Tipping In Italy: The Ultimate Guide, From A Local

Traveling to Europe and wondering if there is tipping in Italy? You are in the right place: I am a local and will tell you everything there is to know.

Tipping culture is one of the most confusing things for international travelers, and many don’t research it before planning a trip. However, it varies greatly from region to region and country to country.

For example, tipping in the UK is a little more common than in neighboring European countries. Most of us know how important tipping is in the United States: I used to live there, and have recently visited New York and was shocked at how now even higher tips are expected anywhere. We also know it’s much less common in nearby Canada or Mexico.

Fortunately, tipping here is easy. That’s because it’s rarely expected. Tipping in situations where it’s not expected can actually be harmful to local culture and customs. So, when in doubt, just don’t do it.

I am a local – born and raised in Italy, and this is where I live after having spent around 10 years between the United States and England. So you can my recommendations on Italy tipping – because when in doubt, you should always do as the locals do, right?

In this guide, I’ll talk about tipping, when to tip (and when not to), and how much to tip. This is an important thing to consider before visiting all the amazing places in Italy, so let’s get right into the ultimate guide to Italy tipping.

Is There Tipping In Italy?

Generally speaking, tipping is not common in Italy. When people do tip, they don’t tip a fortune (and certainly not the minimum 18% and up to 35% tip that I have seen waiters expect in restaurants in New York!).

Usually, people just leave the change from a bill as a tip, and only when service is exceptional.

If you just want a quick answer, here’s a brief breakdown of tipping customs in Italy and the expected amount. We’ll go further into detail throughout the rest of this article.

The Situation	Should You Tip?
Sit-Down Restaurants	Optional: If the service is outstanding, you can tip up to around 10% of your total or change from the bill
Cafe	Optional: If you receive table service, you can leave the change from your bill
Bartenders	No
Drivers/Taxis	No
Tour Guides	Optional: If the guide is good, you can tip around ~5 Euros for the tour
Hotel Porter	Yes: If they carry your bags, you can tip €1
Hotel Concierge	Optional: If you use their services and they help you out, you can tip between €5-€10
Hotel Housekeeping	Optional: Around €1 per day if the room is cleaned
Beauty Salons and Spas	No

Tipping in Restaurants

Understanding your bill at a restaurant

Before thinking about tipping in restaurants, you should understand your bill because it’s possible the tip (or servizio) is included in the total already.

In Italy, three charges may be added to your bill: coperto, pane, and servizio. If one of these is present, you don’t really have to worry about tipping.

Here’s a brief description of what each is and why you have to pay it:

COPERTO: Coperto directly translates to “covered” in English and refers back to medieval times when people would seek cover in restaurants for hours during bad weather. It is a small charge (usually around €1-€3 per person) that covers basic use and cleaning of a table. It usually includes the bread, unless otherwise specified.

PANE: Pane translates to “bread” in English and is usually included in the coperto (restaurants rarely have both). You pay a small fee (around €1-€2) for bread and basic seasonings and condiments on the table.

SERVIZIO: Servizio translates to “service” in English and is basically a tip, so if this is included, you definitely don’t have to tip. The charge is usually 10%-15% of the bill and added when there’s a group of 8 or more people.

All of these charges should be clearly stated on the final bill, so make sure you read through them before deciding whether to tip.

It’s also important to note that not all restaurants or cities in Italy will include extra charges. For example, Lazio, the region where Rome is, has banned the coperto.

Do you need to tip at a sit-down restaurant?

You will certainly visit a restaurant or many during your trip to Italy, to enjoy the delicious Italian food. In a country like the United States, tipping becomes a large part of a daily budget during a trip, because it is expected. Thankfully it’s not the case here.

Restaurant tipping is optional, regardless of whether an additional charge has been added. It’s not expected, but it’s not unheard of, either.

If you’d like to tip at a restaurant, you can leave the change on your bill. For example, if your total bill came out €17, you can leave the change as a tip.

Honestly, I think tipping €1-€2 per person is plenty. However, some people prefer to leave a 10% tip for the whole table (especially at more touristy restaurants or if you’ve had phenomenal service).

Do you need to tip at a cafe?

Compared to tipping in restaurants, tipping at a cafe is even less common. I mostly drink my coffee at the counter, so I never leave a tip. In fact, I don’t even tip on the occasions I get coffee and breakfast at a table. It’s simply something we do not do here.

Having said so, if you get table service, you can leave a coin on your bill upon leaving or the change from the bill you paid.

Do you need to tip your bartender?

No, you do not need to tip your bartender, and nobody ever does.

Tipping Taxis and Drivers

You don’t need to tip taxis, drivers, or shuttle drivers in Italy. However, if they don’t have change for your cash, you can always leave the change as a tip (if it’s a small amount).

For example, if your ride costs €19, you can give a €20 and ask for no change. Furthermore, keep in mind that nowadays all taxis in Italy can be paid by card, so you don’t even have to carry change.

Tipping tour guides

Once we get into more tourist activities and services, tipping becomes slightly more common – but again, it’s only foreign tourists that do it. I travel a lot around Italy and I think I have only tipped a guide once, and that’s because he really was outstanding.

If you take a day tour in Italy, and the guide is excellent, you can tip €5 or €10 (the longer the tour, the more you should tip on the higher end).

But if your guide was nothing special, not very informative, or organized, don’t worry about tipping. Again, we Italians aren’t expected to tip guides and you certainly aren’t expected to do so either.

Tipping in hotels

Do you need to tip your porter?

You can tip the porter/bellhop/doorman €1 per bag if they carry it upstairs or a far distance from the entrance. If it’s just from the lobby to a room 100 meters away, don’t worry about it.

Do you need to tip the concierge?

You can tip the concierge €5 or €10 if they’ve been exceptionally helpful. For example, I’ve given a small tip when they’ve shared some local secrets with me or helped me find last-minute entry tickets to an event. You are definitely not expected to tip if you don’t use their service. You don’t have to tip the receptionist either.

Do you need to tip housekeeping?

You can tip housekeeping around €1 per day if they’ve done a good job cleaning the room. Sometimes, there are little envelopes in the room for these tips. Other times, you can give the tip to the concierge upon checking out and ask them to give it to housekeeping. Let me however stress this isn’t expected or necessary.

Tipping in beauty salons and spas

You do not need to tip at beauty salons, spas, or hairdressers in Italy. It’s not common nor expected, no matter the service. I have never done it, and none of my friends and family do it either.

Why Is There No Tipping In Italy?

The lack of tipping is certainly a bonus if you’re used to having to leave massive tips with every other purchase or snack. Tipping here is not common for two main reasons.

First, the wait staff are paid a fair salary. Usually, wait staff and those in the service industry are paid a monthly wage. The wage is a livable amount and does not account for a plethora of tips or anything.

Second, if a service charge is necessary, they will include it in the bill the same way taxes are already factored into the final price of a product.

Unlike places like the United States, where taxes are added to the listed price of an item, the taxes are included in the price of an item in Italy. So you won’t have any unexpected additional charges.

With tipping, they can include the tip or service charge as pane, coperto, or servizio.

Why Tipping In Italy When It’s Not Expected Can Be Harmful

If you’re from a country where tipping larger amounts often is normal, you might think you’re doing Italy a great service by tipping. However, one of my important tips for visiting Italy is to consider the local culture and customs while traveling here.

Tipping is just not a part of our culture and I would like to ask you to respect this.

In fact, tipping when it’s not called for can be harmful to our society. It would create an expectation that locals aren’t capable or willing to meet, and those in the service industry would begin to prefer tourists to local customers.

So, when it comes to tipping, just do as we locals do, and refrain for the most part.

Summary On Tipping In Italy

When you’re planning a trip to Italy, you’ll want to look at finances and budget. And while a European holiday isn’t always the cheapest option, not having to tip can take a small burden off your shoulders.

So, try to look at the bright side and roll with what the locals do. I beg you, not to show up and start tipping everywhere and anywhere. It is harmful for us locals, and is simply not necessary.

Instead, enjoy the beautiful country, cuisine, and people, and treat everyone with a genuine smile and respect. That’s an acceptable tip in most cases.

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