Tipping rules by country

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. Round up to the nearest krone if you want to say thanks, or leave a few kroner for outstanding service. Card terminals may prompt for a tip, but it is entirely optional.

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 deeply woven into travel here. Budget for small cash tips throughout the day. At restaurants, plan on 10-15% even when a service charge appears on the bill, because it may not reach your server. Carry small EGP notes for guides, drivers, 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.

Estonia

Tipping stays optional because service is included in most bills. At restaurants, 5-10% is mainly for very good meals. Bars, cafes, and taxi rides usually need only a small round-up in euros.

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.

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 the bill, so most people only round up to the nearest euro. Leave a small extra only when the meal or the help genuinely stood out.

Georgia

Tipping is appreciated in Georgia, but it is usually modest. Around 10% is common in restaurants for good service, while 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.

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.

Greenland

In Greenland, tipping is not expected. Visit Greenland notes that 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.

Guatemala

Tipping is optional in Guatemala, but 10% is common in restaurants. Always check the bill first, because some places already include a service charge or "propina".

Haiti

Most Haitians do not tip; tipping is customary in tourist locations and graciously accepted. About 10% in restaurants; hotel bills often include 10% tax and 5% service charge—you can still tip porters and housekeeping in cash.

Honduras

Tipping is optional in Honduras, but around 10% is common in restaurants. Always check the bill first, because some places already include a service charge or "servicio".

Hong Kong

At most restaurants, a 10% service charge is already on the bill, so extra tipping is optional. Round up or leave a little cash when service went above and beyond. Casual local cafes and quick noodle shops rarely expect anything on top.

Hungary

Always check the bill for szervizdij before leaving extra. If a service charge is already listed, you do not need to add more. Without one, 10% is a fair thank-you at restaurants and rounding up works in taxis.

Iceland

Tipping is not expected in Iceland. Service is already included in prices, so most people only round up or leave a small extra for exceptional service.

India

Tipping is customary in India, but not mandatory. Tip about 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and check the bill before leaving extra.

Indonesia

Tipping is not expected in Indonesia, but it is common in Bali and other tourist areas. Service charge is often already on the bill, so extra tipping is usually small and discretionary.

Ireland

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Ireland. In sit-down restaurants, around 10% is common for good service when a service charge is not already included, while pubs, taxis, and casual situations usually just round up or leave a small extra.

Israel

Restaurants and bars usually expect 10-15% when no service charge is printed. Taxi rides need only a small round-up, if anything. Cash is welcome at sit-down meals, and check the bill before adding more.

Jamaica

Leave 10-15% at sit-down restaurants, and always check the bill first. A 10-15% gratuity is often already included at resorts and tourist spots. Keep USD or JMD cash handy for porters, drivers, and tour guides.

Jordan

Tipping is customary in Jordan. In restaurants, 5-10% is common if service charge is not already on the bill, while private drivers and tour guides are often tipped separately.

Kazakhstan

Tipping is not traditionally expected in Kazakhstan, but it is appreciated in upscale restaurants and tourist services. In restaurants, 5-10% is generous, while taxis usually just round up.

Kenya

Tipping is customary in Kenya, especially in tourism. In cities, restaurants often tip 10-15%, while safari guides, lodge staff, and drivers follow their own separate tipping patterns.

Kosovo

Tipping is optional in Kosovo, but it is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, many people round up or leave around 5-10%, while cafes and taxis usually just round up.

Kuwait

Tipping in Kuwait is discretionary but common. A 15% service charge is often included at hotels or for large dinners; otherwise, around 10% is appropriate.

Kyrgyzstan

Tipping is not expected in Kyrgyzstan, but rounding up is appreciated in nicer restaurants and for good service. Trekking guides and horse handlers may receive more when service is excellent.

Laos

Tipping is not expected in Laos, but it is appreciated in tourist areas like Luang Prabang. In restaurants, rounding up is common, and around 10% is mostly for upscale places with no service charge.

Latvia

Tipping is not obligatory in Latvia, but it is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, 10% is generous, while cafes, bars, and taxis usually just round up.

Lebanon

Tipping is customary in Lebanon; service staff are often underpaid. At restaurants leave 10-15%; the 11% VAT on the bill is not the tip. Cash preferred; USD is widely accepted alongside LBP.

Liechtenstein

Tipping is not obligatory in Liechtenstein. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants. Salaries are adequate so tips are a gesture of goodwill. Similar to Switzerland. Tip in CHF.

Lithuania

Tipping is customary in Lithuanian restaurants, where 5-10% is common for good service. In bars and taxis, tipping is lighter and often just means rounding up.

Luxembourg

Service is included in most bills, so tipping stays optional. Most locals round up or leave 5-10% only when restaurant service was outstanding. Pay in euros and hand cash directly when you do tip.

Madagascar

Tipping is not mandatory in Madagascar and not institutionalized. Around 10% is common in restaurants for good service, while guides and porters usually receive small fixed cash tips.

Malaysia

Tipping is not expected. A 10% service charge is often already on the bill at hotels and restaurants ("++" with tax), so extra cash is usually small and discretionary. Hawker stalls and casual local spots rarely expect anything on top.

Maldives

Tipping in the Maldives is optional. By law, tourism establishments add a 10% service charge (distributed among staff). Extra cash is mainly for direct recognition of excellent service — not another full percentage tip.

Malta

Tipping is customary but not mandatory in Malta. In restaurants, around 5% is a common local tip for good service, while 5-10% is more typical in tourist areas or for especially good service.

Moldova

Tipping is becoming more common in Moldova, especially in sit-down restaurants. Around 5-10% is standard for good service, while cafés and taxis usually just round up.

Monaco

Service is built into most bills, matching French-style customs just across the border. Round up or leave a few euros only when service felt exceptional. Pay direct tips in euros at luxury venues only if you choose to.

Mongolia

Tipping is not customary in Mongolia, but it is appreciated in tourist-facing restaurants and tours. In restaurants, 5-10% is generous, while taxis usually just round up.

Montenegro

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

Myanmar

Tipping is not traditional in daily life. An optional 10% or small cash tip in kyat (MMK) is fine at restaurants for good service, but tour guides and drivers appreciate tips more consistently than cafés or shops.

Namibia

Tipping is customary in Namibia. In restaurants, 10-15% is common for good service, while safari guides and lodge staff are usually tipped separately at the end of a stay.

Nepal

Tipping is modest in Nepal outside tourism, but it is customary for trekking guides and porters. In restaurants, service charge is often already included, so extra tipping is usually small.

Nicaragua

Tipping is customary in Nicaragua, but it is voluntary. Around 10% is common in tourist restaurants, and you should check the bill before adding extra.

Nigeria

Tipping is customary in Nigerian upscale restaurants, hotels, and tourist services, though not as rigid as in the US and less common in casual local eateries. In restaurants, 5-10% is appreciated for good service when no service charge is listed; taxis usually only round up.

North Macedonia

Tipping is optional in North Macedonia, but it is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, around 10% is common, while cafes and taxis usually just round up.