How to Tip in Spain

Tipping in Spain: What You Need to Know.

Tipping is a bit like sex; every country does it slightly differently, and everyone thinks they’re good at it.

So, you’ve polished off your meal, battled for the bill, and now you’re left wondering: Do I need to tip? And if so, how much? It’s easy to feel uneasy about tipping in a foreign country.

Let’s set the record straight: tipping in Spain isn’t like in the US, the UK, or other countries. Waiters here should, in theory, be earning a decent wage by local standards, so there’s no obligation to leave a tip, and it’s not expected in bars. However, in restaurants, it is good etiquette to leave a tip if you’ve had a good meal. It’s all down to you and your experience. It’s never demanded or expected; it’s up to the customer to decide with their group if they leave a tip and, if so, how much.

How Much to Tip in Spain

A general guideline for a good restaurant is around 10%. If the food and service were top-notch, feel free to leave a little extra, but it’s not a requirement.

Beware of Some Restaurants

In some tourist-packed areas, some restaurants – often foreign-operated – are trying to guilt-trip customers into tipping by adding “suggested” tips to the bill. Yes, we’re talking about those bills with a 0% tip and a sad face next to it, followed by a 10% tip with a happy face. Total tourist trap alert. This kind of thing is definitely not the norm in Spain and is considered in bad taste, so don’t fall for it.

“Tavernas”: Keep It Old-School

In traditional rustic Spanish taverns, where the portions are generous, tipping is certainly not expected, but it’s always appreciated. Locals might leave some small change, perhaps rounding up the bill by a few euros if the food and service were good. Think of it as a little “thank you” rather than a mandatory add-on.

Top Tip: Leave €2 to €4 if the service was good, and you’ll be remembered as a respectful customer without coming across as flashy.

Bars: Keep It Casual

Spanish bar culture is unlike any other. You’ll find locals standing at the counter, casually enjoying their drinks or tapas with friends.

In these bustling spots, tipping is minimal or non-existent, especially for small orders. If you’re just grabbing a coffee or a caña (small beer), don’t worry about tipping at all. But, if you’ve been snacking on tapas and racking up a bill, it’s a nice touch to leave some spare change.

Top Tip: For a few drinks or light snacks, leaving some loose change (about 5-10% of the bill) will be appreciated but not expected.

Menu del Día Restaurants: Value for Money, Value for Tip?

Spain’s famous set lunch menu (“menu del dia”) offers great value, often including a starter, a main, a dessert, and a drink for €10 to €20, although heartier, more expensive options are often available in traditional village spots. These budget-friendly places aren’t expecting big tips; locals typically leave a euro or two, even if the bill is as low as €10. A small tip here shows that you’re satisfied with the service but won’t break the bank. Just remember, don’t feel pressured to tip a percentage like you would in high-end places.

Top Tip: Round up the bill, especially if you’re dining on a budget menu. If your menu del día costs €12, throwing in €1 or €2 will keep things friendly.

Upmarket Restaurants: Time to Splash Out, If It’s Good

Now, when you’re dining at a high-end restaurant, the rules change.

Spaniards often leave generous tips in up-market, traditional Spanish establishments. While tipping is generally more relaxed in tourist restaurants and casual settings like bars or cafés, the situation changes in high-end, traditional high-end restaurants and traditional medium-range restaurants that Spaniards consider to serve ‘good food’. Think of matured steaks, freshly-made pathés, traditional melt-in-your-mouth Spanish hams and cheeses, fine wines, and fresh oysters and prawns. It’s very hard to find these places in tourist spots (almost impossible), but if you do end up in one, the tipping rules are different.  

If you’ve been treated to exceptional food and service, leaving around 10% of the total bill is the standard way to show appreciation. The staff in these places are more likely to expect tips and anything less than 10% could be seen as a little stingy.

Top Tip: In fancy spots, tipping is closer to international norms. If you’ve spent €300 on a dinner, consider leaving at least €20-€30 to reflect the higher standard of food and service.

What Not to Do

Don’t Overdo It in Casual Places:

Flashing big tips in smaller or more casual places can make you look out of touch and crass. Keep it simple.

Avoid Leaving Nothing in Upscale Restaurants:

In high-end places, it’s best not to skip tipping entirely unless the service was genuinely poor. A little goes a long way in maintaining good relations with the staff.

Card Payments: Can You Tip?

Paying by card but short on cash? No worries. You can add the tip directly to your bill, and the staff will receive it. It’s good to check with your waiter or waitress, as you never know, it’s not technically illegal for owners to keep the tips, but they rarely, if ever, do.

In a normal bar or restaurant, if your meal comes to €48, just tell them to round it up to €50, and the extra couple of euros should go to your server. 

Learn more about tipping with your card in Spain.

Asking for a Doggy Bag in Spanish.

And here’s a bonus tip: if you can’t finish your meal, don’t be shy about asking for a doggy bag; yes, you can take those leftovers home. Just point at the food and ask: “Nos lo puede poner para llevar por favor? Está muy bueno.”

Navigating tipping abroad can be tricky, but rest assured you’re not the only one. Just go with your gut.

Happy eating.