Restaurant Tipping in Europe.
SHIFT your mindset.
If you’re American, it’s hard to imagine dining out without tipping 15-20% of the bill, or even more for extraordinary service. This makes sense—the majority of restaurant servers in the U.S. earn wages far less than the federal or state minimum (some make less than $3 per hour!), because gratuities are expected.
Tipping etiquette isn’t quite as simple in Europe. Although tipping customs vary by country (more on that below), there are a few universal guidelines to keep in mind.
Most countries pay waitstaff at least the minimum wage.
It’s common for restaurants to include a 10-15% service charge as part of the total bill. If you are unsure whether service is included, do not hesitate to ask.
Regardless of whether a service charge is included, you should always tip a server who provides top notch service that impresses you, particularly if you are in a fine dining establishment.
Tipping in cash (even if you pay the bill by credit card) is the norm. Do your best to hand the tip directly to your server, rather than leave it sitting on your table.
If you’re paying in cash while dining somewhere casual like a cafe, it’s customary in most countries to round up to the nearest Euro.
You never need to tip at self-service, fast casual restaurants.
Keep in mind that many Europeans do not tip at all unless the service is extraordinary.
Bottom line: don’t stress, but do read on for our definitive country-by-country guide to tipping.
The definitive tipping guide.
ALBANIA. Optional, but it’s customary to round up when paying in cash, or to tip 10-15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
ANDORRA. Optional, but it’s customary to round up when paying in cash, or to tip 5-10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
AUSTRIA. A service charge will typically be included, but tip 10-15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
BELARUS. Tip 5-10%.
BELGIUM. A 10-15% service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
BOSNIA + HERZEGOVINA. Optional, but it’s customary to round up when paying in cash, or to tip 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
BULGARIA. Tip 10%, or more for excellent service and/or fine dining.
CROATIA. A service charge will typically be included, but tip 10-15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
CYPRUS. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
CZECH REPUBLIC. Tip 10-15%.
DENMARK. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
ESTONIA. It is not customary to tip, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
FINLAND. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
FRANCE. A service charge (service compris) will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
GERMANY. A service charge will typically be included, but it is customary to tip an additional 5-10%.
GREECE. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
HUNGARY. A service charge (szervízdíj) will typically be included, but tip 10-15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
ICELAND. It is not customary to tip.
IRELAND. A service charge will typically be included, but tip 10-15% if not included.
ITALY. A service charge (servizio) will typically be included, but tip 10-15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
LATVIA. A service charge will typically be included, but tip 10% if not included.
LIECHTENSTEIN. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
LITHUANIA. It is not customary to tip, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
LUXEMBOURG. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
MALTA. Tip 10% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
MOLDOVA. Tip 5-10% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
MONACO. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
MONTENEGRO. Tip 10% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
NETHERLANDS. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
NORTH MACEDONIA. Tip 10-15% for excellent service unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
NORWAY. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
POLAND. Tip 10-15%.
PORTUGAL. Tip 10% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
ROMANIA. Tip 10-15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
SAN MARINO. Tip 5-10% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
SERBIA. Tip 10% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
SLOVAKIA. Tip 10-15% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
SLOVENIA. Tip 10-15% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
SPAIN. It’s customary to round up when paying in cash, or to tip 5-10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
SWEDEN. A service charge will typically be included, but tip up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
SWITZERLAND. A service charge will always be included, but it is customary to add up to 10% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
TURKEY. It is not customary to tip, but tip up to 15% for excellent service and/or fine dining.
UKRAINE. Tip 5-10%.
UNITED KINGDOM. Tip 10-15% unless the service charge is already included in your bill.
