While most places in Spain do indeed accept debit/credit cards, it's still quite common to pay with cash or coins for small purchases (for example, a 3 euro coffee). You may find that some small businesses (very few) do not accept cards, or that there is a minimum purchase required (usually 5 euros) in order to pay with card. Some card machines will ask for a 4 digit pin number when paying with credit card, which typically does not work with U.S. cards unless you have one with a chip. You can normally tell indicate that the credit card doesn't have a pin and it will go through for you to sign.

For larger purchases such as airline tickets, hotels, and clothing, using a credit card can be a convenient option. Credit card companies generally offer good exchange rates on international purchases but may add a transaction fee of around 2-3% onto the cost of your purchase - ask your credit card company to clarify the exchange rates and transactions fees for international purchases before you travel. 

If you plan to use your credit card while in Spain, please make sure to notify your credit card company. Many are becoming increasingly concerned about credit card fraud and will deny international charges if you have not informed them in advance of where you will be. 

Tip: If you want to get cash and only have a credit card handy, why not pay for something like a group dinner with friends on your card and have everyone pay you back for their part in cash? 

• Most US banks charge transaction fees for international ATM withdrawals. Normally, transaction fees are around 2-3% of the amount withdrawn and there may also be set fees of several euros for using ATMs not affiliated with your bank. Transaction fees are charged by your home bank (not the Spanish one) so check with your bank for details. 

  • • • • Tip: If you get charged a few euros each time you use your ATM card, think about taking out money in larger quantities (but less frequently). Do this near your housing so that you can get home and safely store your extra cash. 

• Take note of any withdrawal limits associated with your card. Most banks (U.S., Austalia, and others) set limits on the amount of cash you are able to withdraw in any given day (for example, 300 EUR per day limit). If you have trouble accessing the funds in your account, it may be that you’ve exceeded your withdrawal limit. 

• The ATM card you use in Spain must be associated with a checking or money market account. Cards linked to a savings account may not work. 

• Verify that your password is a four digit number. There are no letters on ATM keypads in Spain, so your password must be expressed in numbers, not letters. Students have had trouble using cards when the password contained more than four digits. 

• Should you have trouble finding a machine that works with your card, check with your home financial institution, as they should be able to give you the location of a machine that functions on your network. 

• As you would anywhere, be cautious when using ATMs. Try to use machines that are in well-lit, familiar locations. Be particularly aware of your surroundings when entering your PIN or withdrawing cash. Once you finish your transaction, put your money and your card in a safe place immediately. 

Dollars can be exchanged for euros at a number of banks in Barcelona. There is a bank across the street from the Apple Store (in Plaza Catalunya) that will exchange. There are a few things you need to think about before exchanging your money: 

• The exchange rate. This rate determines how many euros you’ll get for your dollars, before transaction fees are deducted. Not all financial institutions offer the same rate. Exchange rates for traveler’s checks are usually slightly better than the cash rate. 

• The commission rate. Commission rates are an extra transaction fee charged by some institutions. These fees are most often expressed as a flat rate (for example, 5€), but may also be expressed as a percentage (for example, 3% of the amount being exchanged). Be careful of exchange centers that advertise 0 commissions, as these locations usually do not offer very competitive exchange rates. 

• The use of travelers checks is not common in Spain, and businesses will not accept them as a form of payment. If you purchased travelers checks prior to coming to BCN, you’ll most likely need to convert them into cash at the bank or through the company that issued the checks. 

• You will need your original passport with you when exchanging money. 

• Be sure that you stand in the right line; often the proper line is marked with the word “cambio.” 

If you need to get money in an emergency, the best option is an international wire transfer via Moneygram or Western Union. 

General information including FAQs on performing international wire transfers can be found on their websites.

Sometimes it may appear that other students are on an unlimited budget, but this is not true! There are lots of students who are watching their wallets and it just takes a few days to identify the students who will spend most of their evenings in expensive nightclubs vs. those who are looking to have a more local experience. Be proactive and reach out to your fellow students to see if anyone wants to join you for a language exchange night or to go to a gallery during a free opening. 

Here are some more tips to save money while in Barcelona!

1. Live in a homestay - With 2 meals a day and laundry provided, you'll be saving lots of money right away. Plus you really mix with the locals. 

   Estimated savings: 23€/day (713€ a month!)

2. Cooking at home - If you're in a shared apartment or a residence hall, you can shop at the local grocery store or market and cook meals at home. Groceries in Spain are a lot more cost effective than they are in the US. Pick up a basic Spanish cookbook and try new recipes, and you'll learn new skills as well as save some money.
   A budget for eating out 3 "cheap" meals a day: breakfast (6€), lunch (15€), and dinner (20€): 41€/day (1,230€ a month)
   Groceries for 1 week: 100€ (400€/month)
   Estimated monthly savings: 800€
   Best budget grocery stores: Lidl, Aldi, Mercadona, Bon Preu, and your local market! 

3. Get the right metro pass - An unlimited 1 month metro pass, called the T-Usual, costs 20€. The metro pass works for buses and trams as well. Combine with walking and you have your transportation sorted!
   Taking taxis 4 times a week (12 times per month): 160€ per month

  Relying on your monthly metro pass: 20€  
  Estimated savings: 140€ per month

4. Walk - While transportation can be inexpensive, walking is not only free but one of the best ways to discover the city. Try walking to school or your internship and home by going a different way each day. You'll discover so many hidden secrets and save money at the same time. If you buy a 10 ride metro pass to get you around if you're running late, you can avoid buying a monthly pass.
   Estimated savings: 30€ per month

5. Go where the locals go - This applies to restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc. - if the menu is in English and covered in pictures, run away! Places that focus on tourists tend to charge twice as much, and the food is never as good. Look for restaurants that are full of locals and families and you'll be sure to get good quality food at reasonable prices.
   A beer at Opium (a nightclub that mostly caters to tourists): 8€
   A bottle of beer at "Bar Gato Negro" (a bar frequented by local students): 3,50€
   Estimated monthly savings if you drink a few beers a week: 80€

6. Walk away from the Ramblas - Or any touristy areas for that matter! The Ramblas, beachfront, street in front of the Sagrada Familia, and similar areas will charge a lot more for food than places in residential neighborhoods. Whenever you're traveling, walk a few streets away from the most touristy areas to find better deals and more local experiences.
   Churros con Chocolate on Las Ramblas: 6,95€
   Churros con chocolate at a traditional place on Calle Petxrol: 2,85€

7.  Travel locally - There are so many places to visit around Catalonia, both on overnights or on day trips. For example:
   Saturday - Visit Montserrat Mountain by train (26,30€) and go hiking with a picnic lunch (5€)
   Sunday - Take the train to Girona (20€) to walk around the medieval town where they filmed Game of Thrones and take yourself out to a really nice 3 course lunch with wine included (a Menú del día) (16€)
   Total cost for the weekend: 65€
   Other local plans include going to Tarragona, Sitges, the Costa Brava, Cadaqués, Besalú and more! Compared to a weekend away with a 100€ flight + 80€ hostel + 3 meals a day and entrance fees... you're looking at 300€+ per weekend away that needs a flight. Spend a few weekends a month in Barcelona and plan just a few key travel weekends - you can save hundreds easily!

8. Free Museums  - The first Sunday of each month, most museums in Barcelona are free. Take advantage and visit on those days, or buy an Art Pass with tickets to several museums so you can go anytime.
   Entrance to Picasso Museum: 12€
   Going the first Sunday of the month: 0€
   If you do this with 2 museums a month: estimated savings of 20€ per month

9. Attend language exchanges - There are language exchange meetups almost every night of the week across the city! Locals looking to learn English will help you to learn Spanish in exchange. Many are based around activities like board games or playing pool.
   Entrance to a language exchange night: 3€
   Entrance to a nightclub: 15€
   Do this twice a month instead of going to a nightclub for an estimated savings of 22€ per month!

10. Read the Cultural Agenda - Our weekly Cultural Agenda includes 6-8 events per week that are free or inexpensive. We'll let you know when the museums are free, when you can catch a casteller or correfoc performance, or whenever there's a free or low cost festival, exhibition, food fair, market, etc.

Other suggestions: 

• Do the Barcelona Bucket List for 100+ ways to explore the city like a local and for a chance to win great prizes. 

• Instead of going out to lunch, grab a sandwich or a salad from a local supermarket (4€) and head to a local park to enjoy the sunshine. 

• A takeaway kebab and a soda (5€ total) makes for a great dinner to enjoy on the run or at the beach. 

• Spend a day at the beach or go hiking in the Collserola mountain overlooking the city - there are few better ways to spend a day for free!

• If you're here for a semester, try to sign up for a class at a Civic Center. Located all around the city, they offer state subsidized classes like weekly yoga, dance classes, cooking classes, pottery and more. You'll meet locals and learn something new!