IGIC Added After the Bill? What Tourists Should Know in the Canary Islands
If you’re eating out in the Canary Islands and see IGIC added after the bill arrives, don’t panic. Here’s what it usually means, how to handle it politely, and when it’s best to just enjoy your meal and move on.
IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario) is the Canary Islands’ local version of VAT. Unlike mainland Spain’s IVA (21%), IGIC is much lower — usually 7% in restaurants.
The important thing for visitors to know is this:
👉 In most cases, menu prices should already include IGIC.
Why Does IGIC Sometimes Appear as an Extra?
Occasionally, you’ll see IGIC added as a separate line on the bill. This can happen for a few reasons:
The restaurant hasn’t updated its menu correctly
The business is applying the rules inconsistently
The restaurant is inside a hotel or tourist complex
Or it’s simply habit rather than intent
Most of the time, it’s not a scam, just inconsistency.
What Can You Do as a Tourist?
You have a few sensible options — choose what feels right in the moment:
1. Ask politely
A simple:
“Is IGIC included in the menu price?”
is often enough. Many places will quietly correct the bill.
2. Decide if it’s worth the energy
At 7%, IGIC is often:
Less than a euro or two
Cheaper than a tip
Not worth spoiling an otherwise nice meal
Personally, I often think:
“It’s cheaper than a tip — let’s not ruin the evening.”
3. Pay and move on
If the service was good and the atmosphere pleasant, many people simply pay and enjoy the rest of their holiday. That’s a perfectly reasonable choice.
A Quick Note About Hotel Restaurants
Restaurants that are:
Inside hotels
Required as part of the hotel’s facilities
Operated by the same company as the hotel
Not open to the street to attract the public
can fall under different tourism regulations, which can affect how prices are presented. This is one reason visitors sometimes see IGIC handled differently in hotel settings.
Final Thoughts
The Canary Islands remain one of the best-value places in Europe to eat out. Low IGIC is part of that — even when it’s applied imperfectly.
If something feels off, ask. If it doesn’t, enjoy your meal, enjoy the sunshine, and don’t let a couple of euros spoil your holiday.
Here are a few natural Spanish one-liners you can say to a waiter. Pick the one that feels most you.
🇪🇸 Best all-round Spanish one-liner (recommended)
“Perdón, ¿el precio de la carta ya incluye el IGIC?”
(Sorry, does the menu price already include IGIC?)
Clear, polite, zero attitude.
🇪🇸 Very casual / friendly
“¿El IGIC está incluido en el precio?”
(Is IGIC included in the price?)
Short and perfectly acceptable.
🇪🇸 If IGIC has already been added on the bill
“Perdón, pensaba que el IGIC estaba incluido en la carta.”
(Sorry, I thought IGIC was included in the menu.)
This invites a correction without confrontation.
Disclaimer
This article is based on personal experience and general consumer guidance. It is not tax advice or legal advice. For formal clarification, consult a qualified professional or the relevant consumer authority.
