Tipping in Spain

Tipping in Spain is different than in North America. While many service industry professionals earn lower wages and depend on tips for a living in countries like the United States, their Spanish counterparts often earn comparatively higher salaries.

Bars and cafes

Very little e tipping exists or is expected.

Restaurants

Tipping is also not expected in the majority of sit-down restaurants, you can often just leave the change.

Tipping is more common in elegant restaurants or with larger groups. Most Spaniards still only leave about 5 percent of the total.

Taxis

Normally no tipping other than rounding up if you wish. Some Spaniards will tip their cab drivers more if he or she performed a special service, such as helping carry luggage from the cab itself into a hotel. Even in this case, though, the total tip never usually exceeds one euro.

Hotel staff

Tipping hotel staff in Spain is more common:

• Porters: Around 1 euro per bag
• Housekeeping: Between 2 and 5 euros per day
• Concierge: 5-10 euros for exceptional service
• Room service: 1 or 2 euros to the person who delivers the service
• Doorman: 1-2 euros if they help you with luggage or hail a cab

Spa and resort staff

Tipping is not expected, but you can leave around 10 percent of your total bill if you wish.

Tour guides

• Your guide will appreciate a tip. As a general rule, the smaller your group is, the more you should tip.
• For example, if you and your partner are taking a private guided tour and your guide provided excellent service, most people would tip them anywhere from 10 to 20 euros per day.
• Ona larger tour 5 euro per day is fine.

Blue Danube Holidays have a variety of guaranteed departure, escorted tours to Spain from Barcelona and Madrid, many include visits to the beautiful city of Toledo.

Planning a Spain Trip – View our Tours