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Money & duty free for Spain

Currency information: 

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents (céntimos). Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Credit cards: 

MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus are accepted in nearly all ATMs, which are common throughout the country. These credit cards can generally be used outside main towns and cities, although cash is your safest bet.

ATM: 

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus are accepted in nearly all ATMs, which are common throughout the country. There are usually at least one bank and ATM in each village.

Travellers cheques: 

Traveller's cheques are disappearing from use fast, and it's far more convenient to travel with credit cards these days. Nevertheless, you can still change them in main bank branches and exchange bureaux, and they are accepted in major hotels. It is advisable to bring them in sterling or dollars as there have been increasing reports of Euro cheques being refused.

Banking hours: 

Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1400. Some branches open Saturdays too, from October to April.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Currency exchange: 

Money can be changed in any bank, and at most travel agencies, major hotels and airports.

Spain duty free

Spain is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

The Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla are treated as being outside of the EU with regards to duty free. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Spain by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco.
• 1L of spirits if exceeding 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverage not exceeding 22% volume and 2L of other wine.
• Gifts up to the value of €430 (€150 for children under 15 years old).

EU nationals are not subject to duty free restrictions. The following items may be brought for personal use only:
• 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars
• 1 kg of tobacco
• 10 litres of spirits, 20 litres of fortified wine (such as port or sherry) and 90 litres of wine (of which, a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wine) or 110 litres of beer.

Banned imports: 

Products of animal origin not from an EU-member are not permitted to be imported into Spain, with exception of limited amounts. Details can be found at www.europa.eu. Firearms and ammunitions are prohibited unless you have obtained authorisation from the local police in Spain. For hunting firearms, temporary import is allowed without special authorisation, but they must be declared on arrival.

Banned exports: 

There are no restricted export items but there is a limit to the quantity of tobacco and alcoholic products you are exporting. For the Canary Islands, there are no restrictions.

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