In its FAQ section, Mercadona clarified that it accepts “up to 50 coins for each payment”, whether “of the same or different value”, and, if you try to pay with more, the store may refuse and ask for another payment method. The rule is not exclusive to the chain: European legislation provides that no merchant is obliged to accept more than 50 currencies in a single transaction.
This is a common question: many people collect small coins in their wallets and try to “dispatch” everything at the supermarket, especially for everyday purchases. The problem is that counting dozens of coins at the counter can delay the line, and not all stores are required to accept any quantity.
In the case of Mercadona, and according to the Spanish newspaper AS, the answer is written in black and white: “we accept up to 50 coins for each payment”, without distinguishing whether they are all the same or of different values. The indication appears in its frequently asked questions space and was highlighted in news published in Spain in recent days.
Because there is a limit (and it is not “ill will”)
In addition to company policy, there is a European legal basis: the regulation that frames the introduction of the euro establishes that, barring exceptions (such as the issuing authority), “no party will be obliged to accept more than 50 currencies in a single payment”. In other words, the trader can refuse above this number without breaking the law.
In practice, this means that, if you arrive at the Mercadona checkout with a “bag” of coins and you exceed 50, the employee may ask you to pay the difference with notes, card or split the payment, as long as the store accepts this split.
There is also another limit that can catch customers off guard: in Spain, the general ceiling for cash payments in certain operations has dropped to 1,000 euros when one of the parties acts as a company or professional, according to the Spanish Tax Agency, cited by . This is why several chains remember that high-value purchases may have to be paid by card.
What to do if you want to “dispatch” coins without problems
If the goal is to get rid of accumulated coins, the simplest thing is to use them in small, regular payments, staying below 50 per purchase. This avoids refusals and, above all, does not turn a payment of seconds into a long operation.
Another option is to exchange coins at the bank (or use your own exchange/deposit services, when available), instead of taking large quantities to the supermarket checkout. In many cases, this solution is faster and avoids embarrassment.
And if you’re in doubt, it’s best to ask before you start counting: with a simple phrase (“can I pay with these coins?”) you avoid surprises at the end, and, if you pass the limit, you still have time to choose another payment method.
The context: a simple rule at a retail giant
The topic gained attention in Spain after news highlighted the clarification from Mercadona, a chain with around 1,600 stores in the country.
Market data cited by the specialized press indicate that Mercadona closed 2025 with a 36.9% share in “modern distribution”, according to consultancy Algori, a weight that helps explain why practical rules like this end up generating so much interest.
Essentially, the rule of thumb is: up to 50 coins per payment. If you exceed it, the store may refuse, and European law covers this decision.
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