Good to know
Good to Know
- Cards are widely accepted in Spain, especially in big cities and tourist areas, although there are some shops, restaurants and bars where cash is preferred.
- A number of clubs, bars and restaurants allow you to pay by card, however not everywhere will, so be sure to have a combination of cash and card.
- Euronet ATMs are known as an ATM network operator in Spain and across Europe. They can be conveniently found in popular cities and near tourist sites. However, they are highly recommended to avoid as much as possible because they charge a cash withdrawal fee and poor exchange rates, including something called a dynamic currency conversion (DCC).
- Cash is the best way to leave tips.
- In tourist areas, particularly in major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, tipping practices have evolved slightly due to international influence. Service staff in these regions may have grown more accustomed to receiving tips from foreign visitors. This likely applies to Magaluf as a major tourist destination.
ATM Access
- Availability
- ATMs are usually located in airports, on high streets and in shopping centres, as well as outside bank branches. You won't have any difficulty finding an ATM in towns and cities in Spain. They're usually located in airports, on high streets and in shopping centres, as well as outside bank branches.
Fees
- Bank ATM Fees
- If you use an ATM at a bank, like Santander or Caixa, there shouldn't be any fees, there may be fees at stand alone cashpoints, like the ones in service stations or amusement arcades, but the machine will warn you first.
- Euronet Warning
- Euronet ATMs are common in Spanish tourist areas and typically charge a fee for cash withdrawals. The exact fee is shown on screen before you confirm.
- Magaluf Specific
- You will find a number of ATMs in Magaluf, but before you use them, be sure to check with your bank how much they will charge you to withdraw, as most ATMs will charge you a transaction fee.
- Currency Conversion Trap
- In Spain, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in EUR). If you 'Accept' – ATM converts your money at ATM's set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also. If you 'Decline' – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.). So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Spain, select 'Decline/Without' Conversion or 'Charge in EUR'.
Operator Fees Range
- Detail
- ATM fees in Spain range from €0.50 at Bankinter to €6 at BBVA. While many other banks do not publish their fee schedules, the standard ATM fee in Spain is €3 to €5 per transaction.
- Currency Local
- EUR
- Amount Local Low
- 0.5
- Amount Local High
- 6
Card Compatibility
- Four Digit Pin
- Bank cards issued in Spain, like most other countries in Europe, have 4 digit PINs. That means that longer 5 or 6 digit PINs issued elsewhere in the world don't usually work in Spanish ATMs. If you have a chip and PIN card with a 4 digit PIN, like those issued elsewhere in Europe, the UK or Australia, you shouldn't have any problem.
- Chip Technology
- Spain uses chip-and-PIN technology almost exclusively for security. Magnetic strip-only cards may not be accepted at many terminals.
Tipping Norms
- Taxis
- No tip is expected, but locals usually just round up to the nearest euro. Add a euro or two for help with bags or extra friendly service.
- Bars Standing
- Sitting at a bar and ordering a drink? It is not customary in Spain to tip the bartender. But again, if you like the bartender and you have a bit of extra change after paying for your drink, then leave a few coins.
- Cash Preferred
- If you're paying by card, it is better to tip in cash – otherwise, it might not reach your server. Always tip in cash if you want to be sure it reaches the person who served you.
- General Culture
- Tipping is not customary or obligatory in Spain the way it is in countries like the United States. However, small tips are appreciated for good service, particularly in restaurants, taxis, and hotels.
Restaurants
- Casual Dining
- At casual eateries or cafés, locals often just round up the bill or leave a few coins. There might be a tips jar on the counter where you can drop €1 or loose change.
- Mid To Upscale
- At mid-range or upscale restaurants, a 5-10% tip is a nice touch for good service – but not expected. You can also round up the bill – for example, if the check comes to €47, then pay €50.
- Service Included Check
- If you see "servicio incluido" on your bill, it means service is included and there is zero expectation for you or your party to tip.
Card Acceptance
- Minimum Spend Law
- €30
Small Merchants
- Detail
- Some smaller shops, taxis, or bars may have a minimum spend (commonly €5-10) for card transactions, or may only accept Spanish-issued cards.
- Status
- Cash preferred
Visa Mastercard
- Detail
- Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere, including supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and ATMs. Contactless, mobile, and online payments are now widely accepted and even preferred in many establishments.
- Status
- Widely accepted
American Express
- Detail
- American Express is accepted in larger retailers, hotels, and upscale establishments, but less common than Visa or MasterCard.
- Status
- limited
Banking
- Digital Banking
- Most Spanish banks offer online and app-based services with English interfaces.
- Setup For Nomads
- Non-residents: Open an account at a Spanish bank (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, ING Spain) by presenting passport, proof of address (rental contract accepted), and proof of income. Some banks require social security number (NIE) registration first, which involves going to the nearest Extranjería office.
- Documentation Needed
- Valid passport, proof of address in Magaluf/Spain, proof of income or funds (recent bank statement), contact details.
- Residency Requirement
- Full residency status (Empadronamiento registration) simplifies the process. Many banks now accept EU/non-EU nationals without full residency, though processes vary by institution.
- Account Opening Timeframe
- Typically 1-2 weeks once documents are submitted.
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.atmfeesaver.com
- 3.immoabroad.com
- 4.chase.com
- 5.wise.com
- 6.agoda.com
- 7.radicalstorage.com
- 8.tripadvisor.com
- 9.foreverbarcelona.com
- 10.mappingspain.com
- 11.trafalgar.com
- 12.mylittleworldoftravelling.com
- 13.afar.com
- 14.bkwinetours.com
- 15.marbelladreamvillas.com
- 16.monito.com
- 17.partyhardtravel.com
- 18.partyhardtravel.com
- 19.xe.com
- 20.xe.com
- 21.mallorca.com
- 22.mallorca.com
- 23.mallorca-select.com
- 24.palmaweekly.com
- 25.yes-mallorca-property.com
- 26.luxuryonmallorca.com
- 27.internationalliving.com
- 28.palmaweekly.com
- 29.mallorca-select.com
More About Magaluf
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.