee and an unfavourable markup of up to 12%.
- Always choose to be charged in euro. Letting the merchant or machine set the rate makes the transaction 5% to 12% more expensive.
- Contactless is standard even at market stalls, though American Express is refused in many places because of high fees.
- Tipping is not obligatory - service is included by law. Round up with coins in a café, or 5% to 10% for exceptional service at a formal dinner.
Money and payments
- Currency and exchange rate: Spain's currency is the euro (EUR, €).
- ATM withdrawals (Cajero Automático): Withdraw cash exclusively from ATMs of the traditional banking houses (Banco Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank). These institutions charge a fixed fee of 3.00 € to 7.00 € per foreign-card withdrawal. As of March 2026 the exact fee is 4.50 € at CaixaBank, 5.00 € at Deutsche Bank and 6.00 € at Bankinter. Categorically avoid the non-bank Euronet ATMs in tourist zones, which charge fees from 1.95 € to 4.99 € and apply an unfavorable exchange markup (DCC) of up to 12%. The standard single-withdrawal limit is 600 €.
- DCC protection (Dynamic Currency Conversion): At any card payment in a shop or ATM withdrawal, the terminal may ask whether you want the transaction settled in your card's home currency. Always choose the local currency (EUR). Choosing the home currency lets the merchant or ATM operator set their own exchange rate, making the transaction 5% to 12% more expensive.
- Cashless payments: Contactless payments (card, Apple Pay, Google Pay) are completely standard in Spain and accepted even by small vendors and market stalls. American Express (Amex) cards, however, are refused in many places because of high interchange fees. Carry a minimal amount of cash (10 € - 20 €) for tickets on some regional buses that do not take cards.
- Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory and is not automatically expected in Spanish culture, since the service charge is included in prices by law. In ordinary cafés and restaurants it is customary to round the bill up with loose coins (about 1 € - 2 €). At formal dinners with exceptional service, a 5% to 10% tip is the standard.
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