Tipping in Spain
In Spain, tipping is expected for 1 of the 20 services we track. At a sit-down restaurant, round up or leave €1–5; up to 5–10% at upscale restaurants. Tipping is unusual for 1 service.
Tipping in Spain is modest and optional. Locals often leave only small change or round up the bill.
Tipping in Spain at a glance
- Sit-down restaurant
- Round up or leave €1–5; up to 5–10% at upscale restaurants
- Taxi
- Round up to nearest €1; ~5–10% for long airport runs
- Bar
- No tip at standing bars; €1–2 per cocktail at craft cocktail bars
- Housekeeping
- €1–2 per day
- Concierge
- €2 for routine bookings; €5–10 for difficult arrangements
- Tour guide
- €5–10 per person half-day; €10+ full-day; €10–15 for free walking tours
- Café
- No tip needed; leave loose change (€0.20–0.50) if you wish
- Tattoo artist
- Not customary; €10–20 or ~10% for great work
Tipping by service in Spain
| Service | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | Appreciated | Round up or leave €1–5; up to 5–10% at upscale restaurants |
| Counter / takeaway | Optional | Not expected; loose change if you wish |
| Café | Optional | No tip needed; leave loose change (€0.20–0.50) if you wish |
| Bar | Optional | No tip at standing bars; €1–2 per cocktail at craft cocktail bars |
| Housekeeping | Appreciated | €1–2 per day |
| Porter | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag |
| Concierge | Appreciated | €2 for routine bookings; €5–10 for difficult arrangements |
| Taxi | Optional | Round up to nearest €1; ~5–10% for long airport runs |
| Rideshare | Optional | Not expected; in-app tip optional |
| Food delivery | Appreciated | €1–2 in cash or via app |
| Grocery delivery | Appreciated | €2–5 cash, more for large orders |
| Hairdresser | Optional | Not customary; €1–3 if you wish |
| Spa | Optional | Not customary; ~10% or €5–10 at upscale spas |
| Tour guide | Expected | €5–10 per person half-day; €10+ full-day; €10–15 for free walking tours |
| Tattoo artist | Optional | Not customary; €10–20 or ~10% for great work |
| Valet | Appreciated | €2–5 per car retrieval |
| Airport baggage | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag if a porter assists |
| Busker | Optional | €0.50–2 in the case or hat |
| Movers | Optional | Not customary; €10–20 per mover for a tough job |
| Tradesperson | Unusual | Not customary; quoted invoice is final |
Compare one service across every country
Compare Spain to other countries
Tipping in Spain: common questions
Do you tip in Spain?
Yes, for some services. Of the 20 services we track in Spain, tipping is expected for 1 and appreciated for 8. Tipping in Spain is modest and optional. Locals often leave only small change or round up the bill.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in Spain?
Round up or leave €1–5; up to 5–10% at upscale restaurants. That works out to 0–10% of the bill. Spanish servers earn full salaries with benefits, so "la propina" is genuinely a bonus, not a wage subsidy.
How much do you tip a taxi driver in Spain?
Round up to nearest €1; ~5–10% for long airport runs. That works out to 0–10% of the bill. Spanish taxi drivers do not expect tips — locals say "quédese con el cambio" ("keep the change") when rounding up.
Do you tip hotel housekeeping in Spain?
€1–2 per day. Hotel housekeeping in Spain is not part of a deep tipping culture — Catalonia Hotels explicitly notes there is not a strong hotel-tipping norm.
Which services should you tip in Spain?
A tip is genuinely expected for 1 service: tour guide. For everything else it is optional or unusual.
Where is tipping not expected in Spain?
Tipping is unusual for 1 service: tradesperson. Leaving nothing is completely normal in these situations.
Should you tip in cash or by card in Spain?
Cash is preferred for 16 of the 20 services we track in Spain, because card tips do not always reach staff. Carrying small notes is worth it.