The Guide to European Tipping

Tipping is something of a social minefield, given that it differs widely from destination to destination. On one end of the scale, you have the USA where tipping is very much a way of life and where you’d seriously offend your server if you forgot to include a tip with your meal. Then on the other end there’s Japan, where the very idea of tipping is considered rude and offensive. Although what should you expect when it comes to the countries in-between? We’ve created this useful guide that sheds light on some of the expected tipping practices in some of our most popular destinations – gratuities welcome(!):

Spain

Bars and Nightclubs: Whether you’re in mainland Spain, the Canaries or the Balearics, tipping is just not expected in bars and nightclubs. Although some bars have taken to displaying tongue-in-cheek posters reading ‘Tips Accepted’ in English for the benefit of generous American tourists!

Restaurants: Tips are not usually left in standard menu del dia type restaurants, but many locals do round up the bill to the nearest euro. In more extravagant restaurants, with meals that include wine, service and desserts, a tip of around 5% is expected.

Taxis: Tipping is not expected in taxis, but locals usually round up to the nearest euro. If your taxi driver has been particularly helpful and helped with carrying your luggage, a euro or two would be appreciated.

Portugal

Bars and Nightclubs: If the bar service was particularly good then it is customary to tip around €2.00.

Restaurants: Tipping is more widespread in Portugal than it is Spain and you may want to check your receipt to see if service has already been added to your meal. If it hasn’t, then a tip of around 10% is expected in restaurants in the Algarve, whilst way from the tourist resorts, in cities such as Lisbon and Oporto, it is more common to tip a few euros.

Taxis: Locals usually round up the taxi fare to the nearest euro. However, in tourist destinations, such as the Algarve, the tip would often be rounded up to the nearest 5 euros.

Greece

Bars and Nightclubs: Rounding up the nearest whole number is a nice gesture when you’re buying drinks in Greece.

Restaurants: When it comes to eating out, Greece has a rounding up policy. For smaller meals, e.g. under 10 euros, you should round up to the nearest whole amount. When eating larger meals, for example those which include wine and desserts, a tip of between 5-10%, dependant on the service you received, is expected. Most locals leave 8%.

Taxis: Tipping is not required but it is considered polite to round up the fare to the nearest euro.

Cyprus

Bars and Nightclubs: Tipping is not expected in bars and nightclubs in sunny Cyprus.

Restaurants: A service charge of 10% is usually included on the cheque. However, if your service was particularly good you may also choose to round up the bill.

Taxis: There is no need to tip in taxis as the metered price already includes a service charge.

Malta

Bars and Nightclubs: Tips are not expected unless there is someone taking your order, in which case between 5-10% is customary.

Restaurants: Check your bill first to see if a service charge has already been applied. If not, then a 5-10% tip is usually expected depending on the level of service you’ve received.

Taxis: Tips are not expected for taxi drivers, but as with other European destinations you may wish to round up the fare to the nearest whole number for convenience.