Currency in Spain. Where to exchange money and how to pay | spain.info (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to pay for things in Spain? ›

In Spain you can pay in cash in almost all cases, and usually only Euros are accepted. In some cases, if the payment is made through a machine, it may be necessary to pay by card. The option to pay with credit and debit cards, mainly Visa and Mastercard, is very widespread.

Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Euros? The currency of Spain is the Euro (€). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Euros upon arrival.

Some places though (like tobacco shops or bus recharge spots) do not accept card payments for very small transactions (under €10) so it is advisable to carry some cash around. Beware that some merchants offer the option to charge your card in your domestic currency instead of euros at the point of sale.

Will my credit or debit card work in Spain? Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted networks in Spain. However, if you have a Discover card, you'll find it a bit harder to find a merchant or ATM which will accept your card – but, it's still considered a high acceptance country by Discover.

Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.

Some tourists feel like they must have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

Know your cards.

US debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo will work in any European ATM. Go "contactless." Get comfortable using contactless pay options.

How much you'll need for two weeks: €750-1000. Cost per day: €60-70 or USD $70-80. Sure, of course you want to see the big ones, Barcelona, Madrid, the Alhambra in Granada…

Where Can You Exchange Currency? Banks, credit unions, and online currency exchange bureaus and converters provide convenient and often inexpensive currency exchange services. Also, your own bank's overseas ATM or a foreign bank's are ways to get local currency with a credit card or ATM card once you have arrived.

Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.

How much money should I take to Spain for a week? ›

How much money to take to Spain varies enormously on what you plan to do, but you should bank on about £30-£40 per person per day (£200-£250 per week) of spending money to cover meals, trips out and all the many attractions Spain has to offer.

You'll find several currency exchange offices at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport; Atocha and Madrid - Chamartín - Clara Campoamor train stations; and the main bus stations – Avenida de América, Méndez Álvaro and Moncloa. There are also a number of bureaux de change in central Madrid, especially in Puerta del Sol.

Research shows that in most cases you can save by opting to spend in the local currency. For example, that would mean choosing euros in Spain or dollars in the US. When you choose to pay in the currency of the region or country you're visiting, Visa or Mastercard will set the exchange rate.

Yes, cards issued by U.S. Bank can be used in most foreign countries.

Keep your cash out of sight by wearing a money belt

It's the best way to carry valuable documents and money while travelling. Look out for money belts that look just like a regular belt – the last thing you want to do is make it very obvious that you're a tourist!

Credit and debit cards are the most used payment methods in Spain. Compared to many other European countries, Spain has a high level of credit card use with 45% of payment cards issued being credit cards. Visa has the biggest share of the Spain card market (for both credit and debit cards) at nearly 57%.

Using your Currensea travel debit card in Spain will remove bank fees and give you a better exchange rate than the high street, challenger banks, and prepaid travel card providers.