Tipping in Greece
Tipping is appreciated in Greece, but not obligatory.
Calculate your tip
Tipping quick reference
| Service | Recommended | Range | Payment | Service charge? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant No service charge as such; 5–10% or rounding up is customary. Cover charges pay for bread, not staff | 5% | 5–10% | Card or cash | No |
| Taxi Taxi drivers don't expect a tip; rounding up is fine | 0% | 0–5% | 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 Greece
Tipping in Greece is welcomed, not required — 5–10% at a restaurant for good service is the accepted range, with rounding up being just as common and just as appreciated. There’s no formal service charge added to Greek restaurant bills the way there is in some other countries; what you might see instead is a small cover charge for bread, which — much like Argentina’s “cubierto” — pays for the table setting, not the server, so it’s not a substitute for a tip.
Where you are in Greece changes the picture more than almost any other factor. In Athens and on tourist-heavy islands like Santorini and Mykonos, service industry staff are used to international visitors and tipping expectations run a little higher and more consistently. In smaller villages and rural tavernas, tipping can genuinely catch people off guard — a small family-run place may seem surprised by a tip, or gently decline it at first, in a spirit closer to hospitality than transaction. That instinct traces back to philoxenia, the deep-rooted Greek value of welcoming guests generously, which predates modern tipping culture by centuries and still shapes how service feels even where a tip isn’t formally expected.
Taxi drivers are the clearest “don’t worry about it” case in Greece — rounding up the metered fare is plenty, and nobody expects more.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A bread or cover charge isn’t a tip. Like Argentina’s cubierto, it covers the table setting, not the server — a genuine tip is still yours to decide.
- Islands and Athens expect a bit more than rural villages. Santorini and Mykonos see more international tipping habits than a small taverna off the tourist track.
- In villages, a tip may be gently declined at first. It’s rooted in philoxenia — genuine hospitality — rather than any rule about money; a respectful, gentle insistence is usually enough.
- Taxis are low-pressure. Rounding up the metered fare is the norm — no percentage to calculate.
Tipping FAQ for Greece
Is tipping expected in Greece? No, but it’s genuinely appreciated — 5–10% at restaurants for good service, or simply rounding up, is the accepted norm.
Is the bread charge on my bill a tip? No — like Argentina’s cubierto, it covers the cost of bread and table setting, not the staff. A separate tip is still up to you.
Do tipping norms differ between Greek islands and the mainland? Yes — tourist islands like Santorini and Mykonos see higher, more consistent tipping than rural villages, where it’s a newer and less expected custom.
What should I tip a taxi driver in Greece? Rounding up the metered fare is standard — a specific percentage isn’t expected.