'Free' Bread In Europe Might Not Mean What You Think It Does
In some parts of Europe, the bread basket or small starters that show up without you asking are not actually free. When you eat them, you will then face a charge on your bill. In Italy, this may be listed as "coperto" or "pane e coperto." Portugal calls it "couvert," whereas in Spain, it can appear as "servicio de pan" or "aperitivo" — and it's different from the free food you get with a drink in certain parts of Spain.
In July 2025, HuffPost España reported a case of a diner in Madrid who was charged €5 ($5.83 as of August 2025) for "cubierto, pan, aperitivo y servicio." However, per Telecinco, bread can only be billed in Spain if its price is listed on the menu, and generic "servicio" or "cubierto" charges are illegal. Consumer groups in Spain similarly agree that these items can only be charged if the price is visible.
Meanwhile in Portugal, couvert plates of bread, olives, or cheese are common in most restaurants in the country but are not free unless the customer asks for them or eats them. The Lazio region of Italy, which includes Rome, bans extra "coperto" charges under regional laws, a rule that many visitors might be unaware of. In the rest of Italy, coperto charges are allowed if the fee is listed on the menu. This can be especially important to know if you are planning a trip to Matera, one of the cheapest destinations in Italy.
What free bread fees look like
In Italy, "coperto" is usually a per-person cover charge. Many restaurants set these charges between €1 and €3 ($1.17 and $3.50 as of August 2025), whereas tourist areas often ask for €4 or €5 ($4.66 or $5.83), and upscale restaurants often charge even more. In Spain, one of the best countries to retire abroad, restaurants will charge a small fee for bread service that is between €1 and €4 ($1.16 and $4.65) per person. These fees can vary depending on where, exactly, in the country you are traveling. For example, La Esquina del Real in Madrid lists €1.75 ($2.03) for "aperitivo/pan," whereas Casa Montalván in Seville lists €1.60 ($1.86) for "servicio de pan y picos."
Like Spain, Portugal's "couvert" is also billed per person and the price depends on where you visit. According to the 2025 menus from restaurants across Lisbon, cover charges can vary quite a bit — from €2.50 ($2.91) at Gambrinus, to €8.50 ($9.88) at Mini Bar by José Avillez, to around €3.75 ($4.36) at Cantinho do Avillez.