Tipping in France
In France, tipping is expected for 1 of the 20 services we track. At a sit-down restaurant, €0 required (service compris); €1–5 per person or 5–10% for good service. Tipping is unusual for 2 services.
Service is included by law in French restaurants ("service compris"). Small additional tips for exceptional service are welcomed but never required.
Tipping in France at a glance
- Sit-down restaurant
- €0 required (service compris); €1–5 per person or 5–10% for good service
- Taxi
- Round up to nearest euro, or up to 5%
- Bar
- Round up or leave 50¢–€1 per drink at the bar
- Housekeeping
- €2–5 per night, left in the room
- Concierge
- €5–20 for a real favour
- Tour guide
- €5–10 per person group; €20+ private; €5–10 per person for free walking tours
- Café
- Round up or leave 20–50 centimes per drink
- Tattoo artist
- €0 — not customary; 10–15% if you do tip
Tipping by service in France
| Service | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | Optional | €0 required (service compris); €1–5 per person or 5–10% for good service |
| Counter / takeaway | Unusual | €0 — not customary |
| Café | Appreciated | Round up or leave 20–50 centimes per drink |
| Bar | Optional | Round up or leave 50¢–€1 per drink at the bar |
| Housekeeping | Appreciated | €2–5 per night, left in the room |
| Porter | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag |
| Concierge | Appreciated | €5–20 for a real favour |
| Taxi | Optional | Round up to nearest euro, or up to 5% |
| Rideshare | Optional | Optional — €1–2 or round up via app |
| Food delivery | Appreciated | €1–2 in app or cash; more for difficult deliveries |
| Grocery delivery | Optional | €1–2 in cash; not expected |
| Hairdresser | Appreciated | €2–10, or roughly 5–10% for a longer service |
| Spa | Appreciated | 5–10% if not already added |
| Tour guide | Expected | €5–10 per person group; €20+ private; €5–10 per person for free walking tours |
| Tattoo artist | Optional | €0 — not customary; 10–15% if you do tip |
| Valet | Appreciated | €1–2 on return; €5+ at luxury hotels |
| Airport baggage | Appreciated | €1 per bag if you use a porter (rare) |
| Busker | Appreciated | €1–5 if you stopped to listen |
| Movers | Appreciated | €10–20 per mover, or €5 per hour each |
| Tradesperson | Unusual | €0 — not customary |
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Tipping in France: common questions
Do you tip in France?
Yes, for some services. Of the 20 services we track in France, tipping is expected for 1 and appreciated for 11. Service is included by law in French restaurants ("service compris"). Small additional tips for exceptional service are welcomed but never required.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in France?
€0 required (service compris); €1–5 per person or 5–10% for good service. That works out to 0–10% of the bill. French restaurants are legally required to include a ~15% service charge in menu prices — this is "service compris" and it pays the waiter's wage.
How much do you tip a taxi driver in France?
Round up to nearest euro, or up to 5%. That works out to 0–5% of the bill. Paris taxis do not expect a percentage tip.
Do you tip hotel housekeeping in France?
€2–5 per night, left in the room. Tipping housekeeping is appreciated at mid-range to luxury hotels in France — €2–5 per night, left visibly with a note (write "merci" or "pour le ménage") so it is clearly intended for the cleaner rather than forgotten cash.
Which services should you tip in France?
A tip is genuinely expected for 1 service: tour guide. For everything else it is optional or unusual.
Where is tipping not expected in France?
Tipping is unusual for 2 services: counter / takeaway and tradesperson. Leaving nothing is completely normal in these situations.
Should you tip in cash or by card in France?
Cash is preferred for 16 of the 20 services we track in France, because card tips do not always reach staff. Carrying small notes is worth it.