The American Guide to Tipping in Germany

Visiting Germany for the first time and not sure if you should tip? Check out this post for the ultimate American guide to tipping in Germany!

As someone who’s been out to eat in Germany several times, tipping in Deutschland was something that never crossed my mind. In fact, since it’s so common in America, I always assumed it was the same everywhere I went. Well… I’m here to tell you that in Germany that is not the case. The tipping culture in Germany is very different from the U.S. which says a lot about their economy.

So, if you’re interested in learning about what the tipping culture is like in Germany, you’ve come to the right place! This post alone highlights Germany’s tipping culture as well as the general rules to it.

What is the tipping culture like in Germany?

In Germany, “tips” are actually called trinkgeld in the country’s language. This word translates to “drink money” (trinken – to drink + geld -money) in English and it comes from the original concept behind tipping in Germany where the recipient used the tip to buy themselves a drink. Today, this concept isn’t regularly practiced but I’m sharing it since it’s helpful to know where the word trinkgeld in Germany originated.

Is it mandatory to tip in Germany?

No, it is not mandatory to tip in Germany. In fact, tipping is actually seen as a voluntary act where one can express one’s satisfaction with a service. So, for instance, if you are satisfied with the quality of service provided to you, then giving a tip is a great way to express it. However, if you are not satisfied with the service then it’s not uncommon to leave a small tip or no tip at all.

How much do you have to tip in Germany?

How much you tip in Germany really depends on the bill and the service you had. For example, in bars and cafes, most locals round up their bill to the nearest euro as a tip. So, if their bill for 15,50 euros they would probably round it to 20 euros as a tip.

Do you have to tip if there’s a service charge?

You don’t necessarily have to tip your server if the service charge is included in your bill. However, do keep in the mind that the amount they’re charging you for doesn’t go to the server at all. So, to make up for this, you’re welcome to leave some trinkgeld for your server or round up your bill to the nearest euro.

General Rules to Tipping in Germany

Even though tipping is a voluntary act in Germany, there are some special occasions where locals would recommend it. These special occasions include:

Restaurants, Cafes, Bars

Since the service is not included in the bill, tips are always customary at restaurants, cafes and bars. A reasonable tip for these occasions is usually between 5-10% of the bill so any more would be very generous. However, do keep in mind, if you’re paying by card, it’s best to leave the tip in cash. This ensures that all of it goes to the server since adding it by card can be a mystery. But then again, some establishments may have card machines that allow you to add a tip for the server electronically.

In addition, some restaurants, cafes, and bars may also have a tip jar located on the front counter where you can leave some coins. Rounding up the bill as I mentioned before, is also another standard practice among locals. They do it in sit-down cafes, classy bars, and casual restaurants so it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

What is out of the ordinary however is leaving your tip on the table! Instead of doing that, hand the cash or card to the server and let them know the total amount you want to pay for your bill including tip. This will help your server enter in everything properly on the machine so that everything’s accounted for properly.

Accommodation

If you’re planning to book your accommodation at a hostel, guesthouse, or Airbnb then tipping is definitely not required. However, if the staff ends up helping you with extra information or assistance then tipping can be okay in this instance.

In fact, if you’re staying at a hostel, it’s actually customary to tip your porter 2-3 euros per bag for carrying your luggage to your room. The same amount can also be expected to be paid to a parking attendant if he or she is parking your car for you. In addition, if there is a maid or cleaning service for your room tipping 2-3 euros a day is a standard amount. As for the reception desk, the amount may go up to 10 euros if additional services were provided.

Taxis

When it comes to taxi cabs, tipping is generally not necessary in Germany. However, if you do end up leaving one for your taxi driver it’s generally the most generous and courteous thing to do. To give you an estimate, most Germans usually round up their fare to the nearest Euro as a tip. So, for instance, if your cab fare was 18,50 euros then you can round it up to 20 euros and have your cab driver keep the rest.

However, do keep in mind, you don’t have to tip if the service wasn’t good. Tipping should only be an option if the driver went above and beyond to make your ride comfortable by carrying your bags or helping you in any other way.

Coat Checks

If there isn’t a fee for checking in your coat in Germany, tips are generally recommended in cloakrooms. These cloakrooms can be found in restaurants, bars, and theaters and the customary tip can be anywhere between 0,50 cents to 2 euros.

Salons

Since hairdressers and manicurists receive low salaries, tipping is generally recommended in hair and nail salons. On average, tips at these salons are usually between 5-10 percent of the bill but they’re highly dependent on the quality of service you had.

Tattoo Parlors

When it comes to tattoo parlors, tipping is not generally expected in this occasion. However, if you’re planning on getting a tattoo that’s very large and complex, the tattoo artist will gladly appreciate the tip if they did it well. On average, a tip of around 5% of the total price should suffice or you can leave your tip at a tip bar by the front desk so that it can be split between all the staff.

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Overall, I really hope you enjoyed reading this post on everything you need to know about tipping in Germany. Please let me know in the comments down below which fact about it surprised you the most. I would love to hear from you! 🙂

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