Culinary practices face relentless pressure is not the case
In Spain, a unique time-based pricing system has been implemented in many restaurants, particularly in the sunny south, to address the issue of customers occupying tables for hours with little consumption. This system, commonly seen in bars and bistros, offers different rates for shorter and longer durations of stay.
Under this system, the cost of a latte can range from 1.50 euros for a 30-minute stay to 4 euros for an hour. For example, a latte might cost 1.50 euros for a 30-minute stay, 2.50 euros for 40 minutes, and 4 euros for an hour. This pricing structure encourages customers to make timely decisions about their consumption, ensuring fair usage of tables.
During non-peak meal times, guests can sit with a full menu on popular outdoor terraces even if they only intend to drink. However, during peak meal times, guests can only do so if they intend to eat. Those who just want to drink are relegated to indoor seating. It is unclear if this model will spread to other countries, such as Germany.
Remote work has led to the practice of occupying tables in Spanish restaurants for extended periods, especially during sunny working hours. The time-based pricing system is a response to this trend, targeting order-averse customers who may otherwise occupy tables for hours.
Spain currently facilitates long-term stays of remote workers via its Digital Nomad Visa, which allows remote professionals to live in Spain while working for non-Spanish employers. However, there is no indication that Spain regulates long-term restaurant guests with limited consumption through time-based pricing or specific guest regulations tied to remote work.
In contrast, Germany has mobile work policies at corporate level but no known government regulation or time-based pricing system for remote workers’ restaurant use. As such, Spain stands alone in implementing this innovative approach to manage the challenge posed by customers who stay for extended periods with little consumption.
Sources:
[1] Digital Nomad Spain. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://digitalnomad-spain.com/
[2] NomadX. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://nomadx.io/
[3] The Local Spain. (2021, October 19). Spain's digital nomad visa: All you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.es/20211019/spains-digital-nomad-visa-all-you-need-to-know
In response to the growing trend of remote workers occupying tables for extended periods in Spanish restaurants, particularly during sunny working hours, some restaurants have adopted a unique time-based pricing system. This system, which varies the cost of food-and-drink based on the duration of stay, encourages more timely consumption and efficient use of resources, transforming a casual coffee into a lifestyle choice that reflects one's home-and-garden budget and responsible technology use. As Germany has yet to adopt such a system, this innovative approach to managing table usage largely remains unique to Spain.
