When and How Much to Tip in Italy

“There’s no tipping in Italy!” “Italians never leave tips — only Americans do!” “The waiter will be offended if you tip!”

Sigh. I get more than a little dismayed when I hear travel guides, Italy novices, and even so-called experts proclaim that there’s no tipping in Italy. First, because it’s not entirely accurate, and second, because the message is usually conveyed with a certain smugness — like you’re getting away with something by not tipping and you’re a chump if you do tip.

I’ve been living in Italy for 15 years, and I’ve seen the practice of tipping evolve a lot in that time. And honestly, it’s still a work in progress. But, like springing for the gondola ride in Venice, it’s an Italian hill I will die on. Yes, you should tip here — just differently than the way you might tip in the U.S. I’m here to clear up some of the mysteries of tipping in Italy, and explain when you should do it, how much you should tip when you do, and when tipping is not necessary,

The Service Industry in Italy

Italian workers in virtually every legitimate line of work, whether in hotels, restaurants, or other industries, are paid a fixed monthly salary, with a minimum monthly stipend set by the state — though employers may choose to offer more than the minimum required amount. Waitstaff at restaurants earn monthly salaries they can live off, and pensions they can eventually retire on. And unlike in the US, they are not dependent on tips for their livelihood. For many, waiting tables is a career — not just something they can do until they find something better. That’s why you’ll notice so many Italian waitstaff, particularly men well past college age, proudly pulling out the chair for you at the same restaurant tables they’ve presided over for decades. This traditional employment model meant that tips were never a vital part of a waitperson’s income, but tipping in Italy is increasingly the norm, and it’s definitely appreciated.

How to Tip in Restaurants

If you’ve ever dined in a sit-down restaurant in Italy, you may have noticed a cover charge added to your bill. It will be listed as servizio, coperto, or pane e coperto, the latter of which means “bread and cover.” It’s a small fee, usually between €1 and €3 per person, that almost every restaurant charges. For example, your party of four, if charged a €2 per person cover charge, will have €8 added to the final bill. That cover charge should take the place of a tip, but in reality, the chance of it trickling down to your server is pretty remote.

So yes, you can and should leave a tip to show your appreciation of good service — but it doesn’t have to be of the 20 percent variety we’re used to in the States. Here are some guidelines:

Waitstaff

• If you’re seated and ordering at a table, reward good service with a small tip of about €1 per diner. Sometimes it’s easier to just round up a check, say leaving a total of €40 on a €37 tab.
• If there are a lot of people in your party, you’ve been there for hours, and you’ve run up a big tab, leaving €10-€20, depending on the total bill, will delight your server. Plus, odds are they’ll remember you and treat you well should you visit again, too.
• You don’t need to tip more than 10 percent of the total bill, and 5-8 percent is more the norm.
• If service is rude, rushed, or indifferent, don’t feel like you need to leave a tip.
• Always tip in cash, even if you charge the meal.
• If there’s any doubt, make sure your server gets the tip by handing them the money, rather than leaving it on the table.
• Remember that in Italy, your server will not bring the check until you ask for it. You’re not being ignored — you’re just not being rushed.

Baristas and Bartenders

Other than at the most touristy bars, your espresso or cappuccino will likely cost between €1 and €2. If you want to leave a little change for the server at the coffee bar, or plunk something in the tip jar, even just 10, 20 or 50 cents is fine, but not expected.

Bartenders or servers bringing rounds of drinks to your table won’t expect a tip, but they’ll certainly appreciate a euro or two.

Taxi Drivers

Cabbies won’t expect a tip, but it’s nice to leave a euro or two if they’ve been especially friendly or helped you with your bags.

Hotel Staff

For hotel workers, tipping guidelines are similar to the U.S., except in smaller amounts. So you can leave €1 or €2 per night for housekeeping, unless you’ve made a real mess, there’s a lot to clean in your room, or you’re staying at a five-star hotel, then consider leaving more. I always try to remember to tip each day of my stay, since the housekeeping staff may change from day to day.

Bellhops will appreciate €1 per bag, but they may not even wait around long enough for you to get your wallet out — so if you feel compelled to tip, have your money ready or ask them to wait. Concierges and doormen won’t turn down your tip, but they won’t be expecting it, either.

Tour Guides

Your tour guide is likely to hang around a little while after your tour is over, and it’s customary to tip them. For a half-day tour, €5 per person is about right, or €10 for a full day. This also depends on how many people were in your group and how engaging and knowledgeable the guide was. For a guide who’s clearly reciting a script they’ve long since lost interest in, don’t feel compelled to leave more than a euro or two.

Bottom Line

I’m sure there are people who will argue that tipping in Italy is not only unnecessary, but even wrong, in that it ignores established cultural norms. But decades of growing influx of tourists, particularly Americans, has changed the culture, at least when it comes to tipping, and Italians are now more likely to tip than they were even 10 years ago or so.

At the end of the day, tipping is an act of kindness and appreciation, even if Italian servers may see € signs in their eyes when a table full of Americans arrives. The few euros you leave for your server, housekeeper, or taxi driver likely won’t make or break your vacation budget. It’s a nice bonus for the person who served you, and a relatively effortless, low-cost way for you to be a better visitor — and Italy certainly needs more of those.