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Mallorca Restaurant Adds Automatic 10% Tip to Bills in Palmanova

Consumer guidance in Spain urges diners to scrutinize receipts for automatic service charges.

Overview

  • A tourist reported that a Palmanova eatery included a 10 percent service charge in the final total, with the non-service amount shown only in small print.
  • The restaurant says the billing is transparent, showing totals with and without the added service, and it refunds the charge when customers object.
  • Tipping in Spain is voluntary, with five to ten percent commonly considered appropriate, rather than a mandatory line item.
  • The case follows a string of unusual add-on fees in the islands, including a widely criticized handbag-hook charge reported earlier this summer.
  • Local coverage links the practice to a difficult 2025 season for Mallorca restaurateurs, and consumer outlets advise checking bills and requesting corrections where needed.