Should I take euros to Spain or use card?

One of the things that makes Spain so travel-friendly is the use of euros as the national currency. Credit cards, debit cards and cash are all accepted. Credit cards that waive international fees are your best bet for dodging some extra expenses to your wallet.



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The best way to get local currency (Euros) is to use a debit card, able to access the Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro networks, in an ATM (Interac cannot be used). Usually, the bank rate will be given for exchange rather than the local tourist rate.

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The takeaway on getting money in Spain Pay everything with your travel debit card and forget about hidden fees. Use your debit card to get most of your money after you arrive in Spain. You can get your first wad of cash from an ATM at your arrival airport.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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If you're by yourself, you can live on €1,000 per month in Spain. This includes room rent, groceries, health insurance, rare use of public transport, eating out a few times a month and shopping moderately.

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European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

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Best: Use a debit card at an ATM There are lots of options for converting your money to a foreign currency, but the easiest and most economical one is probably already in your wallet.

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You may want to investigate banks that do not charge ATM fees and/or banks that are found throughout Europe. The cheapest and easiest way-and the best exchange rates-to get your hands on some euros is to simply use your US based bank's ATM/debit card at the many ATMs located throughout Madrid.

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Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.

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6 Top Payment Methods in Spain
  1. Credit and Debit Cards. For online and ecommerce purchases, the top payment methods in Spain are credit and debit cards (sometimes referred to as 'charge cards' in Spain). ...
  2. Digital Wallets. ...
  3. Cash. ...
  4. Bank Transfers. ...
  5. SEPA Direct Debits. ...
  6. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)


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How to Avoid ATM Fees When Traveling Abroad
  1. Use an ATM in Your Bank's International Network. ...
  2. Use Your Debit Card to Get Cash Back at a Store. ...
  3. Don't Use the ATM's Conversion Offer. ...
  4. Use a Bank That Doesn't Charge International ATM Fees. ...
  5. Use a Bank That Refunds ATM Fees. ...
  6. Use a Credit Card Without a Foreign Transaction Fee.


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Deutsche Bank is the only major bank we found that charges no ATM fees in Spain. With regional banks, Bankinter will charge €0.50 while Banco Popular, Banco Pastor, Targobank and Caja Rural will charge €0.80. In contrast, BBVA charges the highest at €6 per withdrawal while ING's 12% fee can pile up very quickly.

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Under post-Brexit rules, Spanish border officials can ask travellers to show that they have 'economic resources' to cover the cost of their trip. This amounts to €100 for each day of their trip. They must also possess a minimum of €900 for their whole stay.

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What is the minimum amount required for Spain? Currently, the minimum amount is 100 euros per person per day, with a minimum of 900 euros or its legal equivalent in foreign currency (with effect from January 1, 2022). Why 100 euros per day?

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