If you’re going to Italy, you’re definitely in for a culture shock, especially when it comes to tipping. Unlike America or Canada, tipping in Europe isn’t really a thing, but it’s always appreciated and welcome. Italian restaurants in particular operate with a different approach to compensating their staff.
No Need To Tip At An Italian Restaurant (If You Don’t Want To)
Almost all Italian restaurants (save for the tourist trap restaurants that you should 100% avoid) include a “coperto” or service charge directly on the bill, typically ranging from €1 to €5 per person. This is a built-in fee, which means servers are already compensated, reducing the pressure to add an additional tip.
So, in almost all cases, tipping isn’t mandatory, and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you don’t leave one. Small gestures of appreciation are always welcome, however. Here’s a practical list of rules to follow if you do decide to tip at restaurants.
You’re more than welcome to round up the bill. If the bill is €19.85 for example, it’s totally fair to leave 15 extra cents for your server. It’s small, but it adds up for them over time. This is also a great way to get rid of loose change if you don’t plan on making any wishes at Rome’s many fountains. If you received exceptional service or had a great chat with your server, you can always tip them 5-10% of the total bill. However, don’t feel the need to tip more than €5. As always, cash tips are preferred as most credit card machines in Europe don’t have tipping screens.
You can follow the same rules for tipping at an Italian cafe! As always, you can tip if you desire, but it’s totally fine to round up your bill.
Other Scenarios Where You Might Have To Tip In Italy
The protocol you follow for tipping at restaurants or cafes in Italy extends to other industries as well. For example, if you’re taking a cab, it’s fine to tip your taxi driver. In this scenario, you should round up your fare to the nearest Euro. If you took a long trip, you’re welcome to pay around 5-10% of the total fare. Note that taxi drivers in Italy do not expect substantial tips, so don’t feel the need to break the bank. At the end of the day,
Things get a bit complicated when it comes to tour guides and it’s all vibe-dependent. You never have to tip your tour guide unless you participated in a free tour (that’s not in a museum). In that case, you should expect to tip at least €5-€10, or more if you found significant value on the tour. Now, if you embark on a paid tour, private or not, then you can always tip €5. In most cases, you can get away with giving your guide 5% of the tour fee and feel good. If you hated the tour, obviously don’t feel the need to tip.
When it comes to hotels, you can feel safe with €1 per bag for porters. As for housekeeping staff, you can get away with €5 or €10 for the entire duration of your trip.
Unlike North Americans, Italians value genuine service over transactional interactions. These are people who enjoy good conversation and sharing their culture. In Italy, tipping is seen as a compliment for a job well done, a monetary gold star sticker if you will. You should never feel obligated to tip.
