Good to know
Good to Know
- Barcelona is nearly cashless, but cash is still needed for some traditional tapas bars, street vendors, flea markets, and tipping. Always carry small euro bills and coins.
- When withdrawing cash at ATMs, always select EUR (not your home currency) when prompted to avoid poor exchange rates and extra DCC fees.
- Visa/Mastercard work everywhere; American Express is less reliable in small shops and bars.
- Most ATMs charge fees (€3-7 for non-EU cardholders). Deutsche Bank ATMs are fee-free; Bankinter charges €0.50.
- Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work at the vast majority of terminals and are widely used.
- Tipping in Barcelona is relaxed and optional—rounding up or leaving small coins is perfectly acceptable and common among locals.
- Tap your card on metro, at tapas bars, and in Boqueria market stalls; no PIN needed for small transactions.
- Avoid Euronet ATMs in tourist areas—they charge fees and offer poor exchange rates.
Banks To Avoid
BBVA
- Typical Fee
- €6.00
Santander
- Typical Fee
- €4.00
Euronet ATMs
- Note
- Typically charge fees and offer poor exchange rates; avoid when possible
Fee Free Or Low Options
Free (no ATM fees charged)
- Bank
- Deutsche Bank
Bankinter
- Visa fee
- €0.50
Banco Popular, Banco Pastor, Targobank, Caja Rural
- Visa fee
- €0.80
Card Acceptance
- General
- Cards are widely accepted throughout Barcelona, especially Visa and Mastercard. Contactless payments via digital wallets work at the majority of terminals.
Card Types
Visa and Mastercard
- Status
- widely accepted everywhere
American Express (Amex)
- Status
- accepted at hotels and larger restaurants, less reliable at small bars and shops
Contactless (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Status
- works at vast majority of terminals
Where Accepted
- Metro, buses, and trams
- Major attractions (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló)
- Supermarkets and shops
- Most restaurants and mid-to-upscale dining venues
- Taxis and ride-hailing services
- La Boqueria market (most stalls now accept cards)
Account Types
Resident Account
- Benefits
- Lower fees, wider services, higher interest rates
- Location
- Must visit branch in person or authorize via notarized power of attorney
- Eligibility
- Must reside in Spain for 183+ days per year
Requirements
- Valid passport or EU ID
- NIE (Foreigner Identity Number)
- Proof of Spanish address (utility bill, rental contract)
- Proof of income
Non Resident Account
- Benefits
- Can open without NIE; flexible for short-term
- Location
- Must visit branch in person (online-only completion not available for non-residents)
- Drawbacks
- Higher maintenance fees; limited credit/overdraft options
- Eligibility
- For temporary stays or less than 183 days per year
Requirements
- Valid passport or EU ID
- Certificate of non-residence (certificado de no residencia) - typically €15 from police station, 10 days to obtain
Popular Banks Barcelona
ING Bank
- Good For
- Digital nomads and short-term residents
- Strengths
- No monthly maintenance fees if €600/month minimum deposit; English-speaking staff; 3 physical Barcelona branches; Bizum compatibility
CaixaBank
- Drawbacks
- Known for high maintenance fees, aggressive product upselling, sometimes requires minimum deposits or insurance purchases from non-residents
- Strengths
- Largest branch network in Catalonia; originally founded in Barcelona
Banco Santander
- Drawbacks
- Perceived as 'Madrid bank' in Catalonia; primarily targets residents; website not in English
- Strengths
- Popular with foreigners; nationwide reach
Most bank ATMs in Barcelona charge withdrawal fees for foreign cardholders, ranging from €0 to €7 per transaction.
Fee Ranges
- Typical High
- €7.00
- EU Cardholders
- €2.90
- Non EU Cardholders
- €3.00
Dcc Warning
EU law requires ATMs allow you to opt out of DCC and proceed with a standard ATM transaction. Always select 'Decline' or 'Without Conversion' when asked.
ATM Locations
ATMs are abundant in Barcelona. CaixaBank (headquartered in Barcelona) has ATMs everywhere. Look for signs reading 'cajero automático' or 'cajero' (Spanish) and 'caixer' (Catalan).
Fee Avoiding Strategy
Decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATM and let your bank/card handle the conversion. Select EUR (not your home currency) when prompted.
Tipping Norms
- General Rule
- Tipping is not mandatory or expected in Barcelona. It is appreciated for good service but service staff do not depend on tips for livelihood, as they earn regular wages.
- Tipping Method
- Always tip in cash (euros). Card tips may go into shared pools or be delayed. Cash ensures the tip reaches the server directly.
- Note
- Unlike the US, tipping is not part of the local culture and is viewed as a gesture of appreciation rather than an obligation. Locals often tip less than tourists or not at all, and there is no word for 'tip' in Catalan—Spanish word 'propina' is used.
Taxis
- Extra Service
- €1-2 additional for help with luggage or exceptional service.
- Standard Ride
- Round up fare to nearest euro.
Hotels
- Concierge
- €5-10 for special arrangements or exceptional assistance.
- Room Service
- €1.00
- Bellhop Luggage
- €1.00
- Housekeeping Per Day
- €1.00
Restaurants
- Casual Dining
- Round up the bill or leave small change. No set percentage expected.
- Upscale Fine Dining
- 5-10% (or 10-15%) for exceptional service if not included in bill.
- Mid Range Restaurants
- 5-10% for good service, but not mandatory. Rounding up is sufficient.
- Note
- Tipping is optional. You won't be considered rude if you don't tip. Avoid large percentages as they may seem showy.
Cafes And Bars
- Bar Seated Service
- €1-2 if seated and receiving table service.
- Bar Standing Service
- No tip expected when ordering at counter.
- Coffee Or Quick Meal
- Rounding up the bill is sufficient. €1-2 euros appreciated but not expected.
Tours And Guides
- Group Tours
- €1.00
€1-2 per person
- Private Guides Full Day
- €40
- Private Guides Half Day
- €20
Timing
Non-resident certificate must be provided to bank within 15 days of account opening
Language Note
Many operations can be done via app, but in-branch communication often requires Spanish
Opening Process
- Tip
- Bring Spanish-speaking friend/relative; many staff speak limited English
- Step 1
- Prepare documents (passport, proof of address, income documentation, non-resident certificate if applicable)
- Step 2
- Visit branch in person (or authorize via notarized power of attorney)
- Step 3
- Complete majority of process online or at branch
- Step 4
- Finalize at branch office
- Branch Hours
- Typically Monday–Friday, 9am–2pm
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.wise.com
- 2.chase.com
- 3.community.ricksteves.com
- 4.atmfeesaver.com
- 5.tripadvisor.com
- 6.triptipedia.com
- 7.monito.com
- 8.travelcurrencyguide.com
- 9.bcn.travel
- 10.bcn.travel
- 11.foreverbarcelona.com
- 12.celebritycruises.com
- 13.radicalstorage.com
- 14.barcatrips.com
- 15.barcelonapanorama.com
- 16.trafalgar.com
- 17.barcelonapanorama.com
- 18.tradingeconomics.com
- 19.liveandinvestoverseas.com
- 20.barcelonaexpatlife.com
- 21.movingtospain.com
- 22.healthinsuranceforspanishvisas.com
- 23.heniam.es
- 24.barcelonaexpatlife.com
- 25.bancsabadell.com
- 26.lusalegal.es
- 27.pocketbarcelona.com
- 28.immigrationspain.es
- 29.suitelife.com
- 30.barcelona.cat
- 31.mtfxgroup.com
More About Barcelona
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.