Visiting Germany and unsure what to do when you get your bill?
Planning an international trip can be difficult, due to the various cultural norms. Tipping culture, in particular, can be difficult to navigate, particularly if you are an American visiting Germany, where the expectations are very different.
Unlike in the United States, waiters and staff in Germany do earn a living wage. However, their salaries aren’t very high, so it’s still considered polite to leave a tip.
While tipping has become increasingly common, it is also not required. Read our guide below to learn more.
How Much to Tip in Germany
The German word for tipping is “Trinkgeld”, which means money for drinks. It’s not considered part of a worker’s salary and is therefore not taxed. It’s polite to leave 10% for good service. However, tipping can range between 5-10%, especially in restaurants.
When only getting drinks, many locals may even opt to round up to the nearest bill when leaving a tip (for example: 16.90 can get round up to 20 Euros).
When to Tip
In the United States, it can be common to tip by leaving cash on the table. In Germany, you usually round up when paying the bill. For example: If a waiter says the bill is 15 Euros, you can say you’ll pay 20. It’s understood that the difference is meant for the waiter to keep.
Where to Tip
You can tip at restaurants, with taxis, hair salons, and at fancier hotels. It’s less common to tip at cafes when grabbing a coffee or anything that is related to self-service.
Cash or Card?
If card and cash are accepted, you can tip with either.
However, Germans are less likely to use credit cards than Americans. Another challenge is that their debit cards aren’t tied to a credit card provider like Mastercard or VISA.
Credit cards are increasingly being accepted, but there are still gaps in terms of which places will take them and which won’t. Many bigger cities such as Stuttgart, Hamburg, or Munich will accept card in more places. Local pubs and restaurants may not.
We recommend getting some foreign currency before you travel for visiting places that are less touristy and more local.
Restaurant Culture in Germany
The one last thing that is important to note is that since waiters and servers are not dependent on tips for their salaries, tables don’t need to be “flipped” in the same way. For this reason, you likely won’t see your server as much and most Germans prefer this. Many will spend hours at a beer garden or a longer time at restaurants relaxing with friends and famiily. If you are in a rush, it’s usually easiest to let your waiter know at the start.
Final Thoughts
Tipping culture is different in Germany that in the United States. While not required, it is considered polite in most circumstances to show some appreciation for the staff. Any other questions? Leave them in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tipping in Germany
Have more questions about tipping in Germany? Check out frequently asked questions below:
Do you leave a tip on a table in Germany?
No, you do not leave the tip on the table in Germany. Instead, you give the tip to the waiter while you are paying.
Is tipping in Germany expected?
Most servers will expect some sort of tip, but as noted above it’s not mandatory or expected in the same way as it is in the US.
Is it okay to tip in US dollars in Europe?
No, you should not give a tip in US dollars in Europe. You should instead tip in the local currency. For Germany, you should tip in Euros.
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