How to deal with money in Spain as a Tourist

Question:

For anyone who’s visited Spain recently – is it better to bring euros from home, or withdraw cash from ATMs in Spain and pay the fee?
(I know lots of places accept cards, but small businesses still prefer cash – or only take cash.)

Answer:

The best choice depends on your home country, bank/card provider, and fees or exchange rates — but here’s a helpful breakdown for travelers:

Option 1: Bring Euros from Home

• Pros:
  • Clear exchange rate and no surprise fees.
  • Convenient for arrival costs (taxis, tips, cafés).
  • Essential in rural or cash-only spots.
• Cons:
  • Exchange rates at home are often worse than in Spain.
  • Carrying lots of cash has security risks.
  • Not always the cheapest option if you have a travel-friendly card.

Option 2: Withdraw Cash in Spain

• Pros:
  • Often better rates, especially with cards like:
    • Wise
    • Revolut
    • Monzo / Starling (UK)
    • Charles Schwab / Capital One (US)
    • N26 / Bunq (EU)
  • Withdraw only what you need = safer.
• Cons:
  • Most ATMs in Spain charge a fee (€3–€5).
  • Your home bank might also add fees.
  • Important: Always choose to be charged in euros, never your home currency (to avoid poor conversion rates).

Card Payments in Spain

• Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.
• Contactless works almost everywhere.
• However: small shops, taxis, and rural places may only take cash.

Best Travel Strategy

• Bring a small amount of euros with you (e.g. €50–100).
• Use a low-fee travel card to withdraw cash in Spain.
• Always select “charge me in euros” at the ATM or card reader.

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Last Modified on May 16th, 2025
Created on May 16th, 2025
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