Spain is a hybrid economy, but rapidly shifting toward card and digital payments. While cash remains very common for small daily purchases (under €10-€20) and in rural areas, card (Visa/Mastercard) and mobile payments (Apple/Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere in cities, tourist areas, and shops.
Cash is still the number one payment method in Spain. You'll be able to use it everywhere and you most likely won't find a place that doesn't take cash. If you visit the Spanish countryside, this might be the only payment method available. Keeping some euros on you is also important for leaving cash tips.
While Spain still values cash—especially in small towns and local markets—cosmopolitan areas largely embrace all forms of electronic payments. Contactless, mobile, and online payments are now widely accepted and even preferred in many establishments.
Cards are the most used payment method in Portugal, and debit cards are more popular than credit cards. Common card brands include Visa and Mastercard, but the vast majority of Portuguese cards also belong to the Multibanco network.
The "Beckham Loophole" (or Beckham Law) in Spain is a special tax regime for skilled foreign workers, named after David Beckham, allowing them to pay a flat 24% tax on Spanish income (up to €600k) for six years, treating them as non-residents to avoid higher progressive rates and generally exempting foreign income, with recent updates expanding eligibility to remote workers and entrepreneurs. This "loophole" allows expats to significantly reduce their tax burden by paying non-resident rates on Spanish income, while foreign earnings remain untaxed in Spain, a major advantage over standard resident taxation.
Norway has the one of the lowest physical cash rates in the world, with only 3-5% of point of sale transactions paid for by cash. In 2021, Norway's central bank announcedthat it was exploring digital currency options to help facilitate the switch to a cash-free society.
ATMs and banks can be found all over Europe. And we advise that you use them to get your euros rather than exchanging cash or purchasing them from a bank ahead of a trip. (Like purchasing euros from a bank at home, currency exchange kiosks don't typically offer the best rates, and many charge a commission.
In Spain, there's more cash in circulation than in many other European countries. It's used in around 60% of in-store transactions compared to around 16% in the United States.
Employment duties must be carried out in Spain, although if they must also perform part of their duties outside of Spain, the percentage of their income earned from these activities must not exceed 15% (or 30%, where the employment activity or duties are undertaken in another firm within the group);
A 'good' gross salary in Spain is generally between €35,000 and €45,000 per year, depending on lifestyle and location. In cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, a net monthly income of around €2,500-€3,000 (which would require a gross annual salary of €40,000-€50,000) is considered comfortable for a single person.
The Basics: What Is the 183-Day Rule? In Spain, the rule states that if you spend more than 183 days (approximately six months) in the country during a calendar year, you are considered a tax resident.
The legislation was introduced by the Malaga City Council and Costa del Sol to prevent the registration of any new rental properties in 43 neighbourhoods. Although it won't 'ban' tourists from anywhere, this could mean that holidaygoers might find it harder to book short-term holiday properties.
Tipping in Spain is very different from tipping in North America. Rather than being expected and almost mandatory, tipping is a reward for exceptional service. It's appreciated and is commonplace across the hospitality sector, at restaurants, tapas bars, and beach clubs in places from Bilbao to Barcelona.
If you don't want to stand out as a tourist, make sure you leave your bread on the table, don't rest it on your plate. Expect to eat bread for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack (merienda) and dinner. In fact, if you manage a meal without bread I will be surprised.
The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself.
The use of coins and notes is steadily declining across Europe, yet it remains widespread. In many eurozone countries, cash is still the most common payment method both in terms of the number and value of transactions.
