How much do you tip in Barcelona? Is tipping expected in Spain?

How much do you tip in Barcelona?

Guide to tipping in Barcelona and Spain

How much should you tip in Barcelona?


When and where should you tip? What is the tipping etiquette and culture in Barcelona, Spain? Tipping is not expected in Barcelona. In Barcelona and in Spain generally speaking, you do not have to tip, unless you want to. If you feel like tipping, because you feel that you have been very well looked after, then by all means tip 5% for good service and 10% for excellent service, but generally tipping is not expectd and locals do not tip. Generally when paying by credit card one does not include a tip either.

Tips are usually left in cash if at all. Waiters do not work on tips alone, but receive a hourly wage. Spain has a minimum wage system called SMI (salario mínimo interprofesional) which as of 2020 - is 1050 euro a month.

Having said that, the cost of living is quite high in Spain - not everyone has a full time contract - and many jobs are physically demanding with long hours, so tips are welcomed. Tips also help people in the service and hospitality industry to feel appreciated, to take pride in their work and to inspire them to do a good job. 

But it's important to remember that Spain does not have the same tipping culture as the USA and other countries, where tipping is commonplace and expected. You only need tip in Spain when you feel like you want to leave a tip.

If you feel that you have been well looked after and appreciated as a client or guest then we think a tip of 5 to 10% of check amount is appropriate. Receiving a tip is very gratifying and feels like a pat on the back. The feeling of appreciation is as important as the amount if not more. If you feel like tipping then you will also know how much to tip instinctively - there are suggested amounts further down this page.


What are tips called in Spain?

A tip - una propina

A good tip - una buena propina

I want to leave a tip - quiro dar algo de propina

(The word propina only covers a monetary tip - it's not the same word for giving advice)


Is tipping expected in Spain?


Tipping is not expected as a general rule

What to tip in Barcelona and Spain?


There are no definite rules for topping in Barcelona or how much to tip in Barcelona.

There is no specific percentage for tips in Spain or Barcelona but many leave 5 to 10% if they feel well looked after

Waiters, guides and hotel staff earn a basic salary so they do not live from tips only.

This means that the price of being served in Spain -called the service charge - is considered to be part of the overall price of the meal and is included in the bill.

However, this does not mean that a percentage of the meal price is automatically passed on to Spanish waiters and kitchen staff as a tip or bonus, so if you want to reward staff with a special tip, then of course you are welcome to leave a tip.

In Barcelona and Spain local residents are not generally tippers - they don't usually tip anything.

If locals tip it is generally very little and definately less than 5%.

However, in our opinion, if you are happy with the service, with the attention you were given and with the quality of the meal in general, then a small tip is often greatly appreciated. 

How much do I tip in Spanish restaurants?


In Barcelona you can choose to tip or not at your own discretion. Our advice would be tip, if you feel like it. Tipping in restaurants in generally restricted to a few euros for a regular lunch or dinner. If you are in an upmarket and renowned restaurant, then a tip of say 10% is suitable, but again only if you feel very satisfied with the service and meal.

It is absolutely not necessary to leave a tip if you only have coffee or a snack.You might leave 10 cents or 15 cents, if you can't be bothered with keeping small coins, but a tip for a small meal is not expected or necessary

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Tipping in Barcelona taxis

Same guidelines apply. Tip if you feel like it, but it is not necessary to tip in a Barcelona taxi. But if you feel that the driver was friendly and efficient and maybe helpful - and didn't take you the long way round, then you might consider leaving a tip of 1 or 2 euro. 

Tipping in Barcelona hotels 

It is not customary to tip porters or reception staff, but a tip of a couple of euros for someone carrying your bags is always welcome. In general tips are included in prices, but kindly bear in mind that salaries are low and that most people working in the hospitality business like hotels are often paid very little and work hard, so if you feel that they enjoy their job and are doing their best to make sure your stay is a pleasant one, then tips from 2 to 5 euros are always a good idea. Also it is a nice gesture to leave a few coins for cleaning staff with a note of thanks

Tipping tour guides

If you book Barcelona tours, it is optional to tip guides. It depends on group size and the service, but generally a tip of anything from 5 to 10 euros from each person in your group is fine, but only if you really enjoyed the tour and if you felt that the guides did their best to look after you throughout the tour.

Tipping tour coach drivers

If you book Barcelona tours in large groups, then it is optional to tip drivers. It depends on group size and the service, but generally a tip of anything a couple of euros from your group is fine, but only if you enjoyed the tour and felt that the drivers did a good job and the bus was clean.

This page sponsored by DayTripsBarcelona.com

Andorra day tour from Barcelona - visit France and Pyrenees - Small groups

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Last Updated on Sunday, 14 January 2024 13:48
 

Tuesday, 03 December 2024


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