Tipping rules by country

Canada

At sit-down restaurants, most people tip 15-20% on the pre-tax bill, much like the U.S., but sales tax can run 13-15%, so tipping on the total adds up fast. Card terminals often default to post-tax percentages, so check the screen before you tap; pre-tax tip options on card readers are increasingly standard in several provinces. Counter service and takeout usually need much less.

United Kingdom

Many sit-down restaurants add a discretionary 10-12.5% service charge, so read the bill before adding more. Extra cash is optional when no charge appears. In pubs and bars, rounding up is enough unless staff serve you at the table.

Italy

Tipping is optional. Round up or leave small cash for good sit-down service, and check whether "servizio" is already on the bill. "Coperto" is a cover charge for bread and the table, not a tip to staff. Cash left on the table still reaches servers more reliably than hoping a card tip does.

France

Service compris means the bill already includes service, so extra tipping is never required. Round up or leave a little cash only when service felt worth it. In Paris and finer restaurants, small extras are slightly more common.

Germany

Say the total you want to pay when settling. Do not leave cash on the table. A separate service charge is uncommon. Restaurant tips sit at 5-10% for good service. Bars and taxis: round up. Large percentage tips are unusual.

Greece

Check the bill first because a service charge may already be included at some restaurants. Around 5-10% is a fair thank-you elsewhere, with tourist areas sometimes expecting a little more. Cash is preferred, and add card tips before you pay.

United States

Plan for 18-22% at sit-down restaurants because tips are part of how service staff earn. Bartenders often get 1-2 dollars per drink, and large groups may see gratuity already on the bill. Calculate on the pre-tax total when you choose the amount yourself.

Spain

Tipping is optional in Spain. Small change or rounding up is most common, with slightly larger tips only in sit-down restaurants for very good service.

Belgium

Service is already built into restaurant prices, so tipping stays optional. Most people round up or leave a little extra only for standout service. Say the total when paying, especially in Brussels and busier tourist spots.

South Africa

Tipping is expected in South Africa. In restaurants, 10-15% is standard, while safari and game lodge tipping is usually handled separately for guides, trackers, and general staff.

Japan

Excellent service is part of the price, so cash tips are not part of daily dining or taxi rides. Pay the amount on the bill or meter and a sincere thank you is enough. Offering money can embarrass staff or be politely refused.

Portugal

Tipping is not required in Portugal. In restaurants, locals often round up the bill; about 5-10% is a generous thank-you for good sit-down service. Check for serviço on the bill or menu before adding more. Bars, cafés, and taxis usually just round up or leave small change.

Mexico

Tipping is customary in Mexico. Around 10-15% is standard in restaurants, while taxis usually just round up unless the ride is long or luggage is involved.

Hong Kong

A 10% service charge is common on mid-range and upscale bills, so extra tipping is optional. That line may not reach your server in full, so a small cash tip for strong service still helps. Cha chaan teng and casual local spots do not expect a tip.

Australia

Workers earn normal wages, so there is no tipping obligation at restaurants or bars. Round up or leave up to 10% only when you want to reward standout service. You can decline optional service charges if a venue adds one without telling you.

Switzerland

Service has been included in menu prices by law since 1974, so tipping stays voluntary. Most people round up to a neat franc amount, or leave about 5-10% only for outstanding sit-down service. Say the total you want to pay when the card runs. American-style 15-20% is over-tipping here.

Ireland

About 10% is common at sit-down restaurants for good service when no service charge is listed. Pubs tip lighter. Round up drinks at the bar, and tip only for table service or a meal. Card tip screens are common. Check the total on the terminal before you tap, and skip any tip you do not want.

Thailand

A 10% service charge is common on hotel and nicer restaurant bills, shown as ++ with VAT on top, so everyday tipping is not expected. Round up or leave small cash only when there was no service charge and service stood out. Street food rarely needs anything. Private drivers tip about 100-300 THB for a full day, separate from the hire fee.

India

Tipping is customary but voluntary. Leave about 10% at sit-down restaurants when no service charge appears. CCPA rules say a service charge cannot be forced by default, so check the bill and ask for removal if added without consent. Street food needs nothing. Short taxis tip with a round-up.

Indonesia

A service charge is common on tourist restaurant and hotel bills, so extra tipping is optional. Round up Grab, Gojek, and short taxis. Tip private day drivers about 50000-100000 IDR at the end of the day. That is a tip, not the daily hire rate.

Netherlands

Service is built into menu prices and staff wages, so tipping is not expected. Round up to the next euro, or leave about 5-10% only for good sit-down service. Say the total you want to pay when the card runs, because many terminals have no tip screen. Large American-style tips feel out of place.

Brazil

A 10% taxa de servico is commonly printed on restaurant and bar bills, and paying it is the local thank-you. Extra tipping beyond that line is optional. The charge is voluntary under Brazilian consumer rules, so you can ask for removal if service was poor. When no charge appears, leave about 10%.

United Arab Emirates

Tipping is customary in the UAE hospitality scene, though not legally required. Many restaurants add a service charge (often ~10%) plus tourism fees; if no charge is on the bill, 10-15% is the usual tip. When service charge is already included, a modest extra tip to staff (about 5-10% or a few dirhams) is optional. AED is preferred for tips.

Argentina

At sit-down restaurants, about 10% is the standard tip for good service, and it is never included on the bill. Cubierto or servicio de mesa is a cover charge, not your tip. Hand cash in pesos when you can. Card tips are increasingly available, but ask to add the tip before paying.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, staff are paid fair minimum wages, so tipping is not expected. Round up the bill or leave a small amount when you want to show appreciation, but nothing more is required. On public holidays some venues add a 10-15% surcharge, so check the bill before you pay.

Singapore

Tipping in Singapore is not expected. Most sit-down restaurants already include a 10% service charge, and GST is added on top. Leaving extra is optional and usually limited to small cash amounts.

Albania

At sit-down restaurants, 5-10% is a polite thank-you for good service, but tipping stays optional. Smaller cafés and taxis usually need only a round-up in lek. Check the bill first and remember VAT is not a tip.

Algeria

Tipping is appreciated in Algeria, but it is not mandatory. In restaurants, 5-10% is common for good service, while taxis and casual cafes usually just round up.

American Samoa

Tipping is not customary or expected in American Samoa. Unlike mainland U.S. dining, local guides say leave nothing beyond the posted bill. A small USD thank-you for standout service is optional, never required.

Andorra

Tipping is optional. Round up everyday bills, or leave about 5-10% for very good sit-down service. Taxis need only a small euro round-up. IGI on the bill is VAT, not a tip.

Angola

Tipping is appreciated in Angola but not mandatory. Leave 5-10% at restaurants when no service charge appears. Check the bill first, tip in kwanza cash, and round up taxis.

Anguilla

A service charge is commonly added to restaurant and hotel bills in Anguilla, and local resorts note it is required by law on rooms and food. Extra tipping is discretionary. If no service charge is listed, leave 15-20% for good service.

Antigua and Barbuda

At resorts and sit-down restaurants, 10-15% is common, but check the bill first. Many places already add a 10% service charge, and sales tax (ABST) is not a tip. USD is widely accepted alongside East Caribbean dollars.

Armenia

Tipping in Armenia is appreciated but not required. In Yerevan restaurants and cafés, round up or leave 5-10% for good service. Check the bill for a service charge first — when one is listed, extra cash is optional. Prefer cash so the tip reaches staff.

Aruba

Tipping is not mandatory in Aruba, but it is appreciated. Many restaurants add a 10-15% service charge, and extra tipping for your server is optional.

Austria

In Austria, restaurant service is already included in the bill, so a large tip on top is not expected. Round up to the next euro for everyday meals, or leave 5-10% when service stood out. Cash is preferred, and hand it to staff when you settle the bill.

Azerbaijan

Tipping is appreciated in Azerbaijan, but it is not compulsory. In restaurants, 5-10% is common when service is good, while taxis usually just round up.

Bahamas

Many restaurants already add a 15% gratuity, so check the bill before leaving more. If nothing is included, 15-20% is standard for sit-down meals. USD is used everywhere, so keep small bills for bartenders, porters, and taxi drivers.

Bahrain

Tipping is not mandatory in Bahrain, but it is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, around 10-15% is reasonable when no service charge is already on the bill, while taxis and ride-hailing usually just round up.

Bangladesh

Tipping is appreciated in Bangladesh, but it is usually based on small cash amounts rather than strict percentages. In better restaurants, 5-10% is common, while taxis and ride apps usually just round up.

Barbados

Tipping in Barbados usually follows what is on the bill: a 10–15% service charge is often included at restaurants and hotels. If it is included, you typically do not need to add more; if it is not included, leaving around 10% is customary.

Belarus

At mid-range restaurants, leave 5-10% in cash when service was good. Tips stay voluntary under local rules with no fixed legal rate, so round up cafes, bars, and taxis, check hotel bills for a service charge before adding more, and keep small BYN notes ready.

Belize

Tipping is customary in Belize, especially in tourist areas. Around 10% is standard in restaurants, but always check the bill first because some places already include a service charge.

Benin

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Benin. At mid-range and upscale restaurants in Cotonou, leave 5-10% when no service charge appears. Maquis tip lighter with a small XOF round-up.

Bermuda

Most restaurants add a 15-17% gratuity automatically. Check before tipping again. If none is listed, 15-20% is standard. BMD and USD are accepted one-to-one.

Bhutan

Tipping is not expected in restaurants in Bhutan, where a 10% service charge is usually included. Guides and drivers, however, are commonly tipped at the end of the trip.

Bolivia

Tipping is appreciated in Bolivia but not mandatory. Around 10% is common in restaurants for good service, while taxis and casual service usually just round up.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tipping is appreciated but never required. At restaurants, rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good service is common. Hand cash directly when you can, and taxis need only a small round-up in convertible marks.