Tipping in Spain: The Spain Tipping Guide
Tipping expectedHow much to tip in Spain
Notes by Service
Restaurant
Hotel / Housekeeping
In Spain tip Good Service at high-end hotels
Taxi / Rideshare
Round up the fare; 5–10% is generous.
Spa & Massage
Bar
Round up per drink.
Hairdresser / Barber
A small tip is appreciated.
Tour Guide
Tip for good service.
Food Delivery
€1 is appreciated.
About Tipping in Spain
Overview
Tipping in Spain is modest and informal — rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is the norm rather than calculating a percentage. At local bars and cafés, leaving the small change from your drink is a perfectly natural gesture; at upscale tourist-facing restaurants, 5–10% is more appropriate.
When to tip
Tip at sit-down restaurants in tourist areas when service was good, with taxi drivers (rounding up), and in hotels. At tapas bars where you order at the counter, leaving small change is entirely optional. Hairdressers appreciate €2–3 for a good cut.
How to tip
Leave cash on the bar or table — this is more personal and more Spanish in style than adding a tip on a card terminal. For taxis, round up the meter to the nearest euro. At restaurants, handing the waiter a round number when paying the bill is completely natural.
Cultural context
Spain's tipping culture is shaped by a "propina" tradition that has always been informal — small amounts given as genuine thanks, not structured percentages. In Barcelona's tourist centre and Madrid's upscale restaurants, tipping expectations have risen as international visitors have made 10–15% more common. In local neighbourhood bars and traditional restaurants, that register feels out of place — locals tip coins, and matching that modesty is a sign of cultural respect.