What is tipping like in Portugal?

As a general guideline, if you choose to leave a tip after a meal, it's customary to give 10 percent of the final bill. This is especially true when dining at upscale restaurants, or with big groups. The Portuguese tend to “round up” the bill to the nearest euro.



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Restaurants and Bars When dining out in Portugal, it's common practice to leave a small tip for your server. However, please know that this is not required, and ultimately depends upon the level of service you've received at that restaurant.

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Though tipping waiters, taxi drivers, tour guides, and bellhops is optional in Portugal, you'll want to give a little something extra in appreciation of good service.

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Tipping servers in restaurants and cafés in Spain, while appreciated, isn't mandatory. It's tough for Americans to get used to not leaving a tip, but locals generally don't leave anything extra at all in more casual eateries. In fine-dining restaurants, a tip may already be included in the check.

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Tipping is not mandatory, and you should only do so if you feel comfortable about it and if you want to reward truly exceptional service. Tipping for great service is very much appreciated.

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You should tip your taxi driver at least 15 to 20% of your trip fare. If you think of giving anything less than 10%, you might as well leave without tipping at all. If your fare is less than $10, leave a tip of not less than a dollar. Something like a 50-cent tip is insulting and more of a hassle to come up with.

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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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Tipping in Portugal is just as important as in other parts of the world. All waiting staff, attendants and clerks earn a wage, but wages are low and many do rely on tips to supplement their income.

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Typically, the gratuity rate for guides should be around 10 to 20 percent of the total trip cost.

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Payment and Tipping Depending on the establishment, you will either pay at the front counter before leaving, or you'll need to let your waiter or waitress know that you are ready to pay. If you are paying by card, typically they will bring the card reader to your table, rather than taking your card.

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It's generally safe and healthy to drink the public tap water across Portugal. Get a water filter such as TAPP 2 to improve the taste and reduce the risk of contaminants. Avoid plastic bottled water in Portugal as most plastic doesn't get properly recycled. Get a high quality reusable water bottle like TAPP.

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Dinner Time in Portugal (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) The best time to have dinner in Portugal is between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. While some restaurants will open at 7 p.m., most of them will still be empty at that time. There are a few exceptions of course, especially if it's a famous restaurant like Cervejaria Ramiro.

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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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While Portugal has all the facilities to accept card payments you'd expect from a modern economy, there are going to be many instances when you need cash on your trip. Some places won't take cards if you're spending less than €10 – €20 Euros, while other merchants won't take cards at all.

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Unlike some countries you do not have to tip in the UK. However, there are some unsaid social rules about leaving a tip. For example, if you take a taxi it is normal practice to round up the fare to the nearest pound.

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Here's a helpful hint: At a restaurant, ask for a copo d'água instead of just água and you won't have to pay for water. Yes, it's from the tap, no there's no ice in it, and yes it's free. If it comes in a bottle, send it back and say again: copo d'água.

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If you're at a restaurant, the waiter will likely ask if you want to pay with cash or Multibanco. This demonstrates its high market saturation, as well as the fact that many places only accept card payments from Multibanco cards – not international ones.

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Generally no, but it would really depend on what you're tipping for. If you're buying a pint for £4.80 and pay with £5, then “keep the change” is definitely not rude. There's no social expectation to tip in a pub. Outside of restaurants, there really isn't much of a tipping culture in the UK.

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