How To Tip in Germany - Local's Guide [2024] - Navigate Germany

Tipping norms are usually set by the public so whenever you are moving Germany, know about the tipping norms.

Tipping Culture in Germany

Germany is an advanced country and people are getting good wages from their jobs compared to the other European countries. Just like any other profession, waiters are also getting good from their work due to which Germans tend to give lower tips to the waiters or other people like them. Here are some tipping options Germans will share with you when you ask them about tipping in germany;

• Round off the food bill to the next whole to tip food servers. For example, if your bill amount is 42.3 Euros, pay 43 Euros. 0.7 Euros will be the waiter’s tip which is very low.
• Pay the waiter an amount equal to the price of a drink. Trinkgeld actually means drink money.
• No need to tip if you do not like the service. It is a very common way of getting away with tips.

Tip Expected by Receivers

Food servers in Germany earn very less tips than other countries. You should tip the waiter 10%-15% of your food bill. For example, if your food bill is 42.3 Euros, pay 2.4 Euros to the waiter.

How Much to Tip in Germany?

• Pay 15% of your food bill as a tip if the service offered was highly satisfactory. Good service is all about speed of the service.
• If you are just satisfied with the service, pay 10% of your food bill.
• If you receive an average service, pay 5% of the bill. 

When and How To Tip in Germany?

Tipping has a process to be followed. 

• Tell the waiter the amount of the tip when the waiter brings your bill and a credit card machine.
• The waiter can get it by swiping the card or adding the tip amount to the bill.
• You can pay the tip separately in cash so the tip goes the waiter directly.
• Drop a coin or two to the piggy bank during the service to tip the waiter. All waiter divide the total amount at the end of the day.
• Customers drop tips on the dish placed outside the restaurant when leaving the restaurant. You will find a few dishes where the minimum amount of the tip is mentioned. 

Tipping Servers other than Food Servers

Many servers other than food servers expect tips in exchange for their service. It is totally your choice that how much tip you want to give to the server based on the quality of the service.

Tipping at a Hair Salon

Tip your hairdresser if you are happy with your haircut either through cash or put it in the small piggy bank.

Tipping a taxi Driver

Use the app to pay the tip if you are using Uber or any other online taxi service. Tipping 2 to 5 Euros is more than enough for a ride to Berlin Gate.

Tipping the Tour Guide

Locals form groups to guide the tourists around the places without charging anything, so tip them for their voluntary services.

Tipping a Delivery Rider

Due to low wages, delivery boys depend on the tip they receive. Pay them the tip you want or equal to the amount of tip you pay to the driver.

Tipping the Movers

Moving is a one-time but very hard service, so tipping the movers in a good way is always generous. The amont of the tip depends on your budget and the task difficulty.

Tipping in Bars

Rounding up your food bill is not a good idea, but tipping this way in bars is always acceptable. A bar drink costs around 5-10 Euros.

Tipping in German Hotels

If you are satisfied with the porter’s service, you can tip a porter in the German hotel with a little amount. 

Final Words

The practices of German Trinkergeld varies but are quite stingy. The services are of high quality but the tips are always less. Whenever you visit Germany, tip generously to leave a good impression.