Tipping in Spain & the Canary Islands (2026): How Much to Tip

The short answer

Tipping in Spain is not mandatory. Service is included in the price and staff are paid a wage, so nobody expects American-style 15–20% tips.

That said, leaving something for good service is common and always appreciated. As a rule of thumb: 5–10% in restaurants if you enjoyed the service, and round up or leave the small change in bars and cafés.

How much to tip in each situation

These are customs, not rules. Nobody will mind if you don't tip for a coffee, but in a restaurant with great service a tip is noticed and valued.

Tipping in the Canary Islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

Tipping in the Canaries follows the same customs as mainland Spain. In the tourist areas of Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, staff serve many British, Irish, German and Scandinavian visitors every day, so tipping 5–10% in restaurants and on terraces is quite common there.

The problem: nobody carries cash anymore

Most visitors pay by card or phone. The catch is that card machines in Spain usually don't offer a tip option. If you have no coins, there's no easy way to leave one.

So many guests who would happily tip end up saying *"sorry, no cash"*, and the staff miss out on money the guest actually wanted to give.

If you run a bar or restaurant

The simplest fix is a tipping QR code on the table, at the bar or on the receipt:

1. The guest scans the QR code with their phone camera
2. They choose the waiter or the team they want to reward
3. They tip with Apple Pay or Google Pay in a few seconds

The money goes straight to the bank account, with no app to download and no cash to handle. The team can also see in real time who is receiving the most tips and ratings, which is a simple way to keep staff motivated.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to tip in Spain? No. Service is included in the price and tipping is always optional.

How much should I tip in a restaurant in Spain? Around 5–10% if the service was good. For a set lunch menu, €1–2 is normal.

Can I tip by card in Spain? Usually not, because most card machines have no tip option. Some venues offer a QR code so you can tip with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Do people tip more in the Canary Islands? In tourist areas, yes, because many guests come from countries where tipping is customary.

Do you tip in Gran Canaria or Tenerife? Yes. In tourist areas it's common to leave 5–10% in restaurants for good service and to round up in bars.

Do you tip in Lanzarote or Fuerteventura? The customs are the same: round up in bars and leave 5–10% in restaurants when the service deserves it.