Do you tip in Germany?

Tipping isn't mandatory in Germany. Instead, it's seen as a gesture of appreciation for a good experience. A tip is always welcome, but in Germany, it's usually based directly on the quality of service. If you're satisfied, leaving a tip is a way to show it.



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At bars in Europe, tips are not customary, but leaving change or a few euros is always appreciated, if not expected. For takeaway food or drinks, counter dining, or stand-up service, tips are also not customary.

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A short and simple Zahlen, bitte! is how you ask to pay the check in German. It translates literally to “Paying, please”. A similar alternative to this is Kann ich zahlen, bitte? Alternatively, you can say Die Rechnung, bitte, meaning “Check please” or Kann ich bitte die Rechnung haben?

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Tipping culture in Europe is very different, so there are some habits American travelers will want to leave at home. For most, tips are not expected in Europe, and it's fine not to tip at all, especially in more casual settings like bars or cafes. In other cases, though, small tips may be warranted.

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Just as in Japan, it is not customary to tip in China. Tipping in China is generally uncommon and can even be considered rude or embarrassing in some circumstances so when taking a taxi, enjoying a refreshing drink or tucking into a delicious meal there's no requirement to leave any gratuities.

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Asking for the check This means you'll have to ask outright for the bill. But the good news is that splitting the bill is easier in Germany than in most places in the world. Just tell the server which items you want to pay for. You'll be given a verbal total just for those items.

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In a nutshell: Similar to the Americas, tipping is customary and expected by servers in Africa and the Middle East. The amount varies by restaurant and economic state of the country. In Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, servers are used to receiving a 15-20% tip.

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Follow the one-euro rule A good rule of thumb for tipping in Europe is to give at least one euro (or the equivalent in local currency) per service. For example, pay one euro per bag carried up to your room by a bellhop or porter, one euro per day for housekeeping, and one euro per day for breakfast staff.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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