Tipping in Barcelona, as in most of Spain, is not as common or expected as it is in some other countries like the United States. However, tipping is becoming more common these days, especially in tourist restaurants and high-end establishments. If you’re wondering what Barcelona tipping culture is like, I’m here to help you figure out the usual practices and decide when and what you should tip in Barcelona.
Barcelona Tipping Etiquette – Do You Tip in Barcelona?
In Barcelona, not tipping isn’t considered rude. Tipping is less ingrained in Spanish and Catalan culture compared to some other countries, and service staff do not rely on tips as a significant part of their income.
While tipping for good service is always appreciated, it is not mandatory or expected. The practice is more flexible and based on personal satisfaction rather than social obligation, so don’t feel like you have to tip in Barcelona – especially if you didn’t get great service.
Here are some general guidelines to bear in mind for tipping in Barcelona:
There is No Obligation to Tip in Barcelona
It’s perfectly acceptable to pay the bill without leaving a tip, and this will not be seen as rude or disrespectful. It is common for locals not to tip, it is only in areas where tourists often visit that tipping has become more usual because they bring their tipping culture with them, and feel like it is expected (like it is in the US).
However, there are several reasons why tipping in Barcelona is not obligatory, or even expected.
Fair Wages for Staff
According to the Economic Research Institute, the average pay for a Waiter/Waitress in Barcelona is €20,319 a year, which is around €5000 above the 2024 minimum wage of €15,876, so they don’t have to rely on getting tips in order to earn enough money to live on.
Unfortunately, that does mean that sometimes service isn’t as good as you might hope, but it usually means you can enjoy a meal in a restaurant without constantly being asked if everything is ok while you have a mouthful of food!
However, the cost of living in Barcelona (and Spain) has increased in recent years, so even some spare change will be appreciated if you want to leave it.
Service Charge May Be Included
In Barcelona and Spain as a whole, a service charge could be included in the bill, so tips are seen as a bonus rather than a necessity. Even if a meal for a couple of people doesn’t have a service charge, if you book a table for a large group, then a service charge will be added, usually around 10%.
Sometimes a voluntary tip is added to the bill automatically, but it is voluntary, and you can ask for it to be taken off. This is becoming more common, but I only leave it on if I feel like I’ve had particularly good service.
Tips for Good Service
If you get great service, then leaving a tip of 5-10% can be a nice way to show your appreciation. Many locals simply round up the bill or leave some small change if they are happy with the service. This is more of a gesture of appreciation rather than an expectation.
Tourist Restaurants
In more touristy areas, staff might be more accustomed to receiving tips and will appreciate it, but they still do not expect it as a rule. In some cases, wait staff may make a point of telling you that the service isn’t included, even mentioning it several times! For me that leaves an unpleasant impression, and would make me even less likely to leave a tip – remember, while that might be common in the US, it is not here!
I have noticed that when paying by card sometimes there is a step to add an option percentage of the bill for a tip. One restaurant I went to had the suggested amount as 20% which was very high (especially as the service wasn’t great), so don’t be afraid to change the amount to something you are comfortable with, even if it is zero.
This is far less likely to happen in traditional Catalan restaurants and smaller family-run places – another reason to seek out traditional food in Barcelona!
How to Tip in Barcelona
Cashless transactions are the norm in Barcelona these days. Almost everywhere takes card payments, and some places don’t even accept cash as a payment option!
If you do want to leave a tip in Barcelona, it is more common to leave some coins as you leave the table, or pop them in the tip jar by the till, so having some cash in your wallet is useful.
Occasionally, some card machines ask if you want to leave a tip, but usually the wait staff will just key in the exact amount of your bill for you to pay with card unless you specifically ask for another amount.
You can ask for a couple of euros to be added on, or round up the amount to pay with a card, but bear in mind that sometimes those extra card payments go to the restaurant owner and not the staff, so if I do want to leave a tip I always do it in cash.
Should You Tip in a Restaurant in Barcelona?
For cafes and restaurants in Barcelona, tipping is not mandatory, but if you get good service, leaving a small tip of around 5-10% is certainly appreciated but not obligatory.
You can also simply round up the bill to the nearest euro or leave some small change without needing to calculate any percentage.
Check the bill to see if a service charge is included; if it is then you don’t need to leave a tip. If it isn’t, you could leave a tip if you’ve had great service, but you don’t need to if you don’t want to.
Taxes are usually included in the price on the menu, so ignore any taxes like IVA that appear on the bill.
Restaurants in more touristy areas are more upfront about asking for tips, and you might find it stated on the bill that “service is not included”.
Remember that there is usually a supplement of 10-15% if you have a table on the terrace instead of inside the restaurant, so bear that in mind when calculating your tip, if you want to leave one.
Should You Tip in Bars in Barcelona?
No, tipping is usually not expected when you buy drinks at a bar, unless you are particularly impressed with the service or the elaborate cocktails that the bartender has created for you. If you want to tip, leaving some small change is sufficient.
Should You Tip Taxis in Barcelona?
Tipping taxi drivers isn’t common in Barcelona, although you can round up to the nearest euro or tip a couple of euros if you’ve had an exceptional experience or they have shared some great recommendations for your trip in Barcelona. You might also leave a small tip if the driver helps with luggage, but it isn’t expected.
Should You Tip Uber Drivers in Barcelona?
Similar to taxis, tipping Uber drivers isn’t expected, although you may be given the option to tip your driver in the Uber app if you have had exceptional service. In my experience using Uber in Barcelona, the Uber drivers hardly spoke a word to me, and one got lost which cost me more money anyway so I didn’t tip them.
Should You Tip in Hotels in Barcelona?
This largely depends on the kind of hotel you are staying in. Lower-budget hotels do not expect tips for any services, so tipping isn’t necessary.
On the other hand, high-end luxury hotels generally offer a more personalised and/or higher level of service, so you could show your appreciation with a tip. I personally have never tipped staff in a hotel in Barcelona or anywhere in Spain, but if you feel more comfortable leaving a tip then these are suggested amounts:
Porters: If a porter helps you with your luggage, a tip of €1-€2 per bag is a nice gesture.
Housekeeping: Leaving €1-€2 per day for the housekeeping staff would be welcomed, especially if you stay for multiple days. It’s best to leave the tip daily rather than at the end of your stay to ensure that different staff members receive it.
Concierge: If the concierge provides you with exceptional service, such as making hard-to-get reservations or providing extensive assistance during your stay, a tip of €5-€10 could be appropriate.
Room Service: If service charges are not included in the bill, you might consider tipping €1-€2 when room service is delivered but it isn’t the norm.
Valet Parking: If the hotel offers valet parking, a tip of €1-€2 when your car is brought to you is appreciated.
Should You Tip Tour Guides in Barcelona?
Tipping tour guides is a more common practice than any other service (apart from waiters).
While it isn’t necessary to tip tour guides in Barcelona (freelance tour guides will be paid by the company they are working for) i you feel like they did a great job then you can tip them in cash at the end of the tour. Around €10 per person for a tour is a reasonable amount.
If you are in a large group, tipping might be slightly lower per person, but collectively it will add up for the guide.
The only exception to this is if you join a free tour, as tips are how they earn a living, so you should be prepared to tip your free tour guide. In this case, the amount you tip will vary based on how happy you were with the tour and your budget.
A common practice is to tip around €10 per person if you enjoyed the tour. If the tour was exceptional, you might consider tipping more, such as €15-€20 per person, but if you are on a tighter budget, then even tipping €5 per person is still appreciated.
These are just guidelines, and the most important thing is to tip what you feel is fair based on the quality of the tour and your personal budget. The guides usually appreciate any tip, and I do try to tip guides but don’t feel like you are obligated to leave anything.
Should you Tip Food Delivery Drivers in Barcelona?
Tipping food delivery drivers in Barcelona is not mandatory, but it is a nice gesture to show appreciation for their service, especially if the delivery was fast or if the driver had to navigate difficult conditions like heavy rain for example.
Most food delivery apps will ask you if you want to leave a tip, in which case a small tip of €1-€2 is generally appreciated by delivery drivers, although not expected or mandatory.
I had an unpleasant experience when a delivery driver demanded a tip for a delivery from a nearby supermarket that I had ordered when I had food poisoning and couldn’t leave the house. I did not like being put on the spot like that and refused – if he had been more friendly perhaps I would have tipped, but certainly not with that pressure.
Final Thoughts on Tipping in Barcelona, Spain
In summary, while tipping is not a major part of the culture in Barcelona, small tips for good service are always appreciated. It’s always a nice gesture to round up the bill or leave a bit of change, especially in more touristy areas where service staff are more likely to provide a higher level of service and be more accustomed to receiving tips. However, you shouldn’t feel obliged to leave a tip, especially if the service wasn’t worth it!