Tipping in Bulgaria
Tipping is appreciated in Bulgaria, but not obligatory.
Calculate your tip
Tipping quick reference
| Service | Recommended | Range | Payment | Service charge? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Around 10% is customary in restaurants; Bulgaria adopted the euro in January 2026 | 10% | 5–10% | Card or cash | No |
| Taxi Not expected; rounding up the fare is a common courtesy | 5% | 0–10% | Card or cash | No |
| Hotel housekeeping Not expected; a small note per night is a kind gesture | €1 per night | €0–€2 | Cash only | No |
| Hotel porter Not expected; a small tip per bag is appreciated | €1 per bag | €0–€2 | Cash only | No |
| Hairdresser Not expected; around 5% or rounding up for good service | 5% | 0–10% | Cash only | No |
| Tour guide Guides appreciate a per-person tip after a good tour | €3 per person | €1–€5 | Cash only | No |
| Spa & massage Not expected; around 5% for good service is appreciated | 5% | 0–10% | Cash only | No |
Tipping Culture in Bulgaria
Tipping in Bulgaria follows the familiar Eastern European pattern: around 10% at restaurants for good service, with waitstaff often relying on it to top up a modest base wage. It’s customary rather than mandatory — nobody will chase you for it — but leaving nothing after a good meal is unusual enough that servers will notice.
There’s a genuinely unusual twist right now, though: Bulgaria adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev at a fixed rate of 1 euro to 1.95583 leva. Prices are displayed in both currencies until August 2026 to help everyone adjust, so don’t be surprised to see a bill quoting both — tip on the euro figure, since that’s now the country’s actual currency.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bulgaria now uses the euro. As of January 2026, tip in euros — the lev is being phased out, though you may still see both currencies listed on menus and receipts through mid-2026.
- 10% is the standard restaurant benchmark. It’s less rigid than in the US, but it’s the figure locals actually use when tipping for good service.
- Cash is the more dependable way to tip. Card tipping exists in cities like Sofia, but handing cash to your server remains the surest way it reaches them directly.
- Taxis and cafés are low-pressure. Rounding up the fare or the bill is enough; nobody expects a calculated percentage outside restaurants.
Tipping FAQ for Bulgaria
What currency should I tip in now? Euros. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev at a fixed rate of €1 = 1.95583 BGN.
Is tipping expected in Bulgaria? It’s customary rather than obligatory — around 10% at restaurants for good service is the norm, and waitstaff often depend on tips to supplement a modest wage.
Do I need to tip taxi drivers? Not really. Rounding up the fare is a common, appreciated gesture rather than an expectation.
Should I tip in cash or by card? Cash is more reliable, especially outside major cities, though card tipping is becoming more common in Sofia.