It’s crucial to find out
about the customs before travelling, and tipping is certainly considered one
among them.
Giving a tip is standard in
Europe, however it’s somehow different in the United States. If you need to
keep away from any confusion or awkwardness, you have to make yourself familiar
with the tipping customs of your destination.
Unlike the United States, in
which gratuities are typical, tipping isn't always as common in most European
countries. In fact, tipping is hardly ever expected from customers unless they
acquire exceptional service.
In most European countries,
tip is already included in the fee of the meal or service or is left on the
customer’s discretion.
In the following, we’ve
gathered all the information you need to calculate how much to tip in European
countries.
🗺️ Spain
Tipping in Spain isn’t mandatory,
which is why customers usually leave without giving a tip in cash or using a
tip platform.
However, even tipping is not
a rule in this country, eating places expect their customers to leave a 10% tip.
In most of the other situations,
many locals determine the amount of the tip based on the type and quality of
the provided service. Don’t forget that a few locations will add the tip to
your bill, so you better check before leaving extra money.
🗺️ Denmark
Since tips are already included
in the final price, they are not expected in Denmark. However, it’s common to
tip about 10% of the bill if the received service is special.
In fact, any amount of money
given as a tip in this country is treated as an expression of gratitude.
Taxis and hair salons are
two examples of situations in which you are not expected to leave a tip, either
in cash or by using a tip platform. Although, you can give a small amount of
money if the service is special.
In Denmark, the prevailing
tipping customs indicate that tips should be made out of appreciation for
excellent work rather than performance.
🗺️ The
UK
Giving a tip is common in
the UK but not compulsory. 10-15% of the total bill is usually expected in
hotels, bars, and cafes. However, you are not obligated to do so if you are not
satisfied with the service.
Sometimes some fees may
already be included in the bill, so you should double-check before leaving a
tip.
🔘 Related: Best Restaurants in the UK
🗺️ Germany
and Austria
These two countries have
fairly established tipping customs, although a small number of Germans and
Austrians still choose not to tip at all.
Leaving 5-10% of your total
bill as a tip is customary in many cases. For sit-down meals in restaurants, a
tip is expected for good service and a 10% figure is customary.
You can either tip in cash
or use a tip app. For a small meal in a restaurant or café, rounding to the
nearest amount is also good, although some prefer to leave a little more
depending on the service offered.
🗺️ Estonia
Tipping is a custom in
Estonia that varies depending on the service you get. For example, tipping
hotel workers is not required, however, if you are satisfied with the service,
a 10% tip is greatly appreciated.
If you are paying in cash, especially
in taxis, round to the nearest euro. It is customary in hotels to tip the
housekeepers 1 to 2 euros per night of your stay.
Note that although tips are
appreciated in Estonia, they are not mandatory. In fact, hotel and restaurant
workers often earn a living wage that is independent of tips.
In the end, it is up to you
to decide whether or not to leave a tip based on the service you receive.
🗺️ Scandinavian
countries
Unlike the tipping customs
in many European countries, tipping in the Nordic countries is not only rare,
but also unexpected.
Generally speaking, hotels
include a service charge, so feel free to leave without leaving a tip.
Drivers and hotel staff do
not expect you to tip, but if special services are offered, leaving a small tip
is considered appropriate.
🗺️ Latvia
There are a few things to
keep in mind when it comes to giving a tip in Latvia. just like other parts of
Europe, tipping is not mandatory in this country, but it is always appreciated.
If you are happy with the
work you received, a 10% tip is customary, but you can contribute more if you
think the work is outstanding.
If you decide to help, leave
cash rather than using a tip platform, because this is the best method in
Latvia.
It should also be noted
that, unlike other European countries, tips are not expected in bars; Instead,
customers calculate the price of their drink to the nearest euro.
🗺️ Lithuania
In Lithuania, tips are often
appreciated but not mandatory. For special services, it is customary to tip 10
percent or round up to the nearest whole number.
If the job isn't good or if
you don't feel the need to pay extra, you can leave without tipping.
It's also worth noting that
some hotels may include service charges in their bill, so double-check before leaving
an extra amount as tip.
In general, based on tipping
customs of Lithuania, tipping is a personal decision based on the quality of
work received.
🗺️ Netherlands
Being aware of tipping
customs in the Netherlands is very important. Like other European countries,
tipping is not mandatory in this country, although it is accepted as a way of
showing appreciation for excellent work.
In most cases, Dutch buyers
will only tip if the service they received is very good. You are not expected
to leave a tip in a hotels or other similar places.
However, if your server goes
above and beyond to make your experience memorable, leaving a small tip in cash
or via a tip platform is a great way to show appreciation.
In the Netherlands, the
standard tip rate is between 5 and 10% of the total expense. However, remember
that some places may include service charges in the bill, so double-check
before paying extra.
🗺️ Poland
In Poland, tipping is
appreciated and not mandatory. If you had a good experience with a hotel or
service provider, a 10-15% tip is a gentle way to show appreciation.
If you're not sure how much
to give, round your bill to the nearest whole number. It should be remembered
that some establishments may not accept tips, especially bars or cafes.
However, giving a helping
hand is a good way to show appreciation. Remember that it is best to leave a
tip in cash as most hotels or service providers do not accept cash on credit
card payments.
🗺️ Belgium
When visiting Belgium, it's
important to understand its tipping customs. Tips are usually not expected as
the final bill usually includes a service fee.
However, leaving a small tip
(5-10%) for a great experience is always appreciated by workers.
In fact, it’s customary to
tip more generously when dining at a high-end restaurant or staying at a luxury
hotel. A small tip is always appreciated if you get special service from the
bartender or hairdresser.
Overall, tipping is not
considered a duty or a liability in Belgium and it is entirely up to you and
depends on the type and quality of the service you get.
🗺️ Portugal
When it comes to tipping, it
is important to know that it is not as common in Portugal as it is in other
parts of Europe or the United States.
However, leaving a tip is
always appreciated if you get an excellent service. The amount of tip is
usually between 5 and 10% of the total cost.
You should also know that
some hotels in Portugal charge a service fee on top of the bill, which means
that you don’t need to tip.
You can also tip hairdressers,
taxi drivers, and other service providers, but it's not mandatory. Portugal is
famous for its exceptional hospitality; so, don't feel you are obligated to tip.
🗺️ Czech
When you receive an invoice
for food or any service in the Czech Republic, it is customary to add the tip
to it. However, the amount of the tip may vary depending on the type of service
you receive.
A 10% tip is considered
normal, while a 15% tip is considered excellent. Tipping in cash is always
better; However, tipping with credit cards or using a tip platform is becoming
more common.
When paying with a credit
card at a hotel, don't add the tip to the total amount. It is wise to pay for
everything first, then tip separately.
It is worth mentioning that
some establishments, especially high-end hotels, can include a service fee in
their bills, making the tip unnecessary.
Tipping is up to you when
using a taxi service, however, rounding up to the nearest whole number is
standard practice.
When visiting the Czech
Republic, even small tips are always appreciated and can go a long way in showing
your appreciation for excellent service.
🗺️ Italy
Before visiting Italy and
eating in its great restaurants, you have to get familiar with its tipping
customs.
First, it's important to
note that like most other European countries, tipping is not mandatory or
expected in Italy. In fact, labor costs are often included in your final bill.
However, giving a small tip
as a token of appreciation is customary if you receive excellent service.
If you decide to tip, it’s
better to give it separately than adding it to the bill. A reasonable rule of
thumb is to leave 5-10% off the bill or round to the nearest whole number.
However, don't tip if the
service is unsatisfactory or poor. It should be noted that in some bars,
especially in tourist areas, a "session fee" or "service fee"
may be added to your bill, which means you don’t need to pay extra.
🗺️ Hungary
To avoid confusion and
social awkwardness, you should know a few tips about tipping in Hungary. For
starters, tips are expected in most service businesses, including restaurants, cafes,
and bars.
However, the amount of the
tip depends on the situation. In hotels, it is customary to tip about 10-15% of
the total bill. If you demand something special, you can go up to 20% or more. Tipping less or not tipping is also acceptable.
Some hotels may add service
charges to the bill, so check before paying extra. Tipping is rare but still
appreciated in bars and cafes. You can leave small changes or round up to the
nearest whole number.
When you pay a bill, it's
better to give the tip to the employee than to leave it on the table. If you're
paying with a credit card, ask if there's a tip option before paying the total
amount.
Overall, leaving a tip in Hungary
is customary rather than necessary. However, showing gratitude for the good work
is always a wonderful gift. By following these tips, you'll be able to enjoy
your Hungarian cultural tour with ease.
Conclusion
While there's no
one-size-fits-all tipping customs for all the countries in Europe, a great solution
is to check out the service charges covered on your bill. These charges
normally show that you don’t have to tip.
However, if there is no such
fee, leaving 5-10% of the total price will possibly be suitable for different
situations.
If you need a reliable tip
platform for cashless tipping in Europe, you can use Tipsy. Tipsy is a great
tipping application that enables you to tip via your smartphone and express
your gratitude for exceptional service.