Tipping in Italy
In Italy, tipping is expected for 1 of the 20 services we track. At a sit-down restaurant, round up or leave €1–2 per person; 5–10% at nicer restaurants. Tipping is unusual for 1 service.
Italians rarely tip heavily. A cover charge ("coperto") is common in restaurants. Small rounding-up tips are appreciated but not expected.
Tipping in Italy at a glance
- Sit-down restaurant
- Round up or leave €1–2 per person; 5–10% at nicer restaurants
- Taxi
- Round up the fare to the nearest €1–5
- Bar
- Round up to the nearest euro; €1 per cocktail at craft cocktail bars
- Housekeeping
- €1–2 per day, left in the room
- Concierge
- No tip for routine; €5–10 for moderate effort; €10–20 elaborate
- Tour guide
- €5–10 per person half-day; €10–20 per person full-day; €10+ for free tours
- Café
- €0.10–0.20 at the counter ("al banco"); €1 if seated with table service
- Tattoo artist
- Not customary; €10–20 or ~10% for exceptional work
Tipping by service in Italy
| Service | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | Appreciated | Round up or leave €1–2 per person; 5–10% at nicer restaurants |
| Counter / takeaway | Optional | Not expected; drop coins in the tip jar if you wish |
| Café | Optional | €0.10–0.20 at the counter ("al banco"); €1 if seated with table service |
| Bar | Optional | Round up to the nearest euro; €1 per cocktail at craft cocktail bars |
| Housekeeping | Appreciated | €1–2 per day, left in the room |
| Porter | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag, €2–3 minimum |
| Concierge | Appreciated | No tip for routine; €5–10 for moderate effort; €10–20 elaborate |
| Taxi | Optional | Round up the fare to the nearest €1–5 |
| Rideshare | Optional | Not expected; round up via app or €1 cash for luggage help |
| Food delivery | Appreciated | €1–3 for the rider; round up to nearest euro |
| Grocery delivery | Appreciated | €2–5 cash, more for large orders |
| Hairdresser | Optional | Not customary; €2–5 if you wish |
| Spa | Optional | Not customary; €5–10 or 5–10% if exceptional |
| Tour guide | Expected | €5–10 per person half-day; €10–20 per person full-day; €10+ for free tours |
| Tattoo artist | Optional | Not customary; €10–20 or ~10% for exceptional work |
| Valet | Appreciated | €2–5 per car retrieval at hotels and high-end restaurants |
| Airport baggage | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag for porters |
| Busker | Optional | €0.50–2 in the hat if you stopped to enjoy |
| Movers | Optional | Not customary; €10–20 per mover for a tough job |
| Tradesperson | Unusual | Not customary; quoted price is final |
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Tipping in Italy: common questions
Do you tip in Italy?
Yes, for some services. Of the 20 services we track in Italy, tipping is expected for 1 and appreciated for 8. Italians rarely tip heavily. A cover charge ("coperto") is common in restaurants. Small rounding-up tips are appreciated but not expected.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in Italy?
Round up or leave €1–2 per person; 5–10% at nicer restaurants. That works out to 0–10% of the bill. Italian tipping is light and discretionary.
How much do you tip a taxi driver in Italy?
Round up the fare to the nearest €1–5. That works out to 0–10% of the bill. Italian taxi drivers do not expect a tip; the metered fare already includes assumed service.
Do you tip hotel housekeeping in Italy?
€1–2 per day, left in the room. A small daily cash tip for housekeeping is appreciated but not expected.
Which services should you tip in Italy?
A tip is genuinely expected for 1 service: tour guide. For everything else it is optional or unusual.
Where is tipping not expected in Italy?
Tipping is unusual for 1 service: tradesperson. Leaving nothing is completely normal in these situations.
Should you tip in cash or by card in Italy?
Cash is preferred for 18 of the 20 services we track in Italy, because card tips do not always reach staff. Carrying small notes is worth it.