In a nutshell
- Tipping can be a minefield — every country seems to have its own rules. So how much should you actually tip where you’re headed? What’s really the norm?
- Because we ask ourselves the same thing every time we sit down in a restaurant abroad, we’ve put together a complete tipping guide covering every country in the world.
- We’ll tell you where to tip and how much, where it’s not expected at all, and where leaving a tip could actually cause offense. Scroll down for the full country-by-country table.
How much should you tip?
The right tip amount feels different in every country. In some places it’s forbidden, while in others up to 25 percent is common. Sometimes it’s already included in the bill, and sometimes you leave it on the table after paying.
You can’t even divide it neatly by region, because there are big differences even within continents like Europe. That’s why we’ve put together a table covering every country in the world and the customary tip amount — you’ll find it further below.
As a general rule, you can’t go wrong with a 5–15 percent tip. You just need to make sure you’re not in a country where tipping is forbidden or considered offensive. We’ll walk you through that in the next section.
Sometimes you also have to read the situation yourself and decide how much you want to give. If you’re unsure, just ask a local — they’ll be happy to help.
In which countries is tipping not customary?
There are plenty of countries where tipping is uncommon. These fall into three categories — from service charges already included in the bill to tipping being outright forbidden. Here’s how they break down:
Countries where the tip is already included in the bill
In these countries, you don’t need to add anything extra. That said, a few extra coins are always appreciated — especially if you were really happy with the service.
- Belgium
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Vatican City
Countries where tipping simply isn’t customary
You’re still welcome to leave something — locals always appreciate it. But they’re not used to it, and you shouldn’t feel obligated.
- Australia
- Belarus
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Ecuador
- Fiji
- Indonesia
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Mongolia (though tipping is becoming more common here)
- Myanmar
- Nauru
- Palau
- Rwanda
- Solomon Islands
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
Countries where tipping is (essentially) forbidden or considered an insult
In these countries, you really shouldn’t leave a tip. Sometimes servers aren’t allowed to accept it, or they may actually feel offended — good service is simply considered a given there.
Tipping by Country: A Worldwide Overview
Here’s a quick look at how much tipping is expected around the world. We’ve pulled out the most popular destinations up front so you can find your answer fast.
- Destinations where the service charge is generally already included: Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, France, Switzerland, Sweden
- Destinations where you round up or tip up to 10 percent: Greece, Portugal, Spain
- Destinations where 5–10 percent is the norm: Croatia, Austria, Poland, Turkey
- Destination where 18–25 percent is practically expected: USA
For more detail and the full list of countries, check out the table below — everything’s sorted alphabetically. To jump straight to your destination, use Ctrl (Windows) / Cmd (macOS) + F to search by country name.
| How much tip do you give in ... ? | Tip | |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | about 10 percent | |
| Egypt | 10 to 15 percent | Tipping is considered very important in Egypt. |
| Albania | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Algeria | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Andorra | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Angola | not customary | Tipping is not appreciated. Cigarettes and other items are gladly accepted. |
| Antigua and Barbuda | about 10 percent | It is often already included in the bill. |
| Equatorial Guinea | 5 to 10 percent | Tipping is not strictly expected, but is appreciated. |
| Argentina | There is no general rule. It depends a lot on people's income and the establishment. | |
| Armenia | about 10 percent | |
| Azerbaijan | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Ethiopia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Australia | not customary | You are welcome to leave something anyway. |
| Bahamas | 10 to 15 percent | Usually 15 percent is already added to the bill. |
| Bahrain | 10 to 15 percent | Often already included in the bill. |
| Bangladesh | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Barbados | 10 to 15 percent | Often already included in the bill. |
| Belarus | not customary | You can still give about 5 percent if you were very satisfied. |
| Belgium | not customary | The tip is already included in the bill. |
| Belize | 10 to 15 percent | Usually the tip is already included in the bill. |
| Benin | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Bhutan | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Bolivia | about 10 percent | Locals usually don't tip. However, the staff always appreciates a small tip. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Botswana | about 10 percent | |
| Brazil | about 10 percent | Often already included in the bill as a servicio. |
| Brunei | not customary | You can still give something if you want. |
| Bulgaria | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Burkina Faso | There is no general rule. | |
| Burundi | about 10 percent | |
| Chile | about 10 percent | When paying by card, you will be asked if you want to pay a propina. |
| China | not customary | It is usually even considered an insult. |
| Costa Rica | not customary | 10 percent is already included in the bill. |
| Denmark | not customary | The tip is already included in the bill. |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 10 to 12 percent | |
| Germany | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Dominica | about 10 percent | |
| Dominican Republic | about 10 percent | Sometimes the tip is already included in the bill. |
| Djibouti | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Ecuador | not customary | Locals are not used to tipping, but will be thrilled if you do. |
| El Salvador | about 10 percent | |
| Ivory Coast | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Eritrea | about 10 percent | |
| Estonia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Eswatini | about 10 percent | |
| Fiji | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Finland | not customary | Service is already included in the bill. |
| France | not customary | Usually about 15 percent is already included in the bill. |
| Gabon | 10 to 15 percent | |
| Gambia | There is no general rule. | |
| Georgia | about 10 percent | |
| Ghana | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Grenada | about 10 percent | Sometimes it is already included in the bill. |
| Greece | about 10 percent | You can also simply round up. |
| Great Britain | about 10 percent | Often already added to the bill. |
| Guatemala | about 10 percent | |
| Guinea | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Guinea-Bissau | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Guyana | about 10 percent | |
| Haiti | about 10 percent | |
| Honduras | about 10 percent | |
| Hong Kong | not customary | In most restaurants the tip is already included in the bill. |
| India | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Indonesia | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Iraq | about 10 percent | |
| Iran | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Ireland | about 10 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| Iceland | not customary | As a rule, it is included in the bill. |
| Israel | 10 to 15 percent | |
| Italy | not customary | It is usually added to the bill as a coperto. You can still leave a few euros on the table. |
| Jamaica | 10 to 15 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| Japan | not customary | It is usually even considered an insult. |
| Yemen | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Jordan | about 10 percent | |
| Cambodia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Cameroon | There is no general rule. | |
| Canada | 15 to 20 percent | Tipping is almost mandatory. |
| Cape Verde | There is no general rule. | |
| Kazakhstan | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Qatar | about 10 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| Kenya | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Kyrgyzstan | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Kiribati | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Colombia | about 10 percent | Nothing is expected at local restaurants and street stalls, but you can still give something. In many bills the propina is already included. |
| Comoros | about 10 percent | |
| Kosovo | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Croatia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Cuba | about 10 percent | |
| Kuwait | about 10 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| Laos | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Lesotho | There is no general rule. | |
| Latvia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Lebanon | 10 to 15 percent | |
| Liberia | about 10 percent | |
| Libya | about 10 percent | |
| Liechtenstein | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Lithuania | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Luxembourg | not customary | The tip is usually already included in the bill. |
| Madagascar | about 10 percent | |
| Malawi | 10 to 15 percent | |
| Malaysia | not customary | Usually it is already included in the bill. |
| Maldives | not customary | Usually it is already included in the bill. |
| Mali | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Malta | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Morocco | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Marshall Islands | There is no general rule. | |
| Mauritania | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Mauritius | not customary | Waiters, taxi drivers, and guides still appreciate tips. |
| Mexico | 10 to 15 percent | When paying by card, you can have the servicio added to the bill. |
| Micronesia | not customary | It is still gladly accepted. |
| Moldova | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Monaco | not customary | Service is already included in the bill. |
| Mongolia | not customary | It is becoming more and more common to leave something. |
| Montenegro | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Mozambique | about 10 percent | |
| Myanmar | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Namibia | about 10 percent | |
| Nauru | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Nepal | 5 to 10 percent | |
| New Zealand | not customary | Service is often already included in the bill. |
| Nicaragua | about 10 percent | |
| Netherlands | not customary | It is generally included in the bill. |
| Niger | There is no general rule. | |
| Nigeria | 5 to 10 percent | |
| North Korea | prohibited | |
| North Macedonia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Norway | not customary | Service is already included in the bill. |
| Oman | about 10 percent | Service is often already included in the bill. |
| Austria | 5 to 10 percent | |
| East Timor | 10 to 15 percent | |
| Pakistan | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Palestine | There is no general rule. | |
| Palau | not customary | Sometimes it is included in the bill. |
| Panama | about 10 percent | |
| Papua New Guinea | not customary | Tipping is also not appreciated. |
| Paraguay | about 10 percent | |
| Peru | about 10 percent | |
| Philippines | 5 to 10 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| Poland | about 10 percent | |
| Portugal | 5 to 10 percent | You can also simply round up. |
| Republic of the Congo | about 10 percent | |
| Rwanda | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Romania | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Russia | 5 to 10 percent | In upscale restaurants a service charge is often included. |
| Solomon Islands | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Zambia | about 10 percent | |
| Samoa | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| San Marino | 5 to 10 percent | |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 5 to 15 percent | |
| Saudi Arabia | about 10 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| Sweden | not customary | Often it is already included in the bill. You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Switzerland | 5 to 10 percent | As a rule, it is included in the bill. |
| Senegal | There is no general rule. | |
| Serbia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Seychelles | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Sierra Leone | 10 to 15 percent | |
| Zimbabwe | About 10 percent | |
| Singapore | not customary | It is even officially discouraged. |
| Slovakia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Slovenia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Somalia | not customary | Sometimes it is even considered an insult. If you want to give something, keep it to small amounts. |
| Spain | 5 to 10 percent | You can also simply round up. |
| Sri Lanka | about 10 percent | In some restaurants the service charge is already included. |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | about 10 percent | In some restaurants the service charge is already included. |
| St. Lucia | about 10 percent | In some restaurants the service charge is already included. |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | about 10 percent | In some restaurants the service charge is already included. |
| South Africa | about 10 percent | For groups of 6 or more, a small tip is automatically added to the bill. |
| Sudan | about 10 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| South Korea | not customary | It is even sometimes considered rude. |
| South Sudan | about 10 percent | |
| Suriname | about 10 percent | |
| Syria | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Tajikistan | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Tanzania | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Thailand | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Togo | about 10 percent | It is expected for every service. |
| Tonga | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | about 10 percent | |
| Chad | about 10 percent | |
| Czech Republic | 5 to 10 percent | You can also simply round up. |
| Tunisia | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Turkey | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Turkmenistan | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Tuvalu | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Uganda | about 10 percent | |
| Ukraine | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Hungary | about 10 percent | In some restaurants the tip is already included in the bill. |
| Uruguay | about 10 percent | |
| USA | 18 to 25 percent | Almost considered mandatory. |
| Uzbekistan | 5 to 10 percent | |
| Vanuatu | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Vatican City | not customary | The coperto, as in Italy, is already included in the bill. You can still leave a few euros on the table. |
| Venezuela | about 10 percent | |
| United Arab Emirates | about 10 percent | Often it is already included in the bill. |
| Vietnam | not customary | You are welcome to give something anyway. |
| Western Sahara | about 10 percent | |
| Central African Republic | 10 to 15 percent | |
| Cyprus | 5 to 10 percent | |
