The definitive guide to tipping throughout Europe

If you've ever found yourself anxiously sorting through cash at the end of a meal abroad, or searching for spare change in the back of a taxi in an unfamiliar city, you know the struggle. Tipping is a tricky tradition that varies widely; what may be considered a generous gesture in one place might offend the local customs in another.

From grasping cover charges in Italian restaurants to knowing the appropriate tip for housekeeping in France, here’s our guide to tipping across Europe.

Dining establishments and pubs

Many non-European visitors, particularly Americans, often misinterpret tipping practices in Europe, applying their own generous customs where they may not fit. Numerous EU nations have laws that regulate and clarify gratuity, making larger tips of 15% and more unnecessary after even substantial meals.

Generally, in most European nations, such as France, Germany, Spain, Czechia, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and the UK, a service charge is typically added for groups of six or more, though if it isn’t, tipping between 5% and 10% in cash is common unless service has been subpar. In contrast, countries like Italy, Austria and Russia may not include service charges or expect tips, but rounding up the bill is a common practice due to lower wages in the hospitality sector. 

When dining in Italy, you might encounter the term corperto on your bill, which refers to a 'cover charge' that typically doesn’t go to the waitstaff. If you want to tip, it’s best to do so in cash directly to your server. In smaller Italian venues like pizzerias, it’s common to round up the bill; for restaurants and trattorias, consider adding a tip of 5% to 10%.

Known for their steep prices, it's good to know that tipping in Scandinavia and Iceland is not customary, as gratuities are generally included in the meal price.

Tipping in European bars isn’t mandatory, but if you’re feeling generous (perhaps after a few drinks), rounding up the bill is perfectly fine. In London pubs (and throughout the UK) tipping can be puzzling for visitors, but it’s not customary. If you’re enjoying the friendly atmosphere typical of a British pub, consider buying the bartender a drink with the phrase 'and one for yourself.'

Hotel personnel

Tipping customs for hotel staff across many European nations are fairly consistent, with tipping housekeeping generally being less common than in the USA. In the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czechia, and Hungary, if you choose to tip, offering €1 to €2 per bag for porters and around €2 to €5 for housekeeping is advisable. Smaller amounts are typically sufficient in Balkan and Eastern European countries.

In Russia, hotel staff generally expect larger tips, typically between R200 and R250 for porters and R100 to R200 for housekeeping services.

In expensive Scandinavia and Iceland, hotel staff do not anticipate tips as service charges are already factored into their wages. This is also true for Switzerland, although leaving a small gratuity of about Sfr5 to Sfr10 for housekeeping at the end of your stay would be appreciated, even if it’s not required.

Tour guides

In most European countries, tour guides and drivers receive tips separately. In Central and Eastern Europe and Italy, it's customary to tip around 10% to 20% per day of the tour, based on your satisfaction. In many Western European nations, such as France, Germany, Spain, and the UK, a daily tip of approximately €25 to €40 for the guide and €10 to €15 for the driver is considered appropriate. Russian guides and drivers may anticipate slightly higher tips, roughly R3000 for guides and R2000 for drivers.

In Türkiye, private car drivers expect substantial tips, typically ranging from 200TL to 300TL per day, while group tour guides usually receive around 60TL to 100TL, with private tour guides receiving closer to 450TL.

In Scandinavian nations and Iceland, while tips for tour guides and drivers aren't typically anticipated, if you feel your experience merits it, a 10% tip for both is a thoughtful gesture. Alternatively, you might consider treating them to lunch.

'Free' walking tours

Free walking tours, available in many major cities, are provided by various companies following a 'pay what you want' model. Usually led by locals, these tours last a couple of hours and cover specific city sites along a set route. At the tour's conclusion, participants are encouraged to leave tips of any amount if they wish. Although these tours are labeled free, it's generally expected that attendees will offer something if they completed the tour. A good guideline is to tip the local currency equivalent of around $5 to $10 per person, though you can certainly give more if you choose.

Taxi drivers

When it comes to taxi tipping in Europe, it's quite simple—most drivers don’t expect tips, but rounding up the fare is a common practice, especially as more taxis are now equipped with card payment options. The exceptions to this are France, Russia, and Switzerland, where a tip of 10% to 15% is often anticipated. In contrast, in Scandinavia and Iceland, tipping taxi drivers is not customary at all, even when rounding up.

Gondoliers in Venice

Despite popular belief, tipping gondoliers in Venice isn’t really a standard practice. However, if you feel generous, leaving a few euros is perfectly fine.