Tipping in Barcelona: A guide to Restaurant Tipping Etiquette

Tipping in Barcelona: A guide to Restaurant Tipping Etiquette

Headed to Spain? Unsure of the local tipping culture? Fear not! I’ve done this roundabout enough times for the both of us, and am confident in my understanding of Spanish tipping etiquette.

If you’ve traveled anywhere in western Europe before, then the tipping trends are relatively easy to pick up on. Barcelona’s tipping systems are very similar to that of Lisbon, Rome and Paris.

Tipping in Barcelona

Like most European countries, service workers in Barcelona are paid a monthly salary and do not have to rely on receiving tips to survive. The average restaurant workers in Barcelona makes a minimum of €900 a month, as of stats released in 2019.

This amount is significantly higher than workers in neighboring Portugal receive per month, but it is important to note that the cost of living in Spain is also significantly higher than elsewhere in Iberia.

Barcelona – by Enes – Unsplash

For this reason, restaurant workers in Barcelona are always open to their hard work and enjoyable service being acknowledged and rewarded. Due to the current economic climate, it’s usually only tourists who practice this act while in Barcelona. You will almost never find a local tipping at a restaurant they eat at on a regular basis.

Restaurants in Barcelona

The ever increasing tourism scene has seen a change in the subtle ways through which Barcelona restaurant workers and patrons communicate. Tipping has become a way in which one is able to almost rate the quality of the experience they received.

For good service, 5% is usually added. For excellent, above average service, one could add 10% of the bill. In fine dining or upmarket restaurants, it is far more common for diners to leave their change behind instead of dealing with coins and technicalities after a meal.

by Louis Hansel – Unsplash

In Barcelona, your tips will be greatly appreciated. However, at self-service or takeaway joints tipping is generally not done at all. You’ll occasionally find small eateries and cafes in Barcelona with tip jars at their cash registers, but it’s by no means an industry standard.

When you encounter one, consider dropping your loose change as a small courtesy to all of the staff.

In Barcelona, there is no need to tip when ordering coffee or purchasing goods from a bakery.

While in Barcelona, try to keep in mind that tipping should always be left in cash or not at all. Most establishments aren’t able to separate credit card payments and so the extra charge usually won’t reach the waiter in question.

by Camille Chen – Unsplash

Bars in Barcelona

Similarly, tipping in bars in Barcelona is also not really done. If you’re buying individual beverage after individual beverage, then simply pay for your drinks and move along.

If you’re seated in a bar with a big group, and you’re being taken care of by one of the bar staff (and not getting up to get your own drinks) then leaving a tip come the end of the evening would be a kind gesture.

Spain – by Mary Rebecca Elliott – Unsplash

When it comes to pubs in Barcelona, treat these spaces as you would any other dining spot in the city! If you would usually tip for food, then tip at the pub.

If you’re out with one other person, and the two of you have one or two drinks and some bar snacks, it’s common to leave behind a few cents or the coins you don’t feel like carrying around with you.

Other Tipping Info for Barcelona

Catching a taxi in Barcelona is another interesting experience to try and navigate when it comes to showing your appreciation.

By local standards, most people tip just 20 or 30 cents on each trip, either rounding up to the nearest 50c or to the nearest euro.

That being said, if you feel that you are being cheated out of a fair rate for the distance you are covering, then said taxi driver probably doesn’t deserve your tips.

Barcelona – by Michael Bomke – Unsplash

If you are in a position to be booking private drivers during your time in Barcelona, then most substantial tipping is actually expected. For airport transfers, €10 is the standard tip amount after your full fare.

If a driver is escorting you all over the city for a full day, then slightly more would be appropriate as a thank you!

As for all other services while in Barcelona, the simple rule of “tip when it feels right’ should apply. In Barcelona, great service is awarded and mediocre service tolerated.

by Aw Creative – Unsplash

Getting your hair done or sitting through a tattoo is usually never tipped by locals, but international visitors who do always end up making said employees day.

Similarly, bellmen, cleaners and porters in hotels won’t be offended if you don’t tip them, but if you seek out their services specifically then a spare €1 here and there will be much appreciated.