Who to tip in Germany
| Situation | Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | 5–10% | State the total as you pay. On €46, say 'fünfzig' for a €4 tip. |
| Bar / Kneipe | Round up per round | €0.50–€1 per drink, or round the tab up to the nearest euro. |
| Café | Round up | Leaving the change from a coffee is normal. |
| Taxi | Round up, or 5–10% | €1–€2 on a city fare. Say the rounded total when paying. |
| Food delivery | €1–€3 | Cash at the door is preferred by most drivers. |
| Hairdresser | 5–10% | €2–€5 for a standard cut, handed to the stylist directly. |
| Tour guide | €5–€10 per person | Free walking tours in Berlin and Munich run on tips: €10–€15 per person. |
| Public restroom | €0.50–€1 | The attendant's plate at a station or motorway stop. Standard practice. |
Sourced guidanceCustomary amounts in GermanyLast verified Aug 5, 2026Source: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, Minimum Wage Rates in Germany
How tipping works in Germany
Germany sits between the no-tipping north and the tip-dependent US. Servers earn at least the statutory minimum wage (€12.82/hour in 2025), so tips are a supplement, not a salary. A 5–10% Trinkgeld for good table service is normal and expected enough that skipping it entirely at a nice restaurant would be noticed.
The mechanics matter more than the amount. German servers bring the card terminal or a wallet to your table and settle the bill in person. You state the amount you want to pay including the tip, or say 'stimmt so' to leave the change. Leaving money on the table and walking out is not the custom, and in a busy restaurant it can simply be missed.
Bills are often split at the table without complaint. 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' — together or separate? — is a standard question, and each person tips on their own portion.
Service charge rules
No mandatory service charge. German law requires displayed prices to be final, including 19% VAT (7% for takeaway food) and labor. You may occasionally see a service charge for large groups, which must be disclosed in advance.
Official dataPricing and service-charge rules in GermanyLast verified Aug 5, 2026Source: European Consumer Centre Network, Consumer Information for Travellers in the EU
Hotel tipping in Germany
| Hotel role | Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Housekeeping | €1–€2 per night | Cash left in the room, optional but appreciated. |
| Bellhop / porter | €1–€2 per bag | Cash at hand-off. |
| Concierge | €5–€20 | Only for a genuinely difficult request. |
| Room service | €2–€5 | State the rounded total when signing. |
| Restaurant staff at hotel | 5–10% | Same rules as any restaurant — tell the server the amount. |
Sourced guidanceHotel norms in GermanyLast verified Aug 5, 2026Source: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, Minimum Wage Rates in Germany
Comparing with the US? See the full hotel tipping guide.
Mistakes visitors make in Germany
Work out the exact amount
Enter your bill in EUR and pick a percentage — the calculator handles the split and the rounding.
Tipping in Germany: FAQ
Tipping in other countries
Sources
- Minimum Wage Rates in Germany — Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales
- Consumer Information for Travellers in the EU — European Consumer Centre Network
See our methodology for how we research and update tipping guidance.
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