Spain – a travel money guide
Our Top Tips for Spain
Before you travel, check the charges applied to your UK debit or credit card while you are abroad.
While in Spain watch out for local ATM fees. Fees are very common, varied and can be as high as €8. Check you understand what you are being charged before confirming the transaction.
Card acceptance for both Visa & Mastercard is very good in Spain, as is contactless payments, particularly in the main cities and tourist areas.
When you use your card, in ATMs, shops or restaurants in Spain you will be encouraged to pay in your own currency (£). Always choose to pay in Euros it will almost certainly be cheaper.
Wherever you go you are likely to need cash, particularly in smaller villages and towns where it becomes harder to pay less than €20 on a card.
Given the high and varied ATM fees it may be worth taking extra cash so you have no need to top up at a local ATM.
ATMs
Availability
ATMs (cajero automático) are widely available in tourist destinations so you can top up your cash during your trip.
UK Bank Charges for using Spanish ATMs
UK Banks will not charge you a fee for ATM withdrawals as Spain as it is in the EEA but may charge you a currency conversion fee. Always check your bank charges before you travel.
Spanish ATM charges
Many Spanish ATMs will charge a fee, which could be as high as €8. Fees can vary by location, by brand or by amount, so always check the amount and if you aren’t happy try another ATM.
Cards
Acceptance
In large cities and tourist destinations card acceptance is very good. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, but American Express will usually only work in large hotels and restaurants.
Fees
Fees are set by your UK Bank. Always check before you travel. See here for details (link)
Contactless
- Contactless is widely available and very popular in Spain.
- Contactless limit: €50 (£40)
- You will probably have to use your PIN when buying things over €50, so make sure you know your PIN before you travel.
- Mobile Payments (Apple Pay and Google Pay) are widely available.
Some things you might want to know when in Spain
- The main banks in Spain to look out for are Santander, BBVA and La Caixa.
- You can’t use your contactless card on the Madrid metro you have to use a loadable transit card called a Tarjeta Multi which is a contactless card that you load with cash. Here is a video that nicely shows how it all works click here
- You can’t use your contactless card on the Barcelona metro or on the bus (it is coming) but you can buy a contactless card called a lT Casual . The is a video explaining how it works and what to expect click here