- PlugsType C, F
- Power230 V · 50 Hz
- CurrencyEUR · Euro
- Tipping5–10% at restaurants
- Time2 standard offsets, UTC+0 to UTC+1 · DST observed in all zones
Plugs and power
Spain uses Type C (two round pins); Type F (two round + clips). Mains power is 230 V at 50 Hz. Phone, tablet and laptop chargers are usually rated 100–240 V, so they need at most a plug adapter; check the label on hair dryers, straighteners and kettles.
| Travelling from | Adapter needed? | Voltage note |
|---|---|---|
| US / Canada | Yes | Different voltage (120 V → 230 V): check each device label for “100–240V” |
| UK / Ireland | Yes | Similar voltage (230 V at home, 230 V there) |
| Australia / NZ | Yes | Similar voltage (230 V at home, 230 V there) |
Plugs and voltage in Spain · Do I need a plug adapter for Europe from Australia or NZ? · Do I need a plug adapter for Europe from the UK? · Plug adapter vs voltage converter
Money: currency, cash and cards
The currency of Spain is the Euro (EUR, €). Convert from your home currency below; the rate is a daily mid-market reference rate, so a card, ATM or exchange counter will usually give you a little less.
Daily mid-market rates, fetched in your browser (loading…). Rates By Exchange Rate API
- 1 AUD = … EUR
- 1 NZD = … EUR
- 1 USD = … EUR
- 1 GBP = … EUR
- 1 CAD = … EUR
AUD → EUR · GBP → EUR · NZD → EUR · USD → EUR · Pay in local or home currency? Checker · Paying abroad: cards, cash and ATMs
Tipping
In Spain, tipping is typically 5–10% at restaurants (Aorista tipping data: “Expected”, part of service culture). Rates for taxis, hotels and tours are on the country page.
Tipping in Spain · Tipping around the world
Time difference
Spain is covered by 3 zones in the IANA tz database, with 2 standard UTC offsets; daylight saving time is observed in all zones. The table compares Madrid (now 12:00, UTC+1) with common home cities, using the 2026e rules.
| City | Local time | Difference | Next change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 00:00 | Madrid is 12 hours behind | Sun 28 Mar 2027: becomes 11 hours behind |
| Sydney | 22:00 | Madrid is 10 hours behind | Sun 28 Mar 2027: becomes 9 hours behind |
| London | 11:00 | Madrid is 1 hour ahead | No change in the next 12 months |
| New York | 06:00 | Madrid is 6 hours ahead | Sun 14 Mar 2027: becomes 5 hours ahead |
| Los Angeles | 03:00 | Madrid is 9 hours ahead | Sun 14 Mar 2027: becomes 8 hours ahead |
- UTC+1, with daylight saving time: Europe/Madrid (Spain (mainland)); Africa/Ceuta (Ceuta, Melilla)
- UTC+0, with daylight saving time: Atlantic/Canary (Canary Islands)
Time in Madrid · Clock changes 2026–2027
Weather
Current conditions and 7-day forecasts (Open-Meteo) for Barcelona in Spain.
Packing
Packing lists you can tick off and save in your browser:
Beach holiday · City break · Build your own list
Nearby and also popular
United Kingdom travel essentials · France travel essentials · Italy travel essentials · All countries
Questions
What plug do I need for Spain?
Spain uses Type C, F plugs at 230 V, 50 Hz. From the US or Canada: adapter needed. From the UK or Ireland: adapter needed. From Australia or New Zealand: adapter needed.
What currency is used in Spain?
The Euro (EUR).
Do you tip in Spain?
Typically 5–10% at restaurants, according to our tipping data (expected).
What is the time difference between Spain and the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand?
Right now (Sun 1 Nov 2026), compared with Madrid: Auckland 12 hours ahead, Sydney 10 hours ahead, London 1 hour behind, New York 6 hours behind, Los Angeles 9 hours behind. Differences change when either side starts or ends daylight saving time.
Does Spain have daylight saving time?
Yes. All 3 zones (IANA tz database 2026e).
Sources and last checked
- Plug types and voltage: Aorista voltage checker data. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Tipping norms: Aorista tipping data. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Time zones and daylight saving: IANA tz database 2026e. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Exchange rates: Rates By Exchange Rate API. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Weather: Open-Meteo forecasts, on the linked weather pages. Checked 18 Oct 2026.