One of the most asked questions in traveller forums is:
And it is not just a phenomenon that affects travelers who come to Germany or Munich. Since almost every country and culture has its own established rules and customs regarding the art of „tipping correctly“, at some point every traveler asks this question.
I would like to introduce you to the art of tipping in Munich and Germany. It differs to a large extent from the habits you may know from your home country.
Tipping in Germany, Bavaria and Munich
Let it be said in principle: In every part of Germany, tips are always given, although not as extensively as in other countries like the USA. But especially in gastronomy, it is done as a nice gesture by almost everybody.
So who should you tip as a traveler in Germany and where should you rather not tip? Here is a simple list for you where to tip.
The tipping procedure
If you come from a Mediterranean country like Greece, Italy, or Spain or from other parts of the world for example from the USA, the „German way“ of tipping will confuse you at first and you will feel uncomfortable. This is where we tend to have a culture clash. Different points of view meet and often tourists will think that German waiters and waitresses are generally unfriendly. But this is not the case. It is just a different way of interacting with each other. I will now explain to you how tipping is done in Germany. Try to memorize the procedure so that you do not risk experiencing a culture shock 🙂.
Step 1 - You're ready to pay your bill
There comes a time when the best meal is eaten or the best drink is drunk and you would like to pay. In Germany, it is quite common to draw the attention of waiters and waitresses to you by discreetly signaling to them. And here the culture shock already begins. In some cultures, it is customary for waiters and waitresses to constantly inquire about the guests‘ well-being. Thus, rule number one is: get yourself noticed as soon as you want to pay.
Step 2: The waiting staff arrives at your table
After the waitress/waiter has arrived at your table, you tell him/her you would like to pay. Please be aware in Germany it is common practice to pay separately or to split the bill, especially if you are in a group of friends. This type of paying is known in parts of the world as „Going Dutch“. In Germany, it is very common.
So it may happen that the waitress/waiter will ask you whether you would like to pay the complete check or whether she/he should prepare separate checks.
Step 3: Paying & tipping
Now things are getting a bit hectic and the moment of the final culture shock has arrived. Paying the check with simultaneous tip calculation.
Germans are very effective when it comes to paying. The payment process consists of several interconnected actions. So we will slow down here a bit and separate the task.
Step 3a: Checking the bill
First, the waitress/waiter will present you the bill. Look at the total amount you have to pay. Note that VAT is already included and that there is no „service charge“, „automated gratuity“ or „recommended gratuity“ in Germany. So you only have to pay the amount you can see as the total on the bill.
Step 3b: Calculating the tip
Now things happen quickly: You have to calculate the desired tip in your head and add it to the total amount of the bill while the waitress/waiter waits next to you. You have read that correctly. The waitress/waiter will usually wait next to you and not as in other countries leave the table again so that you can decide in a more relaxed way how much you want to tip. Often foreigners feel the waiting staff wants them to leave quickly as they wait beside them for payment. For Germans, this is normal and part of everyday living. The waiting staff doesn’t want to hurry or stress you, it’s just the culture here.
Step 3c: Finally paying (with tip)
After you know how much you want to pay including the tip, you tell the waitress/waiter the final amount. She/he will then usually give you the change for the specified amount. In case you are paying by card, she will usually enter the stated amount into the card payment terminal and you can pay as usual (PIN or signature).
How much tip should I give?
Now you know how tipping works in Germany. But the most important question is still unanswered. How much do you actually tip? Many travel books and also the internet often give the answer: 10% of the total amount.
But this is only a basic rule of thumb. Actually, it is a little different, but not necessarily more difficult. As a traveler, you just have to get used to it. So in the following rules of thumb, you will get the ultimate knowledge about how much you should tip in Munich, Bavaria, and Germany.
Rules of thumb when tipping in a restaurant
Keep in mind that tipping in Germany is not necessary, as tips are not used to top up the low wages of the service staff. Tips are just a nice „add-on“ for the waitresses and waiters, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tip.
Many travel books state you don’t have to tip in Germany. That is true… you don’t have to, but tipping is very common and considered as polite and nearly everyone does.
Keep in mind that tipping in Germany is not necessary, as tips are not used to top up the low wages of the service staff. Tips are just a nice „add-on“ for the waitresses and waiters, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tip.
Many travel books state you don’t have to tip in Germany. That is true… you don’t have to, but tipping is very common and considered as polite and nearly everyone does.
Always add up to the next round amount. For example, 28,70 € is rounded to 30,00 €, but don’t let the tip fall under 1,00 €. A tip of 0,90 € or less is considered impolite (unless you’re a backpacker or student on a budget, then a lower tip is ok).
The more people you are and the higher the amount of the total bill, the higher should be the tip. A good amount is between one and two Euros per Person.
Example: 5 persons with a bill of 123,40 €. A total including the tip of 125,00 € is good, 130,00 € is very polite and 135,00 € is quite generous.
The more high class a restaurant is, the higher is the tip. While it is completely ok to add up to the next round amount in a regular restaurant or beer hall, you should be more generous when going out for fine dining. I would then recommend around 10% to 15% of the total bill and rounded to an even number.
Example: Two persons with a bill of 137,70 € in a high-class restaurant. 150,00 € is good, 155,00 € is generous and 160,00 € is very generous.
Rules of thumb when tipping other services
Cleaning staff in a restroom
In public restrooms, but also partly in the restrooms of larger restaurants, theatres, and similar facilities, cleaning staff can be found. Often these staffs have a table and a seat at the entrance of the restroom. On this table, you can often find a plate or a bowl where you can leave coins – tip.
Even if it may seem you have to pay a fee, you do not have to pay for the use of the toilet (unless it is indicated!). However, the cleaning staff will be happy for a small tip, which you can throw into the plate or bowl after leaving the restroom.
An amount of 0,20 € to 0,50 € is sufficient.
If there is a tip or not, everybody should decide by himself.
Taxi drivers
In Germany, it is common practice to also tip taxi drivers or other taxi-like drivers as soon as you have reached your destination or finished your journey.
After the driver has told you the price or shown it to you on the taximeter, you can pay either with cash or with a card.
If you pay cash, tipping works the same way as in a restaurant. You calculate the total amount including the tip in your head and tell the driver the amount. The driver will give you the appropriate change. When paying by card, you specify the desired amount and simply pay with a PIN or signature. For some trips, you can pay in advance via a mobile app and add a tip to your bill if you like. It is ok to add up to the next round amount.
Examples: A Taxi ride within Munich for 23,80 €. Adding up to 25,00 € is good. A taxi ride from Munich International Airport to the city center for 86,30 €. Adding up to 90,00 € is good.
Takeaways and fast-food chains
In the many fast-food chains, coffee shops, and takeaways it is not necessary to tip. Usually, you enter the shop, order something and take it with you in a package or eat it at the shop.
It is not necessary to leave a tip here, even if there is a tip jar at the cash desk.
Of course, you may tip if you like, but you shouldn’t have a bad conscience if you decide not to do so.
If you decide to throw a little tip into the tip jar, take some spare change. 0,50 € to 1,50 € is good.
Do you have any further questions on tipping in Germany? I will be happy to answer them!
