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Money & currency

Money in Spain

Updated 2026-09-24

Money & Currency
€

Euro (EUR)

Currency code: EUR

Practical Money Tips

Currency Exchange in Spain

Spain uses the Euro (EUR), so travelers from other Eurozone countries need no exchange. For visitors converting from USD, GBP, AUD, CAD or other currencies, ATMs consistently offer the best rates. Dedicated exchange offices exist in Madrid (Sol, Gran Vía), Barcelona (Las Ramblas, Plaça de Catalunya) and other tourist centres, but commissions of 3–8% are standard — the ones on Las Ramblas are particularly aggressive. Banks exchange currency but with limited hours and slow service. Avoid airport exchanges at Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat — rates are the worst available. In smaller cities and towns, exchange offices are rare; ATMs are the only practical option.

ATM Availability

ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are widespread throughout Spain — in bank branches, shopping centres, airports, train stations and even small towns. Major Spanish banks include CaixaBank (the largest), Santander, BBVA, Bankinter and Sabadell. Daily withdrawal limits are set by your home bank rather than the machine — check yours before travelling. Visa and Mastercard work at virtually all machines; Maestro at most. Always decline the “conversion to your home currency” option (Dynamic Currency Conversion) — it adds a 3–5% markup. Many Spanish ATMs charge no fee on their end, but your home bank may charge a flat fee per international withdrawal — worth checking in advance. On smaller Balearic and Canary islands, ATMs may be limited to the main town — withdraw before heading to remote beaches or villages.

Card Acceptance

Card payments are widely accepted in Spain's cities, tourist areas and larger businesses. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere; contactless payment (tap-to-pay) is standard at modern terminals. Apple Pay and Google Pay function at most retailers, supermarkets and restaurants. American Express has more limited acceptance. Cash remains important in Spain more than in some northern European countries: traditional tapas bars, smaller shops, village markets, rural areas, beach chiringuitos (beach bars), and some taxis prefer or require cash. Many small businesses set a modest minimum for card payments. Carry a moderate amount of cash in small notes alongside your cards, especially outside major cities and tourist zones.

Tipping Customs

Tipping is not obligatory in Spain — there is no service charge and no expectation of 15–20% as in the US. Spaniards typically leave small change or round up the bill. In sit-down restaurants, leaving 5–10% for good service is generous; many locals simply leave a couple of coins or the loose change. At tapas bars, tipping is minimal — rounding up or leaving spare change. Café: nothing, or the coins from change. Hotel porters: a small amount per bag. Taxi: round up to the nearest euro. Tour guides: a modest per-person amount for a half-day tour. Housekeeping: a small amount per day. Always tip in cash even if paying by card.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

What is the currency of Spain?

Spain uses the Euro (EUR, symbol €), shared with the other Eurozone countries. Banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500 (though €500 and €200 notes are rarely seen and often refused). Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2. Spanish euro coins feature King Felipe VI (€1 and €2), Cervantes (10c, 20c, 50c) and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (1c, 2c, 5c). Travelers from Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Portugal and other Eurozone countries use the same currency — no exchange needed.

How much should I budget per day in Spain?

Budget travelers cover a hostel bed, supermarket lunches, one restaurant dinner, public transport and free walking tours. Mid-range adds a 3-star hotel, café breakfasts, restaurant meals, museum entries and occasional taxis. Upscale covers a boutique hotel, fine dining, guided tours and AVE first class. Key cost categories to check current prices for: café con leche, tapas portions, the menú del día (three-course lunch), beer (caña), metro tickets and museum entry — plus mid-range hotel rates, which run noticeably higher in Madrid than outside it. Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive cities; Andalusia, Valencia and northern Spain offer better value. The Balearic and Canary Islands vary by island — Ibiza and Mallorca are pricier; Fuerteventura and Menorca less so. Spain's menú del día at lunchtime remains one of Europe's best-value meals.

Do I need cash in Spain?

More than you might expect for a Western European country. While cards work in most shops, restaurants and hotels, Spain has a stronger cash culture than countries like the Netherlands or Scandinavia. Traditional tapas bars, market stalls, smaller shops, beach chiringuitos, some taxis, rural accommodation and village businesses may be cash-only or have card minimums. The best approach: carry a modest amount of cash in small notes for daily incidentals, and use your card for larger purchases. In major cities and tourist areas, you can get by mostly with cards; in rural Spain, small towns and traditional bars, cash is king.

Is Spain expensive compared to other Mediterranean destinations?

Spain is excellent value for Western Europe — cheaper than France, Italy and the UK, and comparable to Portugal and Greece in most areas. The menú del día (three-course lunch with drink) is one of Europe's best-value meals and available almost everywhere. Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive cities but still cheaper than Paris, London or Rome. The biggest savings come from: eating the set lunch menu, drinking local house wine, staying outside peak season (July–August), and exploring beyond the obvious tourist magnets. Andalusia, Galicia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha and Aragón offer particularly good value.

Should I exchange money before traveling to Spain?

Eurozone travelers: no exchange needed — same currency. For USD, GBP, AUD, CAD holders: bringing a small amount of cash for immediate expenses is practical, but exchanging large amounts at home usually gives worse rates than Spanish ATMs. Your debit card at a Spanish ATM will give you close to the interbank rate minus your bank's foreign transaction fee (typically 1–3%). If your bank charges high fees, consider a travel-oriented card (Wise, Revolut, or similar) before departure. Tip: avoid the currency exchange desks at Las Ramblas in Barcelona and Sol in Madrid — they target tourists with poor rates despite flashy signage.

Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay in Spain?

Yes, Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most modern payment terminals in Spain — supermarkets (Mercadona, Carrefour, Lidl), restaurants, shops, pharmacies and major chains. Contactless card payments are widespread. Madrid and Barcelona metro systems accept contactless bank cards. However, traditional tapas bars, small family-run restaurants, market stalls and rural businesses often still rely on cash or older terminals without NFC support. Keep a physical card and some cash as backup.

What is the menú del día and how does it work?

The menú del día is Spain's legendary set lunch — typically a three-course meal (starter, main, dessert) with bread and a drink (wine, beer, water or soft drink) for a fixed price. It's served Monday to Friday at lunchtime (usually 1–4pm) at most sit-down restaurants across the country. The choices change daily and reflect seasonal, regional cooking — not tourist food. It's what locals eat for lunch. The menú del día is the single best strategy for eating well on a budget in Spain, in Madrid and Barcelona as much as in smaller towns, though prices run a little higher in the big cities. Always ask “¿Tienen menú del día?” — some places don't advertise it but offer it. Weekends and evenings are à la carte and significantly more expensive.

Entry rules, visa types and practical notes live on the Spain overview.

Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.