One of the most asked questions in traveller forums is: “How do I tip correctly in Germany?” And it is not just a phenomenon that affects travellers 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 traveller 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 the gastronomy it is done as a nice gesture by almost everybody. So who should you tip as a traveller 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 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.
Let me explain how tipping is done in Germany. Try to memorize the procedure so that you do not risk to experience a culture shock.
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 more or less 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.
After the employee 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. 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. Often you will be asked in German “Zusammen oder getrennt?” (lit.: alltogether or split?).
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.
First the waitress 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 gratutity” or “recommended gratutity” in Germany. So you only pay what you see.
Now things happen quickly: You must now calculate the desired tip in your head and add it to the total amount of the bill while the waitress waits next to you. You have read that correctly. The waitress 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.
After you know how much you want to pay including the tip, you tell the waitress the final amount. She 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 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 as impolite (unless you’re a backpacker or student on a budget, then a tip of 0,50 € 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 tip of 128,00 € 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
In public restrooms, but also partly in the restrooms of larger restaurants, theatres and similar facilities, cleaning staff can be found. Often these staff 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.
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 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 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. Example: Taxi ride for 23,80 €. Adding up to 25,00 € is good. Taxi ride from Munich International Airport to the city centre for 86,30 €. Adding up 90,00 € is good.
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
Conclusion
Even Germany has good social systems and waiting staff and other employess do not rely on tips, nearly every German tips the staff. Not everywhere and usually in a different way. But we all tip to show appreciation.