Tipping Around the World 2026: 48 Countries Explained
- In the US and Canada tipping is effectively required (15–20% at restaurants) and menu prices exclude tax.
- Japan, Korea and China have no tipping culture.
- Across much of Southeast Asia and Europe tipping is optional, but service and tax are often added ("++").
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See it in your own money ›Felt price vs your home city · save to a trip budget · freeThe bigger surprise than tipping is often the gap between the menu and the bill: where tax and service are added, you can pay 10–25% more. Here are tipping and menu-price rules by country.
Asia
🇰🇭 CambodiaNot required. $1–2 for tuk-tuk drivers, guides and massages is common. Local places charge the menu price; hotels and upscale restaurants may add tax and service.
🇨🇳 ChinaNo tipping. Prices are usually as listed.
🇭🇰 Hong KongRestaurants add 10% service, so extra tipping is unnecessary. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge; many local cha chaan tengs do not.
🇮🇳 India5–10% at restaurants; small tips for drivers and guides are normal. GST is often added on top of menu prices. Service charges can't be made mandatory, so you may ask to remove them.
🇮🇩 IndonesiaNot expected. Where no service charge is added, rounding up or 5–10% is plenty. A "++" on the menu means 10% tax plus a 5–10% service charge on top, so the bill runs 15–21% above menu prices.
🇯🇵 JapanNo tipping; offering one can cause confusion. Displayed prices include tax. Izakayas may add a table charge (otoshi).
🇰🇿 KazakhstanRestaurants often add 10–15% service. Check the bill for a service line.
🇱🇦 LaosNot expected; leaving change is enough. Menu prices are usually final.
🇲🇾 MalaysiaNot expected; skip it if a service charge is on the bill. Restaurants and hotels often add 10% service plus SST. Look for "SC" and "SST" lines on the bill.
🇲🇳 MongoliaNot required, though tipping tour guides and drivers is normal. Menu prices are usually final.
🇳🇵 NepalAbout 10% if no service charge; tipping trekking guides and porters is customary. Tourist restaurants often add 10% service plus 13% VAT.
🇵🇭 PhilippinesAbout 10% where no service charge is added; small change if it is. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge; VAT is usually in the listed price.
🇸🇬 SingaporeNo tipping culture; service is already included. A "++" means 10% service plus GST on top; hawker centres charge the posted price.
🇰🇷 South KoreaNo tipping. Prices include VAT.
🇱🇰 Sri LankaAbout 10% where no service is added; small tips for drivers and guides. Restaurants and hotels often add 10% service plus taxes.
🇹🇼 TaiwanNo tipping. Upscale restaurants and hotels add 10% service; local eateries charge the listed price.
🇹🇭 ThailandNot required. Leave small change at restaurants; 50–100 baht after a massage is typical. Upscale restaurants and hotels add "++" (10% service + 7% VAT). Local eateries charge what the menu says.
🇻🇳 VietnamNot expected, though small tips for massage and tour guides are common. Local eateries charge the menu price. Upscale places and hotels may add 8–10% VAT and a 5% service charge.
Europe
🇦🇲 ArmeniaRestaurants often add about 10% service; no extra tip needed if it is on the bill. Check the bill for a service line.
🇦🇹 Austria5–10% at restaurants; you tell the server the total you want to pay. Prices include tax and service.
🇧🇬 BulgariaAbout 10% at restaurants. Prices include tax.
🇭🇷 CroatiaAbout 10% at restaurants. Prices include tax.
🇨🇿 CzechiaAbout 10% at restaurants. Prices include tax; bread or nuts left on the table may be charged if eaten.
🇩🇰 DenmarkService is included; rounding up is plenty. Prices include tax and service; alcohol is especially expensive.
🇪🇪 EstoniaNot required; 5–10% for good service. Prices include tax.
🇫🇷 FranceService is included (service compris); leave change or ~5% if happy. Prices include tax and service. Coffee is cheaper standing at the bar.
🇬🇪 GeorgiaRestaurants often add a 10–18% service charge; no extra tip needed if it is on the bill. Check the bill for a service charge line.
🇩🇪 GermanyRound up or 5–10% at restaurants; you tell the server the total you want to pay. Prices include tax and service. Bottles carry a deposit (Pfand) you get back on return.
🇬🇷 Greece5–10% at restaurants. Prices include tax; some places charge for bread.
🇭🇺 HungaryAbout 10–15% if no service is added. Budapest restaurants often add 10–15% service; no extra tip needed if it is on the bill.
🇮🇹 ItalyNot expected; leave small change. A cover charge (coperto) or service may be added; check the bottom of the menu. Coffee at the bar is cheapest.
🇳🇱 NetherlandsNot required; round up or 5–10%. Prices include tax and service.
🇳🇴 NorwayService is included; rounding up is plenty. Prices include tax and service; alcohol is especially expensive.
🇵🇱 PolandAbout 10% at restaurants. Prices include tax.
🇵🇹 PortugalNot expected; change or 5–10%. Bread, olives and cheese placed on the table (couvert) are charged if eaten; send them back if you do not want them.
🇷🇸 SerbiaAbout 10% at restaurants; leaving change is common. Prices include tax.
🇪🇸 SpainNot expected; change or 5–10% is plenty. Prices include VAT; terrace seating can cost more.
🇸🇪 SwedenService is included; rounding up is plenty. Prices include tax and service; alcohol is especially expensive.
🇨🇭 SwitzerlandService is included; round up. Prices include tax and service.
🇹🇷 Türkiye5–10% at restaurants. Prices are usually as listed, though some tourist restaurants add service or charge for bread and meze.
🇬🇧 United KingdomAround 10–12.5% at restaurants; skip it if an "optional service charge" is already on the bill. Prices include VAT; many London restaurants add 12.5% service automatically.
Americas
🇦🇷 ArgentinaAbout 10% at restaurants. Prices include tax; some restaurants add a table charge (cubierto).
🇧🇷 BrazilA 10% service charge ("serviço") on restaurant bills is standard. The 10% service appears as a separate line on the bill.
🇨🇦 Canada15–20% of the pre-tax bill at restaurants. Listed prices exclude tax; federal and provincial taxes are added at checkout.
🇨🇴 ColombiaBills suggest a voluntary 10% tip ("propina voluntaria"); you may ask to remove it. Prices include tax.
🇲🇽 Mexico10–15% at restaurants. Prices include VAT (IVA).
🇵🇪 PeruAbout 10% at restaurants. Upscale restaurants may add a 10% service charge.
🇺🇸 United States18–20% of the pre-tax bill is effectively standard at restaurants; $1–2 a drink at bars, ~15% for taxis and Uber. Listed prices exclude sales tax; tax (varies by state and city) and tip are added at checkout.
Middle East & Africa
🇪🇬 EgyptBaksheesh is expected widely: toilets, luggage, even photos. Restaurants often add 12% service plus 14% VAT.
🇰🇪 KenyaAbout 10% at restaurants. VAT is usually included in listed prices.
🇲🇦 MoroccoAbout 10% at restaurants; small tips for guides and porters are customary. Prices are usually as listed.
🇿🇦 South Africa10–15% at restaurants; small tips for car guards and petrol attendants are customary. Prices include VAT.
🇦🇪 UAEAbout 10% where no service is included. The 5% VAT is usually included; hotels and some restaurants add service and tourism fees.
Oceania
🇦🇺 AustraliaNot required; about 10% for great service. Prices include GST. Some cafés and restaurants add a Sunday or public-holiday surcharge.
🇬🇺 GuamAs in the US, 15–20% at restaurants is normal. Prices are usually as listed.
🇳🇿 New ZealandNot required. Prices include GST; some places add a public-holiday surcharge.
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