Travel · Europe
🇪🇸Spain
Euro and widely card-friendly — but tapas bars and markets often want cash.
Spain uses the Euro and is broadly card-friendly, especially in cities. Zero-forex cards are ideal. The main costs to watch are the 2–3% forex fee charged by standard bank cards and occasional DCC at tourist-heavy venues in Barcelona and Madrid.
Best cards for Spain
ATM guide
ATMs widely available. Bankia (now CaixaBank), BBVA, and Santander ATMs work with foreign cards. Some charge €2–3 per foreign withdrawal. Euronet ATMs appear in tourist areas — avoid them. CaixaBank in La Caixa branches is generally reliable with transparent fees.
Card acceptance
Very good in cities. Contactless standard. Smaller bars, local restaurants, and markets in smaller towns often prefer or require cash. Barcelona and Madrid are near-cashless; rural Spain is more cash-dependent.
Money tips for Spain
Pay in EUR always — DCC is common at Barcelona tourist sites.
CaixaBank ATMs are the most traveller-friendly for foreign cards.
Tapas culture: many bars add a 10–15% service charge automatically — check before tipping extra.
Mercadona supermarkets accept card for any amount — useful for small purchases without needing cash.
Seville, Granada, and smaller Andalusian towns are more cash-reliant than Madrid or Barcelona.
Cards and options to avoid
Euronet ATMs — poor conversion rates
Frequently asked questions
Cash in Spain
Tapas bars, local markets, and small towns benefit from having €50–100 cash. Cities are largely card-friendly.
Local currency
Wise Card
Mid-market rate with transparent fees — one of the lowest true costs for spending abroad.