Tipping in Spain
Tipping in Spain is optional — leave small change or around 5% for good service and you'll be doing what most locals do. Prices include service and staff earn a regular wage, so there's no pressure and nobody is offended if you leave nothing. Spaniards tend to tip less than Americans or Britons, and tourists who leave 15–20% stand out.
Usual: 0–5%
Short answer
Tipping in Spain is optional: leave small coins at tapas bars and cafés, around 5% (up to 10% for great service) at sit-down restaurants, and round up taxi fares to the next euro.
Open the tip calculator for this countryRestaurants
At sit-down restaurants, round up or leave about 5% for good service, and up to 10% for an excellent meal or a special occasion. With a lunchtime menú del día (often €12–18), leaving €1–2 is typical. Service charges are uncommon, so the total is what you owe; bread or snacks you didn't order may appear as a small cubierto charge in some tourist areas. Card terminals rarely offer a tip option, so if you want to tip after paying by card, leave a few coins on the table or saucer. In tourist hotspots like Barcelona or the Costa del Sol, staff are more used to tips, but the same rules apply.
Hotels
Hotel tipping is uncommon in Spain. Give a porter €1–2 per bag, and leave €1–2 per night for housekeeping if you're staying several nights. A concierge who books a hard-to-get table or flamenco show might get €5–10. At all-inclusive resorts in the Canaries or Balearics, small tips (€1–2) to bar staff or waiters you see every day are a nice touch.
Taxis & Transport
Spanish taxi drivers don't expect tips. Round up to the next euro (e.g. €13.60 → €14), or add €1–2 for help with luggage or a long airport run. Airport rides in Madrid and some other cities have fixed fares, which already include everything. With Uber, Cabify or FreeNow, in-app tips are possible but not expected.
Tours, spas, cafés & more
Tapas bars and cafés: leave the small coins from your change (€0.20–1) — standing at the bar, many locals leave nothing. Tour guides: €2–5 per person for a half-day tour, more for a private guide; free walking tours expect €10–15 per person. Hairdressers and spas: optional, round up or a few euros. Food delivery (Glovo, Just Eat): €1–2 if you like. Flamenco performers aren't tipped, but buying a drink is part of the experience. Hotel and beach-bar staff in resort areas appreciate small tips but don't expect them.
Common practice
Leaving coins or rounding up is common; around 5% for good restaurant service, 10% for excellent. Not tipping isn't considered rude.
Typical examples
A €20 tapas round: leave €1 or the coins in your change. A €35 sit-down dinner: €2–3. A €14 menú del día: €1. A €60 dinner for two in Madrid: €3–5 (about $4–6 or £3–4 — exchange rates fluctuate). A €13.60 taxi: pay €14–15.
Helpful note
"Propina" is the Spanish word for tip. Service charges are rare, but check the bill — and remember that IVA (VAT) is already included in menu prices.
Frequently asked questions
Do you tip in Spain?
Yes, but lightly and only if you want to. Locals leave coins at bars and around 5–10% at restaurants for good service.
How much should I tip in a Spanish restaurant?
Round up or leave about 5%; 10% is generous and reserved for excellent service. For a €14 menú del día, €1 is plenty.
Is it rude not to tip in Spain?
No. Many Spaniards don't tip for everyday meals or drinks, and staff don't take offence.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Spain?
Not necessarily. Round up to the nearest euro, or add €1–2 if the driver helped with luggage.