Best card and money tips for Spain.
For Spain, the best Aussie card is the Wise Debit (real interbank eur rate, almost zero fees. hold a eur balance, top up before you fly.). Cards work almost everywhere — you can travel here on a debit card alone.
Cash or card?
Spain is largely card-friendly — almost every restaurant, bar and shop accepts cards including contactless. Cash is mostly for tips, the small bar with €5 cañas, and the occasional rural town.
- Always pay in EUR if asked 'EUR or AUD' — the AUD option uses a worse rate (Dynamic Currency Conversion).
- Contactless works everywhere — Apple Pay / Google Pay accepted at most terminals.
- Withdraw a few hundred EUR cash on arrival for the small spots that prefer it.
Best Aussie cards for Spain
Real interbank EUR rate, almost zero fees. Hold a EUR balance, top up before you fly.
CATCH: ATM fees free up to A$350/mo, then 1.75%.
No FX fees on EFTPOS purchases at any merchant. Contactless works seamlessly.
CATCH: No card-fee refunds on ATM operator charges (rare in Spain anyway).
Refunds international ATM fees with eligibility — great if you withdraw cash multiple times.
CATCH: Eligibility = $1000/mo deposit + 5 card purchases prior month.
ATM playbook
- ING Direct (free for all)
- Deutsche Bank
- OpenBank
- Euronet ATMs (the yellow ones at touristy spots — terrible rates, hidden DCC pushes)
- ATMs inside currency exchange shops
Euronet ATMs are the tourist trap of Spain — they're everywhere, look convenient, and will try to convert your withdrawal to AUD at a brutal rate. Always decline DCC and choose EUR.
Local money hacks
Watch out for
Indicative FX as of May 2026. Card features and eligibility change — verify with the issuer.