Europe has no single tipping norm. Service is frequently included in the bill, percentages are lower than in the United States where they apply at all, and rounding up is often the whole custom. The differences are regional rather than continental.
The single most useful habit in Europe is reading the bill. Service is frequently included, and where it is, an extra tip is optional rather than expected. The wording varies by language — service compris, servizio incluso, Bedienung inklusive, servicio incluido — and a service charge may also appear as its own line item.
Where service is included, rounding up is common and nothing more is needed. Where it is not, a modest percentage for good service is the usual practice, at rates well below those in the United States.
Typical ranges across the region. Individual countries vary, so check your specific destination in the tipping guide.
| Situation | Common practice in Europe |
|---|---|
| Restaurant, service included | Round up, or nothing |
| Restaurant, service not included | 5–10% for good service |
| Café or bar | Leave the small change |
| Taxi | Round up to a convenient amount |
| Hotel housekeeping | A euro or two per night, left in the room |
| Hotel porter | A euro or two per bag |
| Day tour guide | A few euros per person |
| Barber or salon | Round up, or a small percentage |
Cash is the more reliable way to tip in Europe. Many card terminals have no tip prompt at all, and where one exists there is no guarantee the amount reaches the staff who served you.
Carrying a few coins and small notes makes tipping straightforward and also covers the places, still common in parts of Europe, that take cash only.
Under-tipping in Europe is a much smaller matter than in tipping-dependent countries, and over-tipping is not automatically appreciated — in some places it reads as unnecessary. Neither will cause offence in practice.
If you take one rule, make it rounding up. It is customary almost everywhere in Europe, out of place almost nowhere, and requires no arithmetic.
Sometimes, and less than in the United States. Many countries include service in the price and treat a tip as optional appreciation — commonly rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service rather than a fixed percentage.
Often yes, and the bill may say so — look for wording such as service compris, servizio incluso, or a line item for service. Where it is included, an additional tip is genuinely optional.
Rounding up to a convenient amount is the usual custom, and a small percentage for help with luggage or a long ride. In several countries no tip is expected at all.
Cash is more reliable. Many card terminals in Europe have no tip prompt, and where they do, the amount does not always reach staff. Leaving coins or a note on the table is the common approach.
In most of Europe, no — particularly where service is included. Leaving nothing after notably good service may be noticed in tourist-facing venues, but there is no expectation comparable to the United States.