Online grocery delivery in Spain and when it is worth the fee

Key rules

• Coverage: Delivery is not available everywhere, so enter your postcode on each chain's site before you plan around it.
• Fees: Each chain sets its own fees, minimum order and free-delivery threshold, and these vary by postcode and slot.
• Slots: Book a delivery slot a day or more ahead, and finish checkout before the slot hold runs out.
• Worth it: Delivery pays off for big or heavy baskets and for people without easy transport, and much less for small ones.

Is delivery available where you live?

Online delivery works in many parts of Spain, but not everywhere. Big cities are well covered. Rural areas often are not. The only way to know is to check your postcode.

Which chains to try

Start with the chains that deliver in your province:

• Mercadona (its online shop runs only in some provinces and cities)
• Carrefour
• El Corte Inglés (its Supermercado service) and Hipercor
• Alcampo
• Eroski
• Dia
• Consum, Condis, Bon Preu, Caprabo, Ahorramás and Gadis, which are strong in particular regions
• Lidl, which is limited

Delivery apps such as Glovo and Uber Eats also bring groceries from nearby shops. They are built for quick, small orders, so expect extra fees and tips on top of the prices.

How to check your postcode

Open the chain's website or app and enter your código postal on the home page or at the start of checkout. Mercadona asks for it before it shows you the shop. The site then tells you whether it delivers and which slots or stores serve you. If your area is not covered, it says so or offers click-and-collect, where you order online and pick up in store.

Fees, minimums and slots

Each chain sets its own rules, and they change with your area, the time slot, the size of your order and any subscription. In general:

• A small basket pays a delivery fee.
• Bigger orders above a set amount get free or cheaper delivery.
• Many chains have a minimum order.
• Slots are time windows, usually booked a day or more ahead. Checkout may hold your slot for only a short time.

Read the figures for your postcode on each chain's site before you fill your basket. Compare two chains, because the totals can differ.

When it is worth the fee

Delivery is worth it when:

• Your basket reaches the free-delivery amount, so the fee is small.
• You buy heavy or bulky things such as water, milk or cat litter.
• You have no car, have mobility limits, or the shop is a long trip away.

It is less worth it when:

• Your basket is small.
• You like choosing fresh produce yourself.
• Fees and tips add up.

A simple test: compare the delivery fee with the time and transport cost of going to the store. The checklist below walks you through the steps, and the questions below it cover common doubts.

Checklist

• Make a short list of chains that might serve your area, such as Mercadona, Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, Alcampo, Eroski or Dia.

• Enter your postcode (código postal) on each chain's website or app to see whether it delivers to you.

• Note the delivery slots or stores offered for your postcode, or click-and-collect if delivery is not covered.

• Find the delivery fee, the minimum order and the free-delivery threshold for your postcode and slot.

• Check whether a subscription lowers the fee for the way you shop.

• Book a slot a day or more ahead and confirm how long it is held at checkout.

• Compare the fee with the time and transport cost of going to the store, then choose delivery or shop in person.

Frequently asked questions

Does Mercadona deliver online everywhere in Spain?

No, Mercadona Online only works in some provinces and cities. Enter your postcode before the shop opens and the site shows whether you are covered. If you are not, try another chain such as Carrefour or Dia.

What happens if my postcode is not covered?

The chain's site tells you it does not deliver there, or it offers click-and-collect instead. Rural areas are covered less often than large cities. Try other chains with the same postcode, since each one has its own delivery area.

Is online grocery delivery worth it for a small basket?

Usually not, because small baskets pay a delivery fee and many chains set a minimum order. It pays off when you reach the free-delivery threshold or buy heavy items like water, milk and cat litter. Compare the fee with your travel time and transport cost.

Can I order from Glovo or Uber Eats instead of a supermarket site?

Yes, Glovo and Uber Eats bring groceries as express delivery, but fees and tips can add up. They suit a quick top-up more than a big weekly shop.