Tourists eating out in Spain warned common habit is now 'banned'

Brits jetting off to Majorca for their summer holidays need to be aware of a new rule being rolled out in some restaurants across the Spanish island, according to reports. If tourists are planning to treat themselves to a dinner as a group, a typical request is now being 'banned'.

The Majorca Daily Bulletin reported that holidaymakers considering splitting the bill at restaurants will be in for a shock in certain spots. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the CAEB Restaurants Association in Mallorca, was quoted as explaining that some dining establishments are starting to stop customers from settling the bill separately.

Ferrer said: "There is one bill per table, and it is up to the customers to deal with the payment. Some don't want to pay for the wine, others specifically ask to pay for their dish. This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for. It is time-consuming and even more so if the bill doesn't add up."

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In an era where tapping your bank card is quicker and more convenient than counting cash, dividing up a dinner tab usually leads to extra hassle for the staff, as opposed to guests doing the maths with cash in hand. Ferrer noted in the report that "only 30-40%" of diners opt to pay with bank notes and coins in 2025.

Ferrer highlights that the hassle of settling bills just piles onto the already tough workloads of restaurant workers. This is made even worse by a staffing shortage, an effect from the pandemic, it is claimed, that continues to plague the hospitality sector, reports Wales Online.

The "one table, one bill" rule is gaining traction in Spain. Holiday hotspots like Zaragoza, Málaga, and parts of Barcelona are adopting the policy, as reported by Euro Weekly.

Restaurants are implementing this approach in two main ways. Either, outright banning the splitting of bills, or permitting it but imposing a surcharge for each card transaction, usually between €1 and €2.

A Zaragoza restaurateur reportedly started this practice after finding it too time-consuming to process multiple payment requests simultaneously. This became particularly problematic during peak seasons like summer, when tourist numbers swell.

Is this allowed and what can I do when eating out?

Spanish legislation doesn't specifically mention that businesses have to accommodate split payments, so restaurateurs are at liberty to set their payment policies. So, in essence, yes. Spanish restaurants can legally decline to split bills, provided they communicate their policy upfront through menu notices, visible signage and verbal explanation.

Plan how you'll settle the bill before sitting down to dine to avoid any hassle. Discuss with your group whether to pool cash together or nominate one person to foot the bill and sort out transferring via bank transfer later.

If possible, ask for separate bills when you order. This helps the restaurant in managing payments more efficiently from the outset. Splitting bills can put additional strain on busy staff, so your patience and understanding will be appreciated.

Is Majorca the same as Mallorca?

Majorca and Mallorca are two names for the same island. "Majorca" is how you spell it in English, whereas "Mallorca" is the spelling in Spanish and Catalan, which is the official name. Both names are used interchangeably, but Mallorca is the more widely accepted and technically accurate term.