Tipping in France

At a glance

• Restaurants●○○OptionalRound up, or 5%
• Cafés●○○OptionalLeave the coins
• Bars●○○OptionalRound up
• Taxis●○○OptionalRound up
• Hotel porters●●○Common€1–2 per bag
• Housekeeping●○○Optional€1–2 per day
• Tour guides●●○Common€5–10 per person
• Private drivers●○○Optional€10–20 per day
• Boat & yacht charters●●○Common5–10% of the charter fee
• Ski instructors●○○Optional€20–50 at the end of the week

Card tipping. Card terminals in France almost never prompt for a tip. If you want to leave one, use cash.

• , Service compris means the service charge is built into the listed prices, not added at the end.
• , A pourboire, literally 'for a drink', is a small extra, not a calculated percentage.

Common questions

Do you tip in France?

Service is already included by law. Tipping is a bonus. French menus and bills are legally required to be service compris, service included. Staff are salaried and do not depend on tips. Leaving small change or a few euros after a good meal is a normal courtesy, but there is no percentage you are expected to hit.

How much do you tip at a restaurant in France?

Round up, or 5%. Nothing is required. Leave a few euros if you enjoyed it. Because service is included, leaving nothing is completely acceptable and common among locals. After a good meal many people leave loose change or round up; 5% at a nicer restaurant is generous. Leave it in cash on the table, adding it to the card payment is unusual.

Can you tip by card in France?

Card terminals in France almost never prompt for a tip. If you want to leave one, use cash.

Other destinations

• Austria
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Australia