Essential Rules for Tipping in Italy

If you are coming to Italy from a country, like the United States, you may be prepared to leave a lot of extra cash behind when tipping in Italy. But while tips are usually appreciated, leaving the standard 20% American tip anywhere is considered excessive.

Tipping anyone in the service industry is common practice in America. In Italy, the tax is built into the prices that you see advertised. If something costs 25 euro, then you will pay exactly 25 euro for it. The 22% VAT (tax in Italy) is already built into the price. For the most part, prices in Italy are straightforward. 

If you’re traveling to Italy, it’s important to be aware of the tipping customs. Most people will only tip if they have received exceptional service or they want to “round up” their bill. Here are some essential rules for tipping to keep in mind on your next trip to Italy:

Coperto

Oftentimes when you eat at a restaurant you’ll notice a cover charge included in your bill called a “coperto”. This coperto should be clearly stated somewhere on the menu and can range from 1-3 euro per person. A coperto is not a tip, it is a cover charge to offset the price of bread, oil, salt, and anything else you might be using. However, in the regions of Lombardia (Milan) and Lazio (Rome), there should not be a coperto charge.

Pane

In the United States, patrons eagerly wait for the free bread to reach their table. Keep in mind that bread is not free in Italy. If there is not a coperto, then you can expect to pay 1 to 1.50 euro per person for bread (pane in Italian). You have the option to send the bread back if you don’t want to pay this additional charge.

Servizio

Another charge you might notice is “servizio”. If servizio is included on your will it should be clearly stated on the menu and it should only be implemented if your party is 8 people or more. The servizio is considered a tip so you do not need to leave anything additional on top of this fee.

How You Tip Matters

While Italians in areas of high tourism have grown accustomed to Americans and their way of tipping, it is not proper etiquette to push a cash tip directly on your server at an Italian establishment. You should never force any money into the hand of your waiter. If you’d like to leave a small tip make sure it’s always in cash and that you leave it on your table inside the check presenter or under a glass or plate.

Use Your Best Judgment 

If there is no “coperto” and no “servizio” on your bill then the amount for an additional tip is up to you. Keep in mind a tip is much less than the 20% that has become standard in the United States. The unwritten rule in a typical restaurant would be to leave about 1 euro per person. Alternatively, you can round up the bill - for example, from 85 to 90 euro.

Tipping for Coffee

In general, tipping for coffee is not customary in Italy. If you receive fast service, you can put a small coin on top of your receipt when you bring it to the barista or if you see a tip jar, you can toss that coin in. This is another instance when you can round up your bill. For example, if your coffee was €0.90, you have the option to leave a 10-cent coin if you’d like.

Tipping for Taxis

While it might be commonplace to tip your cab driver in America, this is not practiced in Italy. When paying for a taxi, get your change and get out or you can round up 10 – 50 cents if that’s easier for you to make change. If you’re traveling with luggage from the airport or train station, it’s recommended to give an additional 1 euro per piece of luggage.

What About Everyone Else?

You might be wondering about tipping your tour guide or the porter who carried your bag up 4 flights of stairs. Tipping a few euros for great service is always appreciated and a hospitable gesture but again, you do not need to tip the American standard of 20%. An important note to remember - it’s not customary to tip the owner of a business, employees only.