Tipping Culture by Country: How Much to Tip Everywhere

Profeco, Mexico’s consumer agency, calls a tip (propina) a voluntary gratuity. No official percentage turned up.

France’s tourism site says almost all restaurants include a 15% service charge in their prices. If the meal was particularly good, another 2-3% is customary, or the small change if you pay cash. If service isn’t included, it says 15% is appropriate.

Italy’s tourism portal says tipping isn’t compulsory, but it’s customary to leave close to 10% when you’re satisfied. Look for coperto (cover charge) and servizio (service) on your bill.

Tipping (Trinkgeld) is voluntary. Berlin’s city guide says 5-10% is appropriate at casual restaurants and 10% at nice ones. Say the total you want to pay when handing over money.

The US Commerce Department’s travel guide says tips for good service are normally up to 5%. Madrid’s tourism office says tipping isn’t customary and leaves it up to you.

Holland.com, the Dutch tourism board’s site, says about 10% is quite acceptable, and that waitstaff don’t live off tips.

Brussels’ tourism office says service is always included, that tipping in restaurants is customary, and that 5-10% is acceptable but not mandatory.

AHRESP, Portugal’s hospitality trade body, says tipping is common but not obligatory, and leaves the choice to the customer. No official percentage turned up.

Visit Sweden says tipping is always welcome but not expected. Rounding up to the nearest big number is common, and adding 10% is a nice, easy tip.

Visit Norway says tipping isn’t common outside bars and restaurants, where tips tend to stay within 5-15% of the bill. It’s entirely up to you.

VisitDenmark says service charges are included in restaurant bills, and that there is no set etiquette if you want to tip for great service.

Visit Finland says tipping isn’t expected and service is always included. At most, people round up or leave a couple of euros for great service.

Visit Reykjavík says service is typically included at fine-dining restaurants, and that rounding up is appreciated if you’re thrilled. No official percentage turned up.

Switzerland Tourism says guests aren’t obliged to tip, but in many restaurants it’s customary to leave about 10% or round up.

The City of Poznań’s site says a tip should generally be 10% of the bill, though the custom is less commonplace in Poland than in other countries.

CzechTourism says customary tips run up to 10%.

The Hungarian Tourism Agency says the usual tip is 10%. A 10-15% service charge is starting to spread: if it’s on the bill, you don’t need to tip.

The Croatian National Tourist Board says there’s no special service fee and tipping isn’t mandatory. If you do tip at a restaurant, it recommends at least 10-15%. In cafés and bars, round up.

The official Athens guide says bars and restaurants have no service charge, and that 5-15% is the norm but not the rule.

Vienna’s tourist board says the usual tip is 5-10%. Check the bill first: if the tip is already included, don’t pay it again. Say the amount you want to pay: “Machen Sie [amount].”

The Hong Kong Tourism Board says most restaurants add a 10% service charge, though some cafes and diners don’t. Check your bill first.

The US Commerce Department’s travel guide says tipping isn’t common and is generally not expected, and that most restaurants and hotels include a 10% service charge.

Singapore’s tourism board has no current tipping guidance we could read. Check your bill for a service charge before adding anything.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand says tipping isn’t a usual practice but is becoming more common, and that most restaurants add a 10% service charge. Thais commonly leave the coins.

Vietnam Tourism says tipping isn’t a normal part of the culture, and that tips in restaurants and cafes are not expected but always appreciated. No official percentage turned up.

No official tipping guidance turned up. Check if a service charge is included.

No official tipping guidance turned up. Check your bill for a service charge first.

Visit Dubai’s guide gives 10-15% for restaurants and says tipping is customary but not compulsory. Check whether service is already on the bill.

Tel Aviv’s municipal guide says tipping is customary with waiter service and usually means adding 10-15%. Some add service charge - check bill. Taxis: round up.

Baksheesh (tipping) is an integral part of the economy. No official percentage turned up.

No official tipping guidance turned up. Riads may include service. Check before adding more.

South African Tourism says 10-20% of the bill is acceptable at restaurants. Tables of more than six get an automatic 10% service charge.

No official tipping guidance turned up.

Abrasel, Brazil’s restaurant trade body, calls the tip voluntary, though many places charge it as a service fee: the familiar “10%”, which can run higher or lower. Check your bill.

Visit Argentina says tipping isn’t mandatory but is a widespread custom, and that the usual amount is 10% of the bill.

Chile’s labor authority says employers must suggest a tip of at least 10% on each bill. You can decline it.

Colombian law calls the tip voluntary and caps a tip suggested on the bill at 10%. Your server must ask whether you want it on the bill.

No official tipping guidance turned up. Check if service is included.