Will my debit card work in Spain?

Debit cards with a chip or pin are accepted in most Spanish stores and some stores also offer contactless payments for sales up to €20. You will usually receive a Visa or MasterCard debit card when you open a bank account in Spain although you may need to pay a monthly or annual maintenance fee.



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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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In Spain you can pay in cash in almost all cases, and usually only Euros are accepted. In some cases, if the payment is made through a machine, it may be necessary to pay by card. The option to pay with credit and debit cards, mainly Visa and Mastercard, is very widespread.

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These fees can be avoided by choosing a bank account that doesn't charge fees and reimburses out-of-network ATM fees and by always withdrawing local currency from ATMs. Account holders can also ask their home bank if there are partner branches or in-network ATMs in the destination country or countries.

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You could opt for a low cost travel debit card which comes with a linked account to hold a selection of currencies - like the Wise debit card. Or you might prefer a prepaid travel money card like the Bluebird American Express debit card which can be linked to a fee free account.

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Foreign transaction fees are charged by your bank for currency conversion. If your bank charges foreign transaction fees — and many do — you'll pay a percentage of the total withdrawal amount, usually 1% to 3%, for using your card at a foreign ATM (or anywhere else abroad).

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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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For budget travelers, you can expect to spend around $50 to $70 per day in Spain, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend around $100 to $150 per day. It's important to plan ahead and research activities and costs to create a budget that works for you.

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Bottom Line: The Best Debit Cards for International Travel in 2023
  • Revolut: Best overall US debit card for international travel.
  • Chime: US digital account without foreign transaction fees.
  • Wise: Multi-currency account with most currency options.
  • Capital One 360: Best US bank for international transactions.


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A vacation to Spain for one week usually costs around €1,050 for one person. So, a trip to Spain for two people costs around €2,101 for one week. A trip for two weeks for two people costs €4,202 in Spain.

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