How much to tip a waiter in Spain?
Tipping in Spain is minimal; locals often just leave small change.
Tipping a waiter in Spain: the local custom
When dining out in Spain, the guidance for restaurant service is: round up to 5-10%. Tipping is not customary here, so there is no need to add a US-style percentage.
What to do instead
Rather than a percentage tip, simply pay the exact amount. Friendly thanks and a return visit are valued more than cash here. If you received truly exceptional service and want to leave something, a small amount in euro (EUR) is a kind gesture, never an obligation.
Spain vs the US
In the US, a waiter is typically tipped 18%. In Spain, the custom is round up to 5-10% — so if you are visiting from the US, expect to tip little or nothing. For the full picture across every venue, see the Spain tipping guide.
- Tipping in Spain — restaurants, taxis, hotels and bars
- How much to tip a waiter — the US standard and calculator
- Compare tipping in all 53 countries
Reviewed 2026-08-10. Customs vary by venue and region; check the bill before tipping.