Tipping in Greece: What to Leave, Where, and When

Tipping in Greece is a small, friendly habit. Greeks round up the bill or leave spare change when the service is good, and visitors who do the same fit right in. A few euro coins and a warm "efcharistó" (thank you) go a long way in many everyday situations. The details below go place by place, from the taverna table to the taxi and the tour bus.

Do you have to tip in Greece?

No. Hospitality workers in Greece earn a base salary and rely on tips far less than servers in the U.S. do, so a tip is a friendly thank-you. The Greek word, filodórima, literally means a "love-gift."

A tip rewards good service. Skipping a tip after poor or average service is not seen as offensive, and a sincere verbal thank-you is a kind touch whether or not you leave money. Places matter too: in tourist-heavy spots like central Athens and the busiest islands, a small tip is often appreciated, and the more tourists a place sees, the more a tip gets noticed. At a neighborhood kafeneio, where locals settle in over a single coffee, rounding up is plenty. Fast-food counters and small shops don't call for a tip at all.

How much should you tip at restaurants and tavernas?

At casual tavernas, round up or leave 5 to 10 percent. At mid-range restaurants, about 10 percent for good service is typical. At upscale restaurants, service may already be built into the bill, so ask if you're unsure. Asking won't offend anyone. If it isn't included, 10 to 15 percent marks a truly exceptional meal.

Check the bill before you tip. Many tavernas put a small per-person charge on the bill, labeled "couvert," "κουβέρ" or "cover," which pays for the bread, olives, oil and vinegar brought to your table. It goes to the restaurant, not your server, and it isn't optional unless you decline the bread and olives when they arrive. Any tip goes on top. Separate service charges usually aren't added to Greek bills. If you spot the phrase "οι τιμές περιλαμβάνουν φόρους και υπηρεσία," prices already include taxes and service, and anything you add is a pure bonus. Two more words worth recognizing on a receipt: "εξυπηρέτηση" means service and "φιλοδώρημα" means tip.

The easiest way to tip is to round the total up to a convenient number and tell your server to keep the change.

What about cafés and bars?

Cafés are low-key. With full table service, about 5 percent is appreciated, and rounding a small coffee bill up to the next euro does the job.

Many bars run a tab you settle before leaving. Adding about 10 percent to the total is a nice gesture, particularly in upscale bars with skilled cocktail makers. When you pay drink by drink, about a euro per drink is common. If you walk up and collect your drinks yourself, you can skip the tip.

Do you tip taxi drivers in Greece?

Not as a rule. Many locals round up the fare or add a euro or two for a good ride, and a longer trip or help with luggage might earn a bit more. On short rides where the meter doesn't reach the minimum fare, paying the minimum is enough.

Surcharges for luggage, extra passengers or late-night rides are part of the fare. Taxi fares in Athens can include extras, and these are listed on the rate table in the cab. Big-city drivers sometimes pick up a second passenger headed the same way, and if sharing the ride inconvenienced you, there's no need to tip. Some drivers, especially owner-drivers outside the big cities, may politely refuse a tip. Offer once more, and if they decline again, accept their choice graciously. Ride-hailing apps may prompt you for a tip, which is entirely optional.

How much should you tip hotel staff in Greece?

Hotel tips are a personal choice, even at the luxury hotels around Mykonos. Small gestures for good service go over well:

• Porters: a euro or two per bag, handed over when they deliver your luggage.
• Housekeeping: a small amount for each day of your stay, or a lump sum at the end of a multi-night stay, left on the nightstand or in an envelope.
• Concierge and reception: these are well-paid jobs, so a tip is mostly for real favors, like landing a hard-to-get dinner reservation.
• Room service: a tip isn't expected, though a euro or two is a nice extra.
• Gifts: if you leave something like a bottle of wine for housekeeping, add a note. Otherwise it goes to lost property.

At resorts, check whether a service or resort charge is already on the final bill. If it is, any extra tipping is up to you.

What do you tip tour guides in Greece?

Private tours call for bigger tips than group tours.

Athens has plenty of free and pay-what-you-feel tours, and their guides depend on tips from the group to make a living, so tip more generously there.

Who else should you tip in Greece?

• Spas and beauty salons: 10 to 15 percent for massages, facials and nails, and close to expected at high-end resort and hotel spas. Therapists at upscale spas may come from places with a stronger tipping culture, yet a tip in line with what local colleagues receive is a good guide.
• Hair salons and barbers: locals simply round up the total.
• Beach clubs: you don't need to tip for the sunbed itself, since you've paid for it. Add 5 to 10 percent on food and drink delivered to your lounger, and leave a few euros, or about 10 percent of a sizeable tab, for the server who looked after you all day. Towel and umbrella attendants appreciate a euro or two.
• Gas stations: attendants usually fill the tank and may clean the windshield, and a couple of euros in cash shows your appreciation.
• Valet parking: found mainly at high-end hotels and beach bars, where attendants work for tips. Tip each time they bring your car.
• Food delivery: a small tip for a small order, more when feeding a group.
• Attended restrooms: a coin in the bowl, about a euro, is plenty.

Is it OK to leave a tip on the table in Greece?

Leaving cash on the table used to be standard, but the U.S. State Department notes that petty crime is common in Greece's popular tourist spots, and pickpocketing and purse-snatching happen at busy sites and on public transportation, especially the metro. In big cities and resorts, hand the tip to your server, point it out on the table, or tell them to keep the change.

Should you tip in cash or by card in Greece?

Cash in euros is the easiest option for tipping. Cards are widely accepted, but card terminals at many cafés and tavernas don't offer a tip option, and a card tip may be pooled or delayed before it reaches your server. Upscale restaurants are the exception, where adding the tip by card is not unusual. Foreign coins are useless to most staff, so it is wise to tip in euros instead. Pick up some small euro bills and coins before you leave the airport so you're ready for your first taxi driver and hotel porter.