Lorraine Williamson
Cash is still a normal way to pay in Spain. However, if you shop at Mercadona, it’s helpful to know where the hard lines are—because there are two of them, and they are not negotiable. Mercadona’s cash payment rules boil down to a ceiling on cash for larger baskets and a strict cap on the number of coins that can be used in one transaction.
For most shoppers, this will never matter. For anyone doing a big stock-up, paying with loose change, or visiting from abroad, it can save an awkward moment at the checkout.
The €1,000 threshold: why Mercadona draws a firm line
Mercadona states that, by law, it cannot accept cash payments above €999.99. If your shop reaches or exceeds €1,000, the company says you must pay the entire purchase by card.
This sits within Spain’s wider anti-fraud framework. Official guidance explains that, in transactions where one party is a business or professional (as a supermarket is), cash payments of €1,000 or more are restricted, with a higher limit applying in certain cases for non-tax-resident individuals.
The practical takeaway in Mercadona is simple:
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If your basket is heading towards €1,000, assume you will need a card.
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Do not rely on paying “part cash, part card” once the total tips over—Mercadona’s own customer guidance points shoppers to card payment for the full amount.
The coin rule: 50 coins per payment, maximum
The other flashpoint is coins. Mercadona’s published policy is clear: it accepts up to 50 coins per payment, whether they are all the same denomination or mixed. If you offer more, the supermarket can refuse the payment.
That limit is not a quirky supermarket invention. At the EU level, guidance on euro legal tender explains that rules on euro coins are set out in Regulation (EC) No 974/98, and consumer guidance widely flags that retailers are not obliged to accept more than 50 coins in a single payment.
In plain terms, turning up with a jar of 1- and 2-cent coins to “finally get rid of them” is unlikely to end well if you exceed 50.
What to do with a mountain of change
If you have accumulated a lot of coins—common in tourist areas and hospitality-heavy towns—there are faster, less confrontational options than testing the patience of a queue:
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Deposit or exchange coins via your bank (note some banks apply counting/handling conditions or fees depending on the service).
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Use coins across several small transactions, keeping within the 50-coin cap each time.
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Prioritise higher-denomination coins (€1/€2) when paying in cash, and keep the copper for parking meters, vending machines, or gradual use.
Mercadona’s rule is designed to keep tills moving. Even if staff are willing, time is not.
Paying by card at Mercadona: what’s accepted
Mercadona’s own customer information says it accepts bank cards carrying Visa, Mastercard or Maestro. It also makes clear that American Express is not accepted.
Some shoppers also use mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), where those wallets are linked to supported card networks—this has been widely reported in Spain’s consumer coverage of Mercadona payment methods.
A quick Q&A for the checkout moment
Can I pay €1,200 in cash at Mercadona?
No. Mercadona states that cash cannot be used once the purchase reaches €1,000.
Can I pay with 60 coins if I’m polite about it?
No. Mercadona sets a hard cap of 50 coins per payment.
Are shops in Spain obliged to take unlimited coins because “it’s legal tender”?
No. EU guidance around euro coins allows limits, and consumer bodies explicitly remind shoppers about the 50-coin rule.
Do the Spanish cash limits have exceptions?
Yes—official guidance notes that higher thresholds can apply in specific cases (such as certain non-tax-resident individuals), but Mercadona applies its own published in-store rule for purchases reaching €1,000.
Tourists: how Mercadona handles Tax Free VAT refunds
If you are eligible for Spain’s traveller VAT refund (Tax Free), Mercadona directs customers to register via its Customer Invoice Portal using identification, then provide those details at checkout to generate the right documentation.
The wider process links into Spain’s DIVA system (run by the tax agency), where travellers validate purchases when leaving the EU via designated points (often at airports).
In other words, it is possible, but it works best when you prepare before you reach the till.
The simple Mercadona checkout checklist
If you want to avoid surprises:
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Keep cash purchases comfortably below €1,000.
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Count coins before you queue—50 is the maximum.
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Carry a Visa/Mastercard/Maestro option as backup (and do not assume Amex will work).
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If you’re claiming Tax Free, register first and have your ID ready.
For most people, this is about convenience rather than confrontation. But in a country where cash still circulates heavily, knowing the rules helps you stay in control of the moment—rather than negotiating it at a busy supermarket till.
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