A Few Tips About Tipping in Italy
One of the questions I get most commonly from tourists is about tipping while in Italy. Tipping here can feel confusing, especially if you're coming from a country like the United States, where tipping is practically a rule (if you are from the US and don’t know why we have tipping culture, google it- it’s important information). Searching for answers helps less than you’d hope, with contradictory information flooding the internet, some even saying that tipping could be considered rude. Guides, forums, and even some locals will tell you that "tipping isn’t necessary" in Italy — and technically, that’s true. But there’s more to the story, and understanding it can help you navigate Italian hospitality with both confidence and kindness. My goal for this blog post is to help you zoom out and see the whole picture, so that you can then decide the best course of action for you.
Let’s get this out of the way: Italy does not have a tipping culture in the same way the U.S. or Canada does. You won’t see smiling servers chasing you down for a 20% gratuity, and you won’t offend anyone by simply paying the bill as-is. Most restaurants include a “coperto” (cover charge) or “servizio” (service charge) directly on the bill — and that’s considered sufficient.
But I wouldn’t go as far as to say that tipping is bad and something that isn’t done.
Here’s the part that often gets left out of those “Do’s and Don’ts of Tipping in Europe” listicles: working in the service industry in Italy is often precarious and undervalued, more than is true in other places — especially for young people. While it’s illegal to pay under the table or give exploitative contracts, it still happens, often. In many cases, it’s not even entirely the fault of the business owner, who may be struggling to stay afloat in a system where the cost of legally hiring help is prohibitively high. Still, it’s not unusual for a young worker in a bar or trattoria to be paid a flat fee per day — sometimes shockingly low — and told to stay until the owner says it’s time to go home. No hourly wage, no guaranteed breaks, no protections, and here in the south, you’re looking at 30 - 50 euros for nine hours of work. Just like anywhere else, people choose to do the job not because it’s their calling, but because that’s what was available to them.
Consequently, Italy regularly receives poor feedback on their customer service, such as rude waiters, tour guides who are rushing, drivers who handle luggage roughly, and people who clearly aren’t motivated to go the extra mile. Whereas a waiter who knows that relationship building is the key to getting paid is certainly more incentivized to smile, in Italy finding the same charm is more rare and certainly more genuine. We all know that service work is backbreaking (and mind breaking!) work, so, while no one expects you to tip 20% in Italy, leaving something extra for great service is deeply appreciated and in my opinion well deserved. Even just a few coins or a euro or two can be a gesture of warmth and respect.
It’s not about obligation — it’s about recognition.
When I was a tour guide, I went above and beyond for my clients and I genuinely enjoyed doing it. For me, the greatest satisfaction is to watch my clients walk away having learned something, having had fun, satisfied with their experience. The work that I put in to achieve this, though, was not minimal, and definitely went beyond my job description. I memorized everyone’s name and where they were from, I made changes to the itinerary or the information that I gave based on my clients’ personal preferences, I made sure to spend one on one time with each of my clients at some point during the tour and included them wherever possible. To be clear, I did not do this in hopes of receiving a tip, but boy was I appreciative when it did happen because it meant that my work was seen and appreciated. When you reward someone who’s gone out of their way to serve you well, you’re not breaking some sacred Italian rule or imposing your culture. You’re showing that you see them, that you value their work, and that you're not taking their time and effort for granted.
The mentality of some angry people never ceases to amaze me. I’ve seen so much information online and otherwise, telling visitors to Italy NOT to tip their waiters, drivers, tour guides, parroted further still by tourism agencies! The worst part is the tone with which they say it, as if service workers were somehow trying to trick you out of your money, to scam you. Silly me, I thought the whole purpose of traveling was to experience something new, to get out of your comfort zone, and to grow into new levels of empathy. I’m not saying that to be an empathetic person, you have to leave a tip, but I am saying that when your first thought is grounded in suspicion, over three euros left on a table after someone sweatily put up with your vacationing self, I start to wonder … who hurt you? There’s no shame in being generous. And there’s no rule against gratitude.
So, should you tip in Italy? Well, I don’t know. I don’t know what you should do. But if someone gave you exceptional service — made your coffee with care, remembered your name, carried your suitcase up a flight of stairs without being asked — then yes, it’s absolutely okay to tip. You might just make someone’s difficult day a little brighter and while tipping may not be the pinnacle of Italian culture, community and working together definitely is. Have a great trip and remember to practice gratitude for everyone that makes that possible in whichever way you think is best for you!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is tipping rude in Italy? Tipping is NOT considered rude, although sometimes Italians won’t accept your tip when you offer. This isn’t because you’ve offended them in most cases, but rather that they pride themselves on treating you well genuinely. The only thing they want in return is that you speak well of them and perhaps return and use their service again. I try to respect their wishes if they don’t want my tip
Do I tip taxi drivers in Italy? Taxi drivers are not traditionally tipped in Italy. This is a really complex story, actually, but it used to be that taxi driver’s had a special license that was very expensive to obtain. It could even be passed down from father to son and it gave taxi driver’s special access to certain lanes and roadways. Taxis in Italy, consequently, are expensive and while some Italians might tip a business, they generally wouldn’t tip a taxi driver. As with anything, if you feel that your driver went out of their way for you or was a taxi driver and tour guide, by all means, leave a tip. Just know that you aren’t expected to.
Do Italians tip at restaurants? They do! Italians don’t always tip, but especially if your waiter is a young person and has shown good hospitality, it’s not unusual to slip a few euros into the waiter’s hand and quietly say, “this is for you.” Italians usually prefer to give the tip directly to the waiter, so that it stays with the waiter. Unfortunately, the rules are changing now and the state is demanding that taxes be paid on tips, as well as salaries.
Why don’t Italians tip? I always use the disclaimer that I don’t claim to know why people do anything. I do have a theory as to why Italians don’t commonly tip, though. One thing you should keep in mind about Italy, Southern Italy in particular, is that gift giving in general is considered a reciprocal action. That is, if I bring a gift to someone for no particular reason, I’ve put this person in a difficult situation, as they now feel obliged to give me something of equal value. Perhaps this is why tipping is not common. I’ve left two euros to street vendors before, telling them to buy themselves a coffee, and although they accept the tip, they add some extra goodies to my bag - exchange of equal value. Still, Italians appreciate community and, for example, in Naples, it’s not uncommon to tip young people working a few euros for their trouble, knowing well that these young people can stash it away for a rainy day. Try to keep in mind, also, that tourism world is different from everyday life in Italy and this means, sometimes, that the rules are a little different.
