Tipping rules by country

Botswana

Tipping is voluntary in Botswana. In cities, about 10% is common in restaurants and small change is enough in bars and taxis, while safari guides and camp staff are usually tipped separately.

British Virgin Islands

Most resort restaurants add a 10-15% service charge. Check before tipping again. If none is listed, 15-20% is standard. Extra cash is optional for outstanding service.

Brunei

Tipping is not customary in Brunei. Large hotels and restaurants often add a 10% service charge, so check the bill before leaving more. Round up only when service felt worth a thank-you.

Bulgaria

About 10% is the local restaurant tip for good service, and many people simply round up at cafes and taxis. Check the bill for a service charge before adding more. Card terminals in tourist spots may default to 15%. Locals skip that prompt or leave cash at about 10% instead. Cash tips still reach staff more reliably than screen prompts.

Burundi

Tips are welcomed but not required in Burundi. At sit-down restaurants, leave 5-10% when service was good and no service line appears. Carry small BIF notes for hotel help and guides, and treat guide tips as a thank-you on top of the booked price.

Cabo Verde

Tipping is optional in Cabo Verde. Without a service charge, 5-10% at tourist restaurants is a polite thank-you. Round up taxis in escudos, and keep small CVE notes for hotel staff.

Cambodia

Tipping is not expected in daily life. Small cash tips show up mainly in tourist areas for hotel staff, guides, and tuk-tuk drivers. Round up at restaurants when you want to say thanks, but street food stalls need nothing extra.

Cameroon

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Cameroon. At mid-range and upscale restaurants, leave 5-10% when no service charge appears. Chop houses and street food tip lighter with a small XAF round-up.

Cayman Islands

Most restaurant bills already include a 15-20% gratuity. Check before adding more. If none is listed, 15-20% is standard. Extra cash is optional for outstanding service.

Chad

Tips are appreciated but not required in Chad. At mid-range restaurants, round up the bill or leave a modest cash tip when service was good. Carry small XAF notes for hotel help and guides, and treat daily guide tips as a thank-you, not a hire fee.

Chile

Table-service restaurants suggest about 10% propina on the bill, and you may accept, reduce, or decline it. The suggestion is required by labour rules, but the tip itself is voluntary. Card terminals ask about propina before the charge clears. Counter service rarely needs anything. Taxis tip with a simple round-up.

China

On the mainland, tipping is not expected in everyday restaurants, bars, or taxis. Check upscale bills for a 10-15% service charge before adding anything. Private tour guides may accept 50-100 CNY per day; international hotels may take a small cash thank-you — refusals are normal.

Colombia

At sit-down restaurants, staff ask whether to add a 10% propina before the final bill. Most locals say yes for good service. You can decline or change the amount. By law a suggested tip cannot exceed 10%. Taxis and casual spots tip lighter with a round-up.

Comoros

Tipping in the Comoros is soft and not a strong local custom. At mid-range Moroni restaurants, leave 5-10% when no service charge appears. Simple snacks and markets tip lighter with a small KMF round-up.

Cook Islands

Tipping is not customary in the Cook Islands. Prices already include VAT, so leave nothing on the bill unless you want a personal thank-you for standout service.

Costa Rica

A 10% service charge is included in restaurant bills by law, so an extra tip is optional. Leave 5-10% more only when service was genuinely outstanding. Tour guides and drivers often appreciate a little cash on top.

Côte d'Ivoire

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

Croatia

Tipping is customary in Croatia, but it is usually modest. Around 10% is common in restaurants for good service, while cafes, bars, and taxis often just round up.

Cuba

Tipping is customary in tourist areas and meaningfully helps staff on modest state wages. Leave about 10% in restaurants when no service charge is listed. Bars and taxis tip lighter with small cash or a round-up. Prefer small USD or euro notes for tips. Cards are unreliable for adding a tip.

Curaçao

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Curaçao. Around 10% is a common guide, but always check the bill because service charge is often not a staff tip.

Cyprus

Optional tipping around 5-10% in restaurants for standout service. A service charge on the bill is not the waiter's tip, and card machines rarely add a tip line.

Czech Republic

About 10% is common at sit-down restaurants for good service. Say the total you want to pay when the bill arrives. Do not leave cash on the table after paying by card. Some tourist spots add an obsluha service charge. Check before adding more. Taxis and pubs tip lighter with a simple round-up.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tipping is appreciated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in restaurants, hotels, and guided travel, but it is not a rigid rule everywhere. In restaurants, around 5-10% is reasonable when no service charge is already on the bill, while taxis usually just round up or agree the fare in advance.

Denmark

Service is included in menu prices by law, so tipping is not expected and staff do not depend on tips. Round up if you want to say thanks, or leave about 10% only for outstanding sit-down service. Card terminals may prompt for a tip. Skipping is fine and normal.

Djibouti

A 10% service charge is already on many restaurant bills in Djibouti, so further tipping is rare and never requested. If no service line appears, leave 500 DJF or 10% for good service. Taxi drivers do not expect tips; on day trips, leave 5-10% of the excursion cost for guide, driver, or boat crew when service was solid.

Dominica

Many hotels and restaurants in Dominica add a 10% service charge. Extra tipping is discretionary. If no service charge is listed, leave 10-15% for good service.

Dominican Republic

Tipping is expected in the Dominican Republic. A 10% "propina legal" is often already on the bill, and it is common to leave about 10% extra for good service.

Ecuador

In Ecuador, many restaurant bills already include a 10% "servicio". Extra tipping is optional, and around 10% is only typical when that service charge is not already included.

Egypt

Tipping is expected and woven into travel here. Budget for small cash tips throughout the day. At restaurants, plan on 10-15% even when a service charge appears, because that line may not reach your server. Carry small EGP notes for guides, drivers, site help, and Nile cruise staff separately.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, tipping is modest. Many restaurant bills already include a 10% service charge, so people often add extra cash only for very good service when nothing was added to the check.

Equatorial Guinea

Tips are appreciated but not required. At sit-down restaurants, leave 5-10% when no service charge appears. Round up taxis for good service, and plan 5000-10000 XAF per day for a strong guide or driver.

Eritrea

Hotels and restaurants in Eritrea add a 10% service charge on many bills, so further tipping is optional. If no service line appears, round up or leave 5-10% for standout restaurant service. Taxi drivers are not tipped; hotel staff tip only for special help; guides get a modest cash thank-you.

Estonia

Tipping is optional and not compulsory. Round up everyday bills, and leave about 5-10% only for very good sit-down service. Card terminals may offer a tip prompt. Skipping or leaving a small amount is both fine. Bars, cafes, and taxis need just a small euro round-up.

Eswatini

Tipping in Eswatini is customary in tourist restaurants and for guides, though still softer than full South African safari norms. At mid-range spots, leave 10% when no service charge appears. Simple eateries tip lighter with a small SZL or ZAR round-up.

Ethiopia

Tipping is appreciated in Ethiopia, especially in cities and tourist areas. Around 10% is common in restaurants, while taxis and casual cafes usually just round up or leave a small cash tip.

Falkland Islands

Tipping is not part of Falkland Islands culture and is never required. Pay the posted bill in Stanley restaurants unless service stood out, then 10-15% is a common thank-you. Check larger-group bills for a gratuity already added. FKP and GBP both work 1:1.

Faroe Islands

Service is already included in Faroe Islands prices. Extra tipping is never required. Round up or leave a little cash only when service felt outstanding, especially in Tórshavn restaurants.

Federated States of Micronesia

Tipping is not customary in the Federated States of Micronesia. Hospitality is offered freely, and tips are never expected. Leave a small USD thank-you only when service stood out — boat captains, dive crews, and hotel staff included.

Fiji

Tipping is not expected in Fiji. Service charge is often already included, and modest tips are mainly for exceptional service in resorts and tourist areas.

Finland

Tipping is not expected. Service is included in every bill, and staff earn living wages under collective agreements. Round up to a neat euro amount if you want to say thanks, or leave a couple of euros only when service stood out. Card terminals may ask for a tip. Skipping is fine and normal.

French Guiana

Service is already included on French Guiana bills under French rules. Extra tipping is never required. Round up meals in Cayenne, and tip jungle guides in cash euros after the day.

French Polynesia

Tipping is not expected in French Polynesia. Since 2007, a service charge is included in hotel and restaurant prices and shared with staff. Taxi round-ups are optional thank-yous, not requirements.

Gabon

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

Gambia

Tipping is customary but not mandatory in The Gambia. At tourist restaurants, leave 10% when no service charge appears on the bill. Local eateries tip lighter; taxis mostly need a round-up in dalasi.

Georgia

Tipping is appreciated but modest. Leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service when no service charge appears. Cafes and taxis often just round up or leave a small cash tip.

Ghana

Tipping in Ghana is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, 5-10% is common in upscale places, while taxis and everyday services usually just round up or leave a few cedis.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar follows British tipping habits. Many restaurants add an 8-12% service charge, so read the bill before adding more. Leave about 10% only when no charge appears.

Greenland

In Greenland, tipping is not expected. Prices already include tips and gratuity. Round up or leave about 5-10% only when service went above and beyond. On expedition boats and in remote towns, a cash thank-you is appreciated but never required.