Lorraine Williamson
In the past two years, Spain’s tourism industry has seen a noticeable revival of visitors from China — and with them, a quiet revolution in how money changes hands. From luxury boutiques in Madrid’s Salamanca district to tapas bars in Seville, Spanish businesses are adapting fast to the preferred payment style of the world’s most digitally fluent travellers: the QR code.
In China, QR-based mobile payment isn’t just a convenience — it’s a way of life. Apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate everyday transactions, whether buying a metro ticket or a bottle of water. Cash is almost obsolete, and even credit cards are rarely used. But for Chinese tourists arriving in Spain, that frictionless experience has often stopped at the airport terminal. Until recently, the unfamiliarity of Spain’s card-based systems led to awkward moments at the checkout, with visitors forced to carry cash or rely on international cards that add extra costs.
High-spending visitors prompt rapid change
That inconvenience has become increasingly costly for Spanish businesses. According to data from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, around 600,000 Chinese tourists visited Spain in 2023 — a sharp rise, though still below pre-pandemic highs. What sets them apart is not just their numbers but their spending habits. They are among the world’s most generous travellers, splashing out on designer brands, fine dining and cultural experiences. For shopkeepers and restaurateurs, failing to accommodate their preferred payment methods can mean missing out on thousands of euros.
Partnership with Chinese platforms
To close that gap, Spanish banks and merchants are now teaming up with major Chinese payment providers. Alipay and WeChat Pay terminals are appearing across tourist-heavy destinations — from Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia to the outlet malls of Las Rozas Village. The process is simple: tourists scan a QR code displayed at the till using their home app, which instantly converts yuan into euros. The transaction is seamless for both sides.
A boost for local businesses
The shift isn’t limited to luxury stores. Independent cafés, souvenir shops and even small hotels have begun to embrace QR payment systems, recognising the economic potential behind cultural adaptation. Business owners report that Chinese visitors are more likely to make spontaneous purchases when they can pay easily. This, in turn, supports local economies and reduces cash-handling risks.
Spain’s own digital transition
Interestingly, the spread of QR payments for Chinese tourists is nudging Spanish consumers towards the same technology. Younger generations, already comfortable with digital wallets, are starting to use QR codes for domestic payments too. As banks and fintech startups expand their offerings, Spain could see a broader shift towards a cashless, mobile-driven economy.
Spain’s readiness to embrace this digital evolution may prove decisive in its competition with other European destinations for high-value tourism. As international travel from China continues to recover, the ability to “pay by QR” could soon be as essential to Spanish hospitality as offering Wi-Fi or multilingual menus.