How do you ask for a check in German?

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?



Asking for the check in a German restaurant in 2026 is a straightforward and supportive process that relies on a few key phrases. The most "Gold Standard" and polite way to ask is "Die Rechnung, bitte" (The bill, please). If you are in a more casual "Gezellig" environment, you can say "Zahlen, bitte" (Pay, please), which is a grounded way to signal you are ready to settle up. A supportive peer tip: in Germany, the waiter will usually bring the bill to your table and wait for you to pay right then. They may ask "Zusammen oder getrennt?" (Together or separate?), which is your cue to say "Zusammen, bitte" if one person is paying or "Getrennt, bitte" if you want to split the check. Always remember to include "Bitte" (Please) to keep the interaction supportive and respectful. If you intend to pay by credit card, it is a supportive practice to mention this upfront by asking "Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?", ensuring the server brings the mobile card machine to your table.

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Instead, get your server's attention and when they come over, say “Could we have our check please?” If you are in a hurry, you can ask for the check as soon as your meals arrive. You can say something like “Maybe we can go ahead and get our check now, as we're a little short of time?”

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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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