Tipping in Germany: Who to Tip and How Much
Last updated · Reviewed by SnapTipCalc Editorial
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. |
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.
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. |
Comparing with the US? See the full hotel tipping guide.
Mistakes visitors make in Germany
- Leaving cash on the table and walking out. In Germany you hand the tip to the server as you pay.
- Saying 'thank you' when handing over a large note — 'danke' is often heard as 'keep the change'. Say the amount you want to pay instead.
- Tipping 20%. It is roughly double the local norm.
- Expecting a tip line on a card receipt. State the total to the server before they enter the amount.
- Assuming card is always accepted. Many Kneipen and smaller restaurants are still cash-only.
Work out the exact amount
Enter your bill in EUR and pick a percentage with the tip calculator, or split the bill between everyone at the table.
Tipping in Germany: FAQ
Do you tip in Germany?
Yes, modestly. Tipping in Germany is customary at restaurants, bars, taxis, and salons: 5–10% for good service, or simply rounding up. Servers earn at least the statutory minimum wage, so the tip is a supplement rather than their income. Not tipping at a nice restaurant would be noticed, but nobody depends on it.
How do you tip in a German restaurant?
You tell the server the total you want to pay as you hand over cash or the card. On a €18.40 bill, saying 'zwanzig' means pay €20 and keep €1.60. Saying 'stimmt so' means keep the change. Do not leave cash on the table and walk out — that is not the German custom and the tip may be missed.
How much is a normal tip in Germany?
5–10% of the bill. On a €50 dinner that is €2.50–€5, usually rounded to a convenient number. For a coffee or a beer, rounding up to the next euro is enough. American-style 18–20% is roughly double the German norm.
What does 'stimmt so' mean?
It literally means 'that's right' and functions as 'keep the change'. You say it when handing over money you do not want change back from. If you want a specific total instead, just say the number — for example 'dreißig' for €30 — and the server will return the difference.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Germany?
Round up or add 5–10%, typically €1–€2 on a city fare. As in restaurants, say the total you want to pay rather than leaving money behind. Add a little more if the driver loads heavy luggage or waits for you.
Tipping in other countries
- Tipping in Japan
- Tipping in Norway
- Tipping in Italy
- Tipping in France
- Tipping in Spain
- Tipping in the United Kingdom
- Tipping in Mexico
- All 50+ 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.