Whenever we use a service in a foreign country, we ask ourselves the following: do I have to tip? And if so, how much? In some countries the tips show up on the receipt, while in others everyone knows how much they are supposed to tip. What should you din Greece?

Restaurants

You are not required to tip in restaurants. However, it’s common to round up the amount paid, especially when you pay in cash. If the bill is €13.40, it’s common to round up to €15, if you liked the food and service. Just leave the tip on the table or tell the server you don’t expect any change.

In tourist-type restaurants you should see a “service charge” added to the bill. This is the case where you can just round up the total amount paid and the change will be the tip. In traditional restaurants, there won’t be a “service charge”, so the tip should be 10 to 20%.

You will also see a “cover charge” on the bill which is literally the charge to cover your table and includes the bread and non-bottled water.

Tipping is optional but do remember that the waiters are young, sometimes here on a working holiday, and they relay on the tips as the wages are low. It is common for the waiters to collect the tips and share them at the end of the work day. In other cases, the owners don’t allow waiters to keep the tips (in this case, you’ll end up paying more for the food rather than showing your appreciation to the waiter).

Hotels

You are not required to tip for the service offered. But you can tip the server when they bring room service or when they carry the luggage.

Taxis

Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but they won’t turn them down either. Pay attention that there’s a charge for handling luggage (and yes, you have to pay that, it’s not a tip).

Public Toilets

When you have to go, you have to go. And while the public toilets don’t require you to pay any money, leave a small tip to the attendant.

Additional tips:

• There are no rules regarding tipping in Greece. So you are not required to leave a tip. If you choose to leave a tip, it’s your way to show appreciation for the service offered.




• Although credit/debit cards are used in Greece, most of the payments are made in cash. Especially if you go to a traditional taverna, don’t expect to just take out the card and pay with it. Likewise, when you go smaller stores, it’s not always possible to use the card. As a rule of thumb, the more remote the place is , the less chances to be able to use the card and to be required to tip.

You might also want to read about:

>> Food and Drink
>> Transportation in Greece
>> Accommodation in Greece

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