Europe is one of the best tourist spots in the world, but its culture and etiquette practices are quite different, which may be confusing initially. So it is natural to wonder whether or not you should tip in Europe while planning a visit here.
Therefore, we provide an in-depth guide on the tipping etiquette followed in European countries. So let’s not waste time and start!
Do You Tip in Europe?
Tipping is usually giving away an extra amount of money than the standard amount to a service provider. It is typically done to ‘thank’ or ‘praise’ them for the service.
Tipping is considered polite in most countries but is an insult in some Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea.
Tipping in European countries is just a courtesy and is not compulsory, as the service charge is included in most European restaurants.
Unlike the U.S., where the hospitality staff earns money through tips, most European nations take care of the hospitality sector with a monthly salary and even a paid vacation. So, they are not entirely dependent on tip money.
We all know that Europe is home to popular tourist attractions, and if you plan to tour Europe, it is natural to get confused about their tipping culture.
But there is no need to worry as their service industry is well-trained to handle foreign tourists who might not know about their culture.
So, given below is a guide on the do’s and don’ts of the tipping culture in various European countries to avoid awkward situations!
Quick Tip: As EU countries are part of the European Union, the Euro is the standard currency. So, it would be best to have Euro currency as other European countries like the U.K. have pounds as their currency.
Tipping in the UK
So, where should you tip in the UK, and where should you not tip? Better know from before:
1. Transportation
If you take black cabs in the U.K., you must tip the driver. You can pay for the utmost 10% of your total fare if the ride is metered.
2. Hotels
It would be best if you tipped hotel workers depending on the service. But the service providers won’t expect them unless they do extra assistance.
Furthermore, while arriving at the hotel, you may tip hotel employees 1 to 10 pounds, or even more, depending on the hospitality.
3. Restaurant and Cafe
When eating out, 10% is the standard tip rate in U.K. restaurants. Restaurants and coffee shops usually charge a service fee of 12-15%, and you need not leave extra euros if any cover charge is mentioned.
Some restaurants also have a tipping jar on the counter, and it is up to you whether to leave behind an extra tip.
4. Bars and Pubs
In the U.K., giving extra money to bars is unnecessary as the bartender will give back the change. But if you want to tip the bartenders, you can ask them to keep the change.
Moreover, with the emergence of gastropubs in the U.K., giving the waiters a few euros is a good rule.
5. Salons and Spa Services
When receiving a spa, you must give at least one euro to your hairstylist. Though tipping in a salon is uncommon, doing so reflects excellent and proper manners.
6. Tour Guides
Tipping a tour guide in the U.K. is not mandatory, but appreciated. Give a cash tip of 10 to 15% of the tour cost to thank your guide for good service; the price depends on the group size.
Tipping in France
Visiting France? So, better go plan about where to tip in France and where to not:
1. Transportation
Tipping taxi drivers in France is not compulsory, but you can leave up to 5% or round up the nearest euro.
You should pay 5 to 10% of the total fare if hiring private chauffeurs.
2. Hotels
It is a common practice to tip the hotel staff in France for availing their services. So you can list them 2 to 10 euros, depending on your budget.
3. Restaurants and Cafes
15% is the standard service charge for waiters in France and is called ‘service compris‘. As they are already covered in your restaurant bills, you need not give them a few euros. Besides you can pay them a few euros for excellent service.
4. Bars and Pubs
A 15% charge is included in your bills to pay the bartenders, which is quite the same as in restaurants. So, paying them a few euros is not obligatory, but you can do it.
5. Salon and Spa Services
In addition to the amount paid for the service, it is mandatory to tip in French spas and salons. So you should leave behind a tip of 5 to 10% for the service provided.
6. Tour Guides
A good rule of thumb is to pay your tour guide 2 to 5 euros a day as a token of thanks for showing you around. Likewise, the tipping amount depends on the group size.
Tipping in Italy
Italy, too, has some distinctions when it comes to tipping:
1. Transportation
Taxi drivers do not expect any tips in Italy. So you need not give them directions, as they will be surprised. However, you can tip a small amount if they assist you somehow.
2. Hotels
It is not customary to tip in Italian hotels because of the service charge facility. But a certain amount of tips must be given to the hotel employees depending on the budget.
So make sure you tip 1 to 10 euros to the wait staff.
3. Restaurants and Cafes
While eating at more excellent restaurants or cafes, you might notice that Italians will tip only for exemplary service because a service charge is included in the bill.
However, servers prefer when you leave a few euros or can ask them to keep the change.
4. Bars and Pubs
You need not give an extra euro to the bartender while drinking in bars because tipping in Italy is uncommon. But leaving behind two to three euros is a nice gesture when you get table service.
5. Salon and Spa Services
Salon service people in Italy do not expect any tips for offering services. When you want to thank them for exceptional service, you can tip 10% of the total cost.
6. Tour Guides
A tour guide in Italy should always be tipped whether you are on a free or paid tour. You must decide on the amount depending on your group size.
Tipping in Germany
Check out the following places where you must or must not tip in Germany:
1. Transportation
As Germany‘s tipping culture is similar to other European countries, it is courteous to tip the cab drivers who drive you around the city.
So, depending on the service, leave a small tip or round off the amount.
2. Hotels
It is not mandatory to tip the staff while staying in small-scale hotels; if you wish, you can list them. But you can pay up to 2 to 5 euros if you stay in a more upscale hotel.
3. Restaurants and Cafes
As tipping is considered polite when eating at a restaurant or a cafe, leave behind a tip of 5 to 10% of the bill. You can also give away 15% for those who served you well.
4. Bars and Pubs
While visiting a German bar, tipping is considered generous. So leave behind 5 to 10% of the bill to thank them for serving you.
Also, remember that tipping in bars is similar to tipping in restaurants.
5. Salon and Spa Services
It is customary to tip salon professionals in Germany for giving you their services. So if you want to appreciate them for their hard work, you can leave behind 5 to 10% tips as a token of thanks.
6. Tour Guides
Tour Guides are often underpaid, so it is considered polite to tip them in Germany. A standard tip of 10% can be given to the tour guides at the end of the day to thank them for showing you and your family around.
Tipping in Greece
Know the places where you can tip in Greece:
1. Transportation
Greece’s tipping is quite different from other European countries, and the taxi drivers are unfamiliar with the tipping culture. But you can do it to help them and thank them for their excellent service.
2. Hotels
Though it is not mandatory to tip the employees, listing them is considered polite and appreciating them.
So if you want to, you can pay 2 to 5 euros depending on the budget.
3. Restaurants and Cafes
The staff does not expect tips as your bill includes a service charge. But if you want to, you can leave 1 to 5 euros.
But if there is a service charge already on the bill, you can skip it.
4. Bars and Pubs
Based on the system, tipping in Greek bars varies from place to place. So, if a bartender serves you, you can ask them to keep the change.
5. Salon and Spa Services
So, if you love the hairstylist’s work, you can leave behind up to 5 euros as a token of thanks.
Though it is not mandatory to do so, in salons and spas, tipping them is considered good etiquette.
6. Tour Guides
It is not compulsory to tip the tour guides in Greece. So if you are satisfied with their tour, you can do up to 10 to 15% of the tour’s price, which depends on the group size.
7. Tipping in Spain
Where to tip in Spain:
1. Transportation
In Spain, people don’t pay tips. Instead, they round up the amount or ask the cab drivers to keep the change.
2. Hotels
While checking in hotels in Spain, you can tip a moderate amount to the hotel staff who has helped you.
Usually, you can pay 2 to 5 euros for the housekeeping staff, doormen, waiters, and the porters.
3. Restaurants and Cafes
Whether to tip or not is up to you in a Spanish restaurant. So, you can ask the waiter to keep the change or avoid doing so.
But in upscale restaurants, you have to pay 5% of the total bill.
4. Bars and Pubs
As Spaniards won’t tip in bars and pubs, doing so is rare. So, if you feel like tipping, you can ask the bartender to keep the change.
5. Salon and Spa Services
As salon staff are paid well, you need not tip them. So when you want to thank them, you can leave behind 1 to 2 euros as a tip.
6. Tour Guide
Most tour guides don’t get a fixed income. So, it is considered polite to tip them for showing you around.
You can tip them between 5 and 20 euros; the amount will vary depending on the group size.
Tipping in Switzerland
Know at which places you can tip in Switzerland:
1. Transportation
You can tip 5% of the total fare or ask them to keep the change. Tip 2 to 4 Swiss Francs if the driver helped you during a crisis.
2. Hotels
You can tip 1 to 4 Swiss Francs to the room service waiters and the porters to thank the staff for their hospitality.
3. Restaurants and Cafes
You can round off the amount as tips when dining at a Swiss restaurant. When you order a big meal, try tipping 8 to 10% of the bill, and there is no need to worry if you have smaller meals.
4. Bars and Pubs
Tipping bartenders for fixing up your drink is not a common practice. But if you want to thank them, list 2 to 5 Swiss Francs.
5. Salon and Spa Services
Most salons have a tipping jar to leave behind some tips. So, if you are delighted, you can do it. But no one cares if you pay a specific amount.
6. Tour Guides
As a tour guide works as a freelance employee, you can tip them depending on the group size to thank them for showing you around the city.
So if you want to thank them, tip 10 to 15% depending on the cost of the tour.
Tipping in Scandinavian Countries
Check the places and services where you can tip:
1. Transportation
In Scandinavian countries, tipping drivers depend on the ride time and luggage size. You can consider tipping for longer rides but need not do it for shorter rides with no luggage.
2. Hotels
You don’t have to tip them because the staff are well-paid. So if you want to thank them, you can inform the manager so that the management will reward them.
3. Restaurants and Cafes
Tipping the waiters is not compulsory as they are paid well. So, you need not do it. When you feel like tipping, you can give away 5 to 10% of the bill without burning a hole in your pocket.
4. Bars and Pubs
You don’t need to tip the bartenders as they don’t expect it. Therefore, if they help or give you some suggestions, you can round up the amount.
5. Salon and Spa Services
Salon employees won’t expect a tip from you for doing their job. But you can give away money as a tip in addition to the regular amount. So, if you have any extra service, you can tip more.
6. Tour Guides
Consider tipping them in addition to the nominal amount to show gratitude. You must help them as they are freelance workers with no fixed income. Moreover, the tipping amount depends on the group size.
Key Takeaways
Tipping is nothing but considered a generous activity in recognition of the service they have done to you. Only if the service fulfils you, then go tip!
Tipping in Europe is very much welcomed, and how much to tip and where to tip appropriately have been elaborated in this article.
There is no need to get stressed about tipping because there are no set rules that even Europeans follow. Besides, if you face any problems, don’t hesitate to go to the nearest police station.
We hope your doubts about the tipping etiquette followed in Europe are clear.
Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
This message is to express my gratitude for the informative article you shared. It helped me avoid the embarrassment of tipping unnecessarily or failing to tip when required in Europe. As someone who is from the Eastern block, I found your insights particularly helpful and I’m sure it will benefit others who are planning to travel to Europe in the near future. Once again, thank you for the valuable information.
Mainly, the whole article was helpful in dealing with some of the moments when I got stuck for a while. Should I take something out of my pocket or not? The Europe tour is so enjoyable, but when to give a tip is like a thing that defines your status. I kept reading your article as much as I could grasp the tipping places and the manner of giving them. Thanks for giving me some relief regarding that.
In my opinion, I don’t understand these tip culture. Anyway you have given nice overview for the tip culture in the European countries. This will guide travelers around the world visiting these countries.
This comprehensive guide on tipping etiquette in various European countries is incredibly helpful for travelers. The detailed breakdown for each country, including specific situations like transportation, hotels, restaurants, bars, salons, and tour guides, provides practical insights for tourists.
The article appropriately emphasizes the cultural nuances in tipping practices across Europe, recognizing that it’s not a universal rule and varies from country to country. The inclusion of the local currency, tipping percentages, and specific scenarios for tipping or not tipping adds valuable practical information.
This guide serves as a valuable resource for travelers planning to visit European countries, offering them guidance on navigating the intricacies of tipping and ensuring positive interactions with local service providers.