Tipping Culture in Germany: A Polite Gesture, Not an Obligation

In Germany, tipping (or "Trinkgeld") is customary but not as obligatory as in the United States. A 10% tip is generally considered appropriate in restaurants if the service was good, while a 5% tip may be enough for smaller bills or more casual places. Unlike in the U.S., servers receive a proper base salary, so tipping is seen more as a way to show appreciation rather than a necessity.When paying in restaurants, it is common to round up the bill instead of leaving cash on the table. For example, if the bill is €18.50, you might hand over €20 and say, "Stimmt so", meaning "Keep the change". For excellent service, you can round up even more.In cafés, rounding up by €0.50 to €1 is polite, while taxi drivers appreciate a 5–10% tip. Hotel staff, such as housekeeping and bellboys, are usually tipped around €1–€3 per service. Hairdressers and spa workers generally receive €2–€5, depending on the total bill.While tipping is not as extreme as in some other countries, it is still considered a sign of politeness and gratitude in Germany.