Splitting the Bill: Are Extra Charges for Separate Payments Legal

It’s a common scenario: you’re out with friends, enjoying a delicious meal or drinks at your favorite eatery. As the night winds down, the bill arrives, and you ask the waiter to split it evenly amongst the group. But lately, more and more diners are encountering an unexpected added cost – a surcharge for the pleasure of paying separately. This practice is sparking confusion and frustration, raising questions about its legality.

TikTok lawyer Xavi Abat has shed light on this growing trend. Explaining that many establishments are now clearly stating their policies regarding separate payments. “Many bars and restaurants are beginning to issue these little notices,” he noted, pointing out that some establishments explicitly warn customers they will be charged extra for the inconvenience of managing individual bills.

Escalating Fees

These "management expenses" aren’t a fixed amount. They typically increase based on the number of people splitting the bill.

• 1 to 8 people: €1 surcharge per person.
• 8 to 12 people: €2 surcharge per person
• 13 or more people: €3 surcharge per person

These fees are calculated and added to the final bill.

Abat emphasized that because there are no specific laws addressing this practice, restaurants have a certain legal latitude.

"There is no law, nothing is said in the Civil Code, the contractual relations between the parties are free, each establishment can establish (pardon the redundancy), whatever it wants."

He clarifies that as long as the charge is clearly communicated beforehand, customers, by agreeing to split the bill knowing the added cost, are essentially entering into a valid contractual agreement.

“If the restaurant or establishment notifies of this charge, there is a contractual offer and you agree, you see and accept it, you have to eat it in every way… So in this, although questionable, this is legal,” Abat asserts.

Can You Refuse to Pay Separate Fees?

What happens if you’re faced with an unexpected surcharge after requesting to split the bill and you weren’t previously informed about the fees?

Here, Abat suggests taking a firm stance. He states the lack of prior notice provides grounds to object and insist on paying separately without the extra charges.

“In the event that they do not allow you to pay separately, according to him, since you have not been previously notified nor have you had ‘option to negotiate’ this, one can object and demand that it be paid separately. ‘You could file a complaint or stay there until they let you charge separately,’ he concluded.”

What recourse‍ do consumers have if they’re faced with unexpected split bill fees?

## Splitting the Bill:⁤ A Fee Too⁢ Far?

Good evening and welcome back. Tonight we’re diving into a burning topic for diners across the country: are restaurants justified in charging extra for splitting the bill?

Joining‌ us now is consumer advocate, Sarah Jones, to shed light on this ⁣growing trend and discuss what⁢ rights consumers ‌have.

**Interviewer:** Sarah, thanks for joining us.‌ It ‌seems like more and more people are complaining about being hit ‌with unexpected fees when they try to pay separately at restaurants. What’s behind this?

**Sarah:** You’re right, it’s becoming increasingly common. It seems ⁤some restaurants are choosing to implement “split bill” fees, essentially charging customers extra for the convenience of ⁢paying individually.

**Interviewer:** Peter: So, are these fees always legal?

**Sarah:** The legality depends on a few factors. ⁤Generally speaking, businesses can set their own pricing policies, but they must be clearly communicated to consumers.

**Interviewer:** So, what are some things to look out for?

**Sarah:** Keep an eye out for signage, often near the entrance or⁣ on menus, stating the policy on separate payments. Some⁢ places may also verbally disclose this information when you’re seated.

**Interviewer:** What should consumers do if they’re surprised with a split bill fee after the fact?

**Sarah:** Firstly, politely inquire ⁢with the staff about the reason for⁣ the ⁢fee. If it wasn’t clearly disclosed​ beforehand,⁢ you could try negotiating, especially if ⁤it’s a significant amount. Ultimately,⁢ if you feel it’s ⁤unjust, you can always choose to dine elsewhere in the future.

**Interviewer:** And‌ what do you think ⁢about apps that streamline splitting bills and⁤ splitting payments? Like ALL INN [[1](https://everyoneallin.com/bill-splitter/)], which seems⁣ designed⁤ to avoid these issues?

**Sarah:** Tools like⁢ that are fantastic. They empower consumers to handle payments efficiently while sidestepping potential⁢ fees and misunderstandings.

**Interviewer:** Any final thoughts for our viewers tonight?

**Sarah:** Be informed, be prepared, and don’t‍ be afraid to ⁤ask questions! As consumers, we have the right to know what we’re paying‌ for.

We thank ⁤Sarah Jones for her valuable insights, and we encourage our ‍viewers‌ to‍ share their experiences with split bill fees‌ in the comments below.