Julie F. Says:
I’m planning to visit the Amalfi Coast in the spring. I’ve heard that you don’t need to tip in Italy. Is this true?
IL Contributor Valerie Fortney-Schneider Writes:
It’s no longer customary to tip when you eat out, and many restaurants now already include a service charge as well as the coperto or cover charge. The cover charge, generally a euro or two, relates to bread on the table, and sometimes a dish of nibbles, such as olives.
If no service charge is included, generally a tip of a couple of euro will suffice if you’re very satisfied with the waiter.
In cafés and bars, the going rate is €1 to €2 if you are sitting at a table (and if the bill doesn’t already include a service charge). When standing at a counter or bar, you can leave small change if you want—maybe a 10- or 20-cent (euro) coin.
Hotel bills will already have a service charge included. When all-inclusive prices are quoted, the service charge is already included.
It’s customary to leave an additional tip, even when the service charge is already included, for stays of more than five days.
For more information about visiting Italy, check out International Living’s complete destination guide.
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