Should You Tip in Spain? Here’s When and How Much to Give

If you’re enjoying the culinary delights of paella and pintxo, you might wonder at the end of a meal or taxi ride: is tipping customary in Spain? Sometimes — unlike in the United States, tipping isn't mandatory in Spain, but there are occasions when it’s truly appreciated. Leaving the coins from your change can often serve as a tip, and there are times when you may want to give more. Just remember, it’s best to tip in cash rather than adding it to a credit card bill, as it might not reach the person who provided the good service.

For more insights on specific scenarios, whether at a restaurant, hotel, taxi, or bar, here’s a guide on when and how much to tip in Spain.

Summary of Tipping Practices in Spain

Situation	Should you tip?	How much?
Meal at a sit-down restaurant	Optional	Leave 10–15% for good service; make sure it isn’t already included.
Drinks at a café or bar	No	No tip if it’s just drinks; round up if you ordered food.
Taxis	No, with one exception	Give a few euros if they helped with your bags.
Tour guides	Yes	Depends on group size (see below)
Hotel bellhops	Yes	1-2 euros
Hotel housekeeping	Yes	1 euro per night
Concierge	Yes	5-10 euros if they made a booking
Hotel room service	Optional	1-2 euros
Masseuse or hairdresser	Yes	1-2 euros

Recommended Tips for Hotels in Spain

Image courtesy of Autograph Collection

Bellhops/Porters

It's customary to tip when a bellhop or porter assists you with your luggage. Consider giving one or two euros for each bag, with a maximum of five euros for several suitcases.

Housekeeping

Tip one euro for each night of your stay; if you receive exceptional service, consider giving more. (The staff responsible for cleaning your room often earn the least in a hotel, so if possible, be a bit more generous here.) Since you may not have the same person cleaning your room every day, it’s advisable to leave a tip daily for each cleaning rather than a single amount at the end.

Concierge

If the hotel concierge assists you by making restaurant reservations, arranging tour guides, or suggesting local activities, a gracias and a tip of five to 10 euros is generally expected.

Room Service

Although tipping for room service in Spain isn’t obligatory, offering one or two euros to the person who delivers your meal is always appreciated.

Tipping Practices at Restaurants and Bars in Spain

What’s the tipping etiquette after enjoying paella in Spain?

Image courtesy of CSP_martiapunts

Restaurants

While tipping servers in restaurants and cafés in Spain is appreciated, it isn’t compulsory. Americans may find it challenging to adjust to not leaving a tip, but locals typically don’t offer any extra gratuity in more casual dining spots.

In upscale dining establishments, a tip might already be included in your bill. Check for the phrase “Servicio incluido” on the receipt. If it appears, your gratuity is part of the total. If not, a tip of 10–15 percent is suitable for good service at higher-end restaurants.

Similar to the USA, paying with cash is preferred as it guarantees that your tip reaches the server; tips on credit card transactions sometimes don’t end up in their hands.

Cafés and Coffee Shops

There’s no need to tip for coffee at a café or coffee shop.

Bars

In Spain, tipping for a glass of wine or beer is generally unnecessary, especially if that’s your only order. However, if you also ordered food, feel free to leave some coins on the bar or round up to the nearest euro.

Tipping taxi drivers in Spain

When settling your taxi fare, simply rounding up to the next euro suffices as a tip. If the driver provides exceptional service, such as helping with your heavy luggage into the hotel or airport, consider adding a few euros to the fare.

For ridesharing services in Spain (like Cabify and BlaBlaCar), tipping isn’t mandatory. However, if you experience outstanding service, you can leave a tip through the app afterward.

How much to tip for a tour in Spain

A panoramic view from the top of Park Güell in Barcelona

Originally designed as a housing development, Park Güell was eventually transformed into a public park.

Photo by Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock

It's essential to tip your tour guide in Spain, as they depend on tips for their income. The amount you tip should reflect the quality of service, the duration of the tour, and the size of the group.

For private tours where you and your companions are the only clients, a tip of 10–15 euros is appropriate for a half-day tour, and 15–25 euros for a full day (total, not per person).

For paid public tours, your tip should vary based on group size. For small groups, consider tipping three to five euros per person. For larger groups, a tip of one euro is adequate.