Tipping in Europe
Europe at a glance
- In much of Western and Northern Europe, tipping is optional and rounding up is often enough.
- Across Southern and Southeast Europe, small restaurant tips are more common.
- In many Central and Eastern European destinations, around 5–10% is customary for good restaurant service.
- Check the bill before tipping extra, especially where a service charge may already be included.
See all 47 European destinations on the interactive world tipping map.
Western Europe
Tipping is not obligatory. In several countries service is included in the bill; elsewhere rounding up or leaving a small tip is common.
AustriaIn 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.
BelgiumService 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.
FranceService 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.
GermanySay 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.
LiechtensteinTipping 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.
LuxembourgService 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.
MonacoService 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.
NetherlandsService 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.
SwitzerlandService 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.
Northern Europe
Similar to Western Europe: service included, rounding common. In the UK and Ireland a small tip in restaurants is more common than in Scandinavia.
DenmarkService 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%.
FinlandTipping 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.
GreenlandIn 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.
IcelandTipping 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.
IrelandAbout 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.
NorwayWages 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.
SwedenTipping 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.
United KingdomMany 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.
Baltic States
Tipping norms are evolving. In Estonia tipping is generally not expected; in Latvia rounding up is common; in Lithuania tips are more customary. Service charge is rarely included.
EstoniaTipping 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.
LatviaTipping is optional. Round up everyday bills, or leave about 10% for good sit-down service. Some tourist restaurants add a service charge, so check before.
LithuaniaTipping is appreciated but modest, closer to mainland Europe than US rates. Round up everyday bills, or leave about 5-10% for good sit-down service. Card.
Southern Europe
Rounding up or leaving a small tip (5–10%) is common in restaurants. Service may be included in some places, so check the bill.
AndorraTipping 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.
CroatiaTipping 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.
CyprusOptional 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.
GreeceCheck 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.
ItalyTipping 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.
MaltaTipping 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.
- Northern Cyprus
Around 5-10% in restaurants when servis is not already on the bill. Leave restaurant tips in cash Turkish lira. Card terminals rarely offer a tip line.
PortugalTipping 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.
San MarinoTipping 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.
SpainTipping 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.
Vatican CityRules mirror Rome because almost everything visitors use is inside Italian territory. Service (servizio) is often included on restaurant bills. Leave 5-10% or.
Southeast Europe & Turkey
Rounding up is common across the Balkans. In Turkey tipping is more customary, with around 10% at restaurants being standard. Local currency is usually preferred.
AlbaniaAt 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.
Bosnia and HerzegovinaTipping 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.
KosovoTipping 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.
MontenegroTipping 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.
North MacedoniaTipping 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.
SerbiaAbout 10% is common at sit-down restaurants for good service, though tipping stays modest overall. Cafes and taxis need only a small round-up in dinars. Card.
SloveniaTipping is optional. Round up everyday bills, or leave about 5-10% for good sit-down service. Bars, cafes, and taxis need only a small euro round-up. Cash is.
TurkeyAbout 10% is the usual thank-you at sit-down restaurants. Bahsis is voluntary. Mandatory service, kuver, or table fees are banned, so refuse surprise add-ons.
Central & Eastern Europe
Tipping is more customary than in the north and west. Around 10% at restaurants is common. Local currency is often preferred.
BulgariaAbout 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.
Czech RepublicAbout 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.
GeorgiaTipping 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.
HungaryAlways check the bill for szervizdij before leaving extra. If a service charge is already listed, you do not need to add more. Without one, about 10-15% is the.
MoldovaTipping 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.
PolandTell 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.
RomaniaAt 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.
UkraineTipping is not traditionally expected in Ukraine, but it is becoming more common in tourist-facing restaurants. Around 10% is generous in sit-down restaurants,.