When I started visiting Italy in 2004, I naturally tipped everyone. I mean, I’m from Canada, and tipping restaurant waiters, taxi drivers, and practically everyone in between. But, after traveling to Italy, I was surprised to learn that tipping isn’t really part of the culture. I wrote this article to explain what to expect, and not expect, if you’re thinking of leaving a tip on your next trip to Italy.
Italian tipping culture
It’s not easy to learn the local customs before visiting a new nation, and the experience can be quite daunting all by itself. Luckily, you’ve found this article that will help you make the best choice.
While tipping is not nearly as expected in Italy as it is in the United States, there are a few things to know, like does Rome have a tipping culture, and what is the Italian attitude towards tips in general?
Leaving a tip in Italy is not customary, although doing so is always appreciated.
This is a great example of the numerous reasons to love this country. It’s liberating to have the option of leaving a tip. Furthermore, it gives you a sense of safety and agency over the circumstances; how you show your appreciation is entirely up to you.
However, there are a few caveats to remember; despite following these suggestions, you may still be in an uncomfortable social scenario. In light of this, here is a comprehensive breakdown of when and how much you should tip in Italy.
| Category | Tipping Customs |
| Restaurants | Tipping not customary, but appreciatedService fee (Servizio) may be included in the bill |
| Bars/Cafes | Tipping baristas not commonTip if table service provided (1-2 euros) |
| Taxi Drivers | Tipping not expected, but appreciated (1-2 euros)Tip if satisfied with service |
| Barbershops | Tipping not required or expected |
| Gas Stations | No need to tip unless extra services provided |
| Hotels | Tip housekeeping (€1 per day)Tip concierge (€5-€10 for assistance)Tip porters (€1 per bag)Tip doorman (€1 for calling a taxi)Tip waiters at your discretion |
| Spa Centers | Optional 5-10% tip if desired |
| Tour Guides | Usually included in tour priceTip €5-€10 if exceptional or added valueConsider group tipping if applicable |
| Nightclubs | No need to tip bartenders or entrance workersTip host/hostess for VIP sectionModest tip for DJ may be appreciated |
To tip or not to tip in Italy: The Basics
Generally speaking, tips aren’t automatically given like they are in the US and aren’t usually added to the bill, so it’s really okay not to tip in Italy. No harm, no foul.
“We don’t tip in Italy,” you’ll hear. Even if “tipping is not part of our culture!”, you can still leave a tip. Even though the sum is undoubtedly lower than you’re used too, good service is always appreciated with a tip.
Use cash to tip rather than a credit card. Normally, leaving a tip on the credit card slip is not an option; if you do, your waitress is unlikely to receive that tip. Most of the time, the credit card machine is not even set up for tipping – though this might change. Recently, we visited Greece and the POS had an option to tip. Maybe it’ll come to Italy some day.
Never leave a little tip. Although it’s acceptable to tip with €1 and €2 coins, staying away from tipping with lesser change is preferable. Don’t tip in pennies and nickels because you probably wouldn’t in the US.
The proprietor of a business, eatery, etc., is not entitled to a tip. If you want to give a tip in this case, give it to the person who made your experience fantastic (an assistant, a waitress, etc).
No tips are expected! Don’t give someone a tip if they are pestering you or asking you for one. It creates a negative precedent and encourages the offender to act rudely (with tourists).
Do you leave a tip at restaurants in Italy?
There are around 160 thousands restaurants in the entirety of Italy, and if ever you’ll find yourself being in one of those and have trouble with tipping, just remember the things that I mentioned in this section.
Gratuities are not customarily required in Italian restaurants.
Yes, I find that most of them include a service fee (Servizio) in the total, but you can still give a little gratuity if the service is good.
There may also be a Coperto, a nominal fee for items like bread and flatware. It is also priced between €1 and €4 on the menu.
Tipping wait staff by setting the cash down on a table and leaving the restaurant or coffee shop is not advised. It would be best to give it to the wait staff directly or pay it at the restaurant’s cash register. You can place it in the tip jar if one is available. Otherwise, you can immediately approach the wait staff and hand them the tip. They’ll be grateful for it. Also, it would best to know the Dos and Don’ts when dining at a restaurant.
If you’re wondering whether you can ask you can ask for the bill in Italian or not, the answer is yes. Just say “il conto per favore”. However, you might still not get it, because in Italy, it’s customary to receive the bill around midnight to allow people to enjoy the table space beyond just the meal.
Do you tip at Michelin restaurants in Italy?
Tipping customs vary across Italian dining establishments. In fancier venues like Michelin-starred restaurants or those with multi-course tasting menus, adding a 10% gratuity is typical. However, in more laidback eateries such as Trattorias or Osterias, tipping is not the norm unless settling the bill with cash.
Una mancha or la mancha is the Italian word for “tip”– and other useful vocabulary:
- Tip — Mancia
[‘mahn-chah] - Can I have the bill, please? — Posso avere il conto per favore?
[poh-soh avereh eehl kohn-toh, pehr favore] - One beer please — Una birra, per favore
[‘oonah birrah, pehr favore] - A coffee please — Un caffè per favore
[oon ca’feyh, pehr favore] - Can I pay with a credit card? — Posso pagare con carta di credito?
[ˈpoh-soh paˈɣaɾeh kõn kartah dee credit]
Tipping at bars and cafes in Italy
Italy has over 123,000 businesses in the category of Pubs, Bars, and Nightclubs as of now. Many people think it’s customary to tip your barista in Italy. In reality, most places don’t tip baristas, and when they do, it may only be 50 cents, especially because one espresso usually costs €1.20-1.30. You might want to tip a waiter at a coffee shop if your drink is served at the table. In this case, you can leave one or two euros as a tip.
You might find a board in some coffee shops that says “Caffe Sospeso.” This is a very interesting custom in Italy. Basically, people can prepay one or more coffee and stick the receipt on the board for people that can not afford a coffee. The person that can not afford a coffee can walk into the coffee shop, grab the recipe from the board and enjoy a coffee.
Tipping taxi drivers in Italy
Taxis are one of the most used transportation in Italy, though you’ll likely have to spend more than when you’re riding a bus or a metro. In Milan alone, there are over 4,800 taxi licences.
When it comes tipping taxi drivers, the principle is the same as that of eateries. Tipping is not expected in a taxi in Italy. However, if you are satisfied with the service, you may tip a taxi driver €1-2 (or whatever amount you choose). Especially if you’re staying in Rome or any of the biggest cities and want to rush going to the airport or somewhere.
Satisfied with the taxi service implies a number of distinct conditions:
– Do they assist with luggage?
– Are they pleasant?
– Do they select the most convenient route?
Never tip a driver if he asks you for a tip or if he doesn’t want to use a taxi meter (with the exception of a flat rate. In fact, some routes from and to an airport or train station have a flat rate and drivers do not use a meter in this case) In all the other cases if a driver doesn’t want to use the meter you should make a note of the license number and report the driver to the taxi company.
Useful Italian vocabulary for a taxi ride:
- Can I pay with a credit card? — Posso pagare con carta di credito?
[ˈpoh-soh paˈɣaɾeh kõn kartah dee credito]
Tipping in barbershops in Italy
Another place you may want to consider giving a tip is the barbershop. Getting a haircut while you’re on vacation in Italy is something you should think about. But bear in mind that tipping is not required and also not expected. And also, the average price of men’s haircut in Milan is around €20.
Tipping at a gas station
If you’re driving in Italy and must stop for gas, you should not tip the gas station attendant. The price of gas includes the service charge already. Consider giving the gas station attendant a tip only if they provide you with some extra services such as checking the oil level, cleaning your windshield or inflating the tires. We recommend that you tip them between €1 and €2 euros in those cases.
Tipping in hotels in Italy
Two years ago, there was an estimate of 1,600 hotels just in Rome, and number is a lot higher if we look at the whole Italy. So if you get into one of these hotels, just remember what I mentioned here to avoid awkward instances when it comes to tipping.
In a hotel, services are typically available around-the-clock to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. It’s likely the only situation where standard tipping conventions are in effect. So, it’s acceptable to leave a tip at the hotel.
The amount to be left? It relies on both the service and the hotel’s star rating. You can use the following procedures for a 3- to 4-star hotel:
Housekeeping Staff
The standard is €1 per day. The total can be left in your room at the conclusion of your stay. However, leaving it daily is recommended (to ensure good service during your stay).
Concierge
A tip is appreciated if the concierge assisted you while you were there (for example, by making restaurant recommendations or reserving tickets for you). You can give €5 to €10 depending on the assistance received.
Porters
Although not needed, tips for the hotel porter are usually appreciated. $5 in total, or €1 for each bag.
Doorman
For calling a taxi, a standard tip for the doorman is €1.
Waiters
A tip (as a percentage of your entire meal price OR a set amount for each meal) is welcomed but not demanded. Some people leave a tip at the end of the last meal if they stay somewhere and have the same server throughout their stay (recommended). Alternatively, leave a tip at the front desk to be split among the culinary employees.
Room Service Waiter
When you’re done, leaving €1-2 on the tray is nice but unnecessary.
Bartenders
In Italy, tips are not customarily given to bartenders, although if you’d like, you can round up (leave €10 for your €9.50 negroni).
Tipping at Spa centers in Italy
A spa is where you unwind and enjoy yourself in a nurturing environment. This means you could leave an additional 5% to 10% if you want to, but that’s all up to you.
Tipping tour guides in Italy
Tour guides offer a valuable service by providing visitors with an inside look at the history and culture of a new location. Italian tour guides are typically not given tips because their income is already included in the trip price. It is customary to leave a tip of €10 to €15 if you feel that your tour guide went above and beyond or added value. Giving a tip is appropriate, for instance, if your tour guide took you to a secret location that wasn’t included in the original schedule of your excursion.
Before giving a tip, if you’re going with a group, think about approaching other group members to see if anyone else wants to join you so you can tip together.
Paid Tours
Although not required, a tip is greatly appreciated if you’ve taken a paid tour. Most of the time, guides only get a small percentage of the fee you paid. With one exception: You are not expected to leave a tip if you join the owner on a guided tour.
€5 to €10 per person is the standard tip.
10% is customary for tips after large group or private day tours, and even more if you had an amazing time.
The cost of a lengthier tour, like a week-long cycling vacation, frequently includes tips for drivers, restaurant waiters, and hotel employees. The industry standard is that tips for your guide are typically not included in the trip cost. If you are pleased with their assistance, you can give your tour guide a gratuity ranging from 3 to 5 percent of the total trip cost. Therefore, a great tip would be 90-150€ per person multiplied by two, or 180-300€, for the guide if you and your partner embark on a 300€ per person cycling excursion in Tuscany (or guide team).
Look at the trip materials or contact the tour operator if you’re looking for a specific range.
Free Tours
In some cities, you can take a free walking tour. Those tours are becoming more and more popular all over the world. Usually, the guides are volunteers that work for tips. If you take one of these tours, it is customary to give the tour guide a gratuity of at least €10 per person.
Tipping at nightclubs in Italy
First, it is not traditional to tip club employees like bartenders and entrance workers. Second, it’s customary to tip the host or hostess for looking after you if you intend to spend time in a VIP section. Last, giving the DJ a modest tip after the night is usually appreciated.
Tipping at other places in Italy
Most likely, you’re considering where else you might be able to offer tips. Probably on your mind is, “What about the bartender? The airport people, what about them? Etc.
No, it does not. The locations listed in this article are those where suggestions are more frequently supplied; also, these are the locations where people offer tips.
Frequently asked questions about tipping rules in Italy
No, you shouldn’t tip with US dollars but use euros instead. In fact, if you tip in US dollars, the person receiving the tip will most likely have to pay a fee to convert the tip into Euros. For this reason, we suggest you keep some local currency with you for tipping purposes.
Without a doubt, no. Tipping rules are the same throughout the country, including the island of Sardinia.
Italian tipping traditions are pretty straightforward; further gratuity is never expected, so there’s no need to feel under any kind of pressure.
Coperto is a nominal fee that restaurants in Italy tack onto your tab to cover the cost of the bread and cover. To. be sure, the Coperto is not a tip. The typical amount is a few euros, but it can reach ten euros in some well-known locations. And don’t be shocked if you find “Coperti,” which means “covers,” included on your bill.
A service charge, or servizio, is added to the bill for large tables or locations with many tourists. Usually between 15% and 20% of the bill. You don’t need to give a separate tip if your bill includes a service charge.