Tipping rules by country

Norway

Wages are high and prices already reflect service, so tipping is never required. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% is a quiet thank-you for standout restaurant meals. Taxi rides need only the nearest crown or nothing at all.

Oman

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

Pakistan

Tipping is not obligatory in Pakistan, and larger hotels and restaurants often already add a 10% service charge. Otherwise, people usually round up or leave a small cash tip for good service.

Panama

Around 10% is typical at sit-down restaurants when no service charge appears on the bill. Tipping is customary but never mandatory. Check the total first and add a little extra in cash only when service felt worth it.

Papua New Guinea

Tipping is not customary in Papua New Guinea. Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges; it is not common to tip waiters. If you tip round up 5-10% or small kina amounts. Some locals say tipping can create jealousy; tip discreetly if you do.

Paraguay

Tipping is optional in Paraguay, but it is appreciated for good service. Around 10% is common in sit-down restaurants, while taxis usually just round up.

Peru

Around 10% is a fair thank-you at tourist-oriented restaurants when no service charge is listed. Check the bill first because 10-15% may already be included. Local casual eateries and taxi rides usually need only a small round-up in soles.

Philippines

Tipping is not required in the Philippines, but it is appreciated, especially in tourism and hospitality. A 10% service charge is common in restaurants and hotels, and if it is already on the bill, any extra tip is optional.

Poland

Tell the server the final total you want to pay when settling in cash, not just the bill amount. Around 10% is a fair thank-you at restaurants, with tourist areas sometimes expecting a bit more. Round up in taxis and casual bars.

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.

Qatar

Tipping is customary in Qatar hospitality, though not legally required. Visit Qatar notes that a 10-15% tip as a gesture of satisfaction is appreciated; many outlets already add a service charge (often not passed fully to staff). If no charge is on the bill, leave about 10-15%. With service charge, an optional 5-10% cash tip to staff is appropriate. QAR preferred; avoid small coins.

Romania

At sit-down restaurants, locals usually leave 10-15% because service is not included on most bills. Cash works best for small tips, though card tipping is common too. Counter service and casual spots often need much less than a full restaurant tip.

Rwanda

Tipping is appreciated in Rwanda, especially in tourism. In restaurants, around 10% is common for good service, while gorilla trekking and lodge tipping are usually handled separately.

Saint Lucia

Tipping is discretionary in Saint Lucia. Around 10% is common for restaurants and taxis, but if a service charge is already on the bill you usually do not need to tip more.

San Marino

Tipping is not compulsory in San Marino, and customs are broadly similar to nearby Italy. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving a small extra is common, while around 10% is mainly for notably good service.

Saudi Arabia

Tipping is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia, but small tips are appreciated for good service. In restaurants, 10-15% is mainly for very good service, while taxis and ride-hailing usually just round up.

Senegal

Tipping is appreciated in Senegal, but it is not mandatory. Larger hotels and restaurants often already include a 10-15% service charge, while taxis usually just round up.

Serbia

Around 10% is common at restaurants when service was good, but tipping stays optional overall. Cafés and taxis usually need only a small round-up. Hand cash directly when you can.

Seychelles

Tipping is not expected in Seychelles, but small extras are appreciated in resorts and for good personal service. Service charge is often already included in restaurant and hotel bills.

Slovenia

Tipping is optional in Slovenia. In restaurants, many people simply round up, while 5-10% is appreciated for good service. In bars, cafés, and taxis, a small round-up is usually enough.

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.

Sri Lanka

A 10% service charge is common in Sri Lanka and is typically distributed to staff. Extra tipping is optional: about 5-10% when no service charge appears, or a small cash thank-you when it does. Round up taxis and tuk-tuks.

Sweden

Tipping is not expected in Sweden. Most people round up to the nearest krona for everyday service, and 5-10% is reserved for genuinely outstanding sit-down meals. Wages are high, so nothing extra is required to be polite.

Taiwan

Tipping is not expected. Many hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill, so nothing extra is required. Extra cash can confuse staff. Round up or leave a little only when service went above and beyond and no charge is listed.

Tajikistan

Tipping is not traditionally expected in Tajikistan, but it is appreciated in tourist services. In restaurants, service charge is sometimes already included, while taxis usually just round up.

Tanzania

Tipping is customary in Tanzania, but city tipping is lighter than safari and Zanzibar tipping. In restaurants, 5-10% is common if no service charge is included, while safari guides and lodge staff are usually tipped separately.

Trinidad and Tobago

Tipping is common in Trinidad and Tobago, but many hotels and restaurants already include a 10% or 15% service charge. If service is not included, around 10% is standard in restaurants.

Tunisia

Tipping is appreciated in Tunisia, especially in tourist areas. Around 10% is common in restaurants, while taxis and casual places usually just round up or leave a few dinars.

Turkey

Around 10% is the usual thank-you at sit-down restaurants when no service charge is listed. Cafes, bars, and taxi rides need only a small round-up in lira. Hand cash directly when you want staff to keep the full amount.

Uganda

Tipping is appreciated in Uganda, especially in tourism. In restaurants, 5-10% is common for good service, while safari and gorilla trekking tips are usually handled separately from everyday city tipping.

Ukraine

Tipping is not traditionally expected in Ukraine, but it is becoming more common in tourist-facing restaurants. Around 10% is generous in sit-down restaurants, while cafes and taxis usually just round up.

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.

Uruguay

Tipping is customary but not mandatory in Uruguay. Around 10% is typical in restaurants for good service, while rounding up or leaving a small extra is more common in bars, taxis, and other everyday situations.

Uzbekistan

Tipping is not expected in Uzbekistan. In tourist restaurants, rounding up or a small extra for good service is appreciated, but most local places do not expect a tip.

Vatican City

Rules mirror Rome because almost everything visitors use is inside Italian territory. Service (servizio) is often included on restaurant bills. Leave 5-10% or round up where tipping is accepted. Do not tip Swiss Guards. Pay tips in euros.

Venezuela

Restaurant tips of about 10% are voluntary but appreciated. Almost everything runs on USD cash. Carry small bills because change is scarce and card payments often fail. Check the bill for any service charge before adding extra.

Vietnam

Tipping is optional in Vietnam, but it is appreciated in tourist areas. In restaurants, 5-10% is common for good service if no service charge is included, while taxis and Grab usually just round up. Private day drivers often get 100000-200000 VND per day.

Zambia

Tipping is voluntary but appreciated in Zambia. In restaurants, around 10% is common if no service charge is included, while safari guides and lodge staff are usually tipped separately at the end of your stay.

Zimbabwe

Tipping is customary but discretionary in Zimbabwe. In restaurants, 10-15% is common for good service, while safari guides and lodge staff are usually tipped separately in USD.