To Tip or Not to Tip in Italy: A Simple Guide for Travelers
Tipping in Italy is not the same as it is in the United States. This is mostly because service providers in Italy are paid a living wage by their employers.
Italians prefer that visitors tip the same way they do while they are in their country to protect their culture and discourage impolite behavior by their service workers.
In Italy, tips aren’t required or expected, however, a tip for excellent service is always appreciated, but it does not need to be at the amounts Americans are accustomed to giving.
Confusing, right?
Let’s break it down by the services provided.
Restaurants
Coperto: This is a cover charge to sit at a table, and sometimes for bread. It ranges from €1-4 and is often included in the bill, especially in tourist-heavy areas. This is not a tip, so you can provide a tip even when there is a cover charge included in the bill.
Servizio: This is a service charge, an included tip, and is often 15-20% of the bill. If there is a servizio charge on your bill, you do not need to leave an additional tip.
If service was exceptional, and the servizio isn’t on your bill, leaving a small tip of a few euros on the table is appreciated. Italians often round up the bill rather than leave a fixed percentage. At higher-end restaurants, a tip for great service could be 10% of the bill.
Cafes
In cafés, particularly when standing at the bar, tipping is rare. If seated at a table, rounding up the bill or leaving small change is common for good service.
Drivers
Tipping taxi drivers is not common, but rounding up the fare to the next euro or leaving a small tip for good service is appreciated.
Private drivers may appreciate €5 for a one way pick up or drop off or 10% for a full day of driving with multiple stops.
Hotel/Villa Services
Housekeeping staff may appreciate small tips, usually €1 per person per day. It’s best to leave the tip daily to ensure good service during your stay, but again, this is not a strong expectation.
Tipping the hotel porter is not required but is always appreciated. Standard practice is €1 per bag or €5 total.
Spa Services
Tipping 10% for exceptional service is appropriate, but a tip is not required.
Private Chefs
Tipping 10% of the total food bill in cash at the end of the night is appropriate, but not required.
Tour Guides
For paid tours, a tip is not expected but is very much appreciated. For excellent service, a common tip is €5 per person for a half day tour and €10 per person for a full day tour. However, if you take a guided tour with the owner, you do not need to provide a tip.
When tipping, follow these rules of thumb:
Tip with cash, not a credit card
Don’t tip with small coins less than € 1 unless at a bar
A coperto is a cover charge, not a tip
Don’t tip if the servizio is already on the bill
Don’t tip the owner of a company, restaurant, etc.
If someone is bothering you for a tip, don’t give one
The urge will be there to tip generously like you do at home, however, not only is it unnecessary, but it could also harm the culture that currently exists in Italy. Tip wisely in reasonable amounts and only for exceptional service.
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