We’re often asked – do you need to tip in Italy? And the answer is very simple. Yes, please go ahead and tip if you would like to show your appreciation for great service however tipping large amounts is not standard practice in Italy.
Visitors from the United States are used to tipping in many different interactions throughout their day however Italians, like most other cultures outside North America, do not tip large amounts.
In this article, we go through different scenarios such as tipping at Italian restaurants, taxis and tour guides so you know what to expect when you visit Italy.
Tipping Culture in Italy
In Italy, leaving large tips is not common practice. This is because the terms of employment of workers in service industries includes paid sick leave, paid vacations (up to 6 weeks per year) and health care. Some workers may be paid cash in hand and in this case, it is unlikely they are paying taxes which are around 30% in Italy. As a general rule, when Italians leave a tip, it is usually a nominal amount of a few Euros per person or rounding up their check.
This is an approach that Australian, British, people from New Zealand or other European travelers are comfortable with as the tipping culture in those countries is similar to that of Italy.
Different Rules for Tourists?
In the last couple of years, we’ve noticed a trend emerging. In the major tourist areas (Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre) directly asking tourists for a tip is becoming more common. This can be a very awkward situation and does nothing to help the reputation of Italian service providers. Unfortunately, they have assumed that all tourists are American or Canadian and are used to tipping.
If this happens to you, our advice is to ignore or politely decline the request by saying, non, grazie.
When and How Much to Tip in Italy
Tipping customs and etiquette can feel awkward when they are new to us so here are some general guidelines to follow if you would like some more detail.
Restaurants and Caffés
When dining out in Italy go right ahead and round up your check to the nearest €5 or €10. That’s what Italians do. However in these days of paying by card, often you are given no opportunity to add a gratuity. In this case our Italian friends leave a few Euros in cash or nothing at all.
If you’re dining out in popular tourist areas like Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast, you may notice a service charge “servizio” added to your check. Usually around 10-20%, this service charge is essentially a tip and there is no need to offer further gratuities on top of this.
The servizio (service charge) is not to be confused with coperto (cover charge) – a per person fee of around €2-3 that covers linen, cutlery, bread and other things on the table. This is paid to the restaurant and not distributed among staff.
Both the servizio and coperto must be clearly displayed on the dining establishment’s menu prior to entering the property by law and itemized on your check. They are not optional charges.
Of course, if you are absolutely delighted with your meal and service, please feel free to offer a generous tip. It will certainly be appreciated.
Tour Guides and Drivers
Tipping your tour guide or driver is optional in Italy however please do not hesitate to show your appreciation if the guide or driver has given a wonderful service. We like to tip around €20 for a half day tour and more for a full day if we’ve been impressed with the tour or service.
Taxis and Transportation
Want to pay for your taxi ride by cash? A tip is not expected in taxis but rounding up to the nearest €5 is a likely scenario. Funny isn’t it how taxi drivers don’t seem to have the right change all over the world.
To be fair, paying by card or debit card for taxis and transportation is the norm these days in Italy. We use the FreeNow app in Rome that works like Uber for example. This app gives you the option to leave a tip and we have to admit we do add a small tip to boost our profile with the drivers. Taxis are few and far between in Rome and Italy in general so anything that gives you a little edge when it comes to securing a ride is worth a try. But again, tips are not expected.
Hotel and Accommodation Services
Did you use the porterage service at your hotel or order room service? Once again, Italians do not tip in these scenarios. If you would like to show your appreciation €1-2 per service is appropriate. For housekeeping services, we suggest €1 per day.
Hairdressing and other Personal Services
Booking in for a weekly blow out is part of the beauty regime of many Italian women. Do they tip for this service? No, they don’t. If you would like to offer a gratuity for your hair cut, blow out or color or other beauty service, a tip of around €5 would be greatly received.
LISTEN: To our podcast on Tipping In Italy for a deeper dive.
Tipping in Italy: The Final Word
The subject of tipping in Italy comes up daily in our online community and there are varying opinions on what visitors should and shouldn’t do when it comes to adding gratuities to services they receive. However, Italians do not have a tipping culture like the one that exists in the United States and Canada and would not expect a tip from fellow Italians. If you experience wonderful service, go right ahead and leave a generous tip if you choose, it will be greatly appreciated but not expected.
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