These are the things you should not pay for in bars and restaurants.
Sometimes, hospitality establishments include in the bill they present to us concepts for which they have no right to charge us.
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) offers a series of tips so that we do not get surprises and so that we know our rights. Establishments can set their prices freely, but these must appear in their price list, which must be complete, visible to the user and with the final prices including tax.
Prices, with VAT
Establishments cannot increase the bill by applying an additional 10% to the price of the menu simply to add VAT. According to the law, the warning “VAT not included” is not allowed, even if it appears on the menu. Prices communicated on the menu or in the price list must already have VAT added.
It is not legal to charge a service or cover charge
Both the service and the cover must be included in the price.
They cannot charge you an extra fee for the reservation
They can charge you an amount in advance as a reservation, in fact it is common for large groups, but then they must deduct it from the total amount. If after making the reservation you are forced to cancel it, that reservation must include the option of cancellation and refund for a reason of force majeure.
Supplements for table or terrace: yes, if you are notified
They can charge you for sitting on the terrace or at a table instead of consuming at the bar as long as they inform you in advance of the amount, and indicate it on the menu and in the establishment. In addition, it must appear on the bill.
They can charge you for the appetizer that you have not ordered
This must be indicated on the menu or in the price list. If it does not say anything, you should ask if it is free; if not, they can charge you for it.
Bread, per diner or per unit
They can charge you for bread if it is on the price list. You should ask whether it is per diner or per unit, since in this case you will be charged for each piece of bread that you are served.
Tap water
Normally they do not charge you for it, but if they include it in the price list, they can legally do so. Sometimes they use the excuse that it is treated water to charge you. Establishments have the obligation to offer you free tap water.
Ice
The OCU considers it an abuse to charge you for the ice in a soft drink or coffee, but the establishment can do so and to do so they must indicate in the price list the cost of the product with and without ice.
Milk in coffee
Black coffee can have one price and coffee with milk, another. If this is the case and they inform you, you decide whether you drink it.
Items not on the menu
The OCU warns that, if you are offered products that are not on the menu – such as daily specials / fish or meat sold by weight – you must be informed of their price at that moment, otherwise, if at the time of payment you consider it abusive, you can refuse and propose paying the amount of a similar product from the menu.
The establishment is obliged to give the customer the ticket or invoice detailing all the products. It would be essential for any subsequent claim or in the case of food poisoning.
The final recommendation is to check the bill before paying it to check that you have not been overcharged. If you have a complaint and after expressing it politely and with arguments the establishment refuses to rectify, you can request a complaint form where you can record what happened. If they refuse to give it to you, you can notify the Municipal Police.
Here is a link to the original article in Spanish, dated April 2024…
Estas son las cosas por las que no debes pagar en bares y restaurantes