Tipping in Germany: 2026 Guide for Travelers

Restaurants: Say the Total Aloud

Ask for the bill with “Die Rechnung, bitte” or “Zahlen, bitte.” The server usually settles up at the table, often from a leather wallet of change, and will typically ask “Zusammen oder getrennt?” — together or separate? Paying separately for what each person ordered is completely normal in Germany, so you rarely need to divide anything yourself (see our bill-splitting guide for other situations).

Then name the total you want to pay. If the bill is €27.40, hand over a €50 note and say “30, bitte” (or “Machen Sie 30”), and the server gives you €20 back. If the cash you hand over already covers the bill plus the tip you want to leave, say “Stimmt so” — “that’s right” — and they’ll keep the change.

Don’t pay the exact amount and then leave coins on the table. The server has already closed the bill, and loose coins can look like forgotten change. A tip is handed over as part of the payment.

Paying by Card

Card acceptance has grown quickly in Germany, but plenty of bakeries, small restaurants, and beer gardens still prefer cash — look for “Nur Barzahlung” (cash only) by the door. When you do pay by card, tell the server the total before they type the amount into the handheld terminal: “35 mit Karte, bitte.” Some newer terminals display a tip screen, which works just as well.

It’s still worth carrying €10–20 in coins and small notes for tips, restrooms, and cash-only spots. Our cash vs. card tipping guide covers when each makes sense.

Cafés, Bars, and Beer Gardens

At a café or bar with table service, round up: a €4.20 cappuccino becomes €4.50 or €5. In Munich’s big beer halls, servers carry the steins to your table, and rounding up to the next euro — or about 10% on a larger tab — is standard.

In a self-service beer garden, where you collect your own food and drinks from the counter, nobody expects a tip. The extra euro or two you pay for your glass is a Pfand (deposit), refunded when you return it — it isn’t a tip.

Taxis, Hotels, and Other Services

• Taxis: round up to the next euro on short rides, or add about 10% if the driver helps with luggage. Uber and Bolt let you tip in the app afterward.
• Hotel porters: €1–2 per bag. Housekeeping tips aren’t expected at most business hotels, though €1–2 a night is appreciated on longer stays. More in our hotel tipping guide.
• Restroom attendants: many restaurant, club, and train-station restrooms have a plate by the door — leave €0.50–1.
• Hairdressers and barbers: round up, or about 5–10%.
• Food delivery: €1–3, either in cash at the door or in the app.

Tour Guides

“Free” walking tours in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are tip-based: guides earn only what guests give at the end. €10–15 per person is a common amount for a two- to three-hour tour. On a paid city or day tour, a tip is optional; €5–10 per person is generous for a good guide, and around 10% of the fee is a fair benchmark for a private guide.