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Francechecked Jul 2026Tipping in France
France is not a US-style tipping country. Service is included in the price by law, staff earn a full wage, and no one expects 15 to 20%. A small pourboire for good service is a kindness, not an obligation. Here is what you actually owe.
At a glance
Tipping
Light, service included
Service compris
Already in the price, by law
If you tip
Round up, or up to 5%
How
Cash, no card tip line
France has a light tipping culture because service is included by law (service compris): the listed price already covers service, and staff earn a full minimum wage. So there is no expected percentage and no line to add. For genuinely good service, a small pourboire is a kind gesture: round up or leave a euro or two at a cafe, and up to roughly 5% at a nicer restaurant. Leave it in cash, since card terminals rarely have a tip line. Do not feel pressured to tip the way you would at home.
Service compris: why the tip is already in the price
Since a 1987 law, French menus and bills are service compris: the price you see already includes service, and you may see the words printed on the menu or receipt. Waiters earn a full salary (the French minimum wage, the SMIC), so they do not depend on tips the way US servers do.
That means there is no service charge to add and no expected percentage. A tip in France, the pourboire, is a genuine extra for service you liked, not part of the bill.
When and how much to leave
For everyday meals, rounding up or leaving the small change is plenty. At a cafe or bar, leaving a euro or two, or the coins from your change, is a normal kindness. At a nicer restaurant where service was excellent, up to roughly 5% is generous, well below the US 15 to 20%.
Elsewhere: round up a taxi fare, leave 1 to 2 euros per bag for a hotel porter, and 1 to 2 euros a day for housekeeping if you like. For a private guide or a long tour, a larger tip reflects a real service.
Leave it in cash
Leave any pourboire in cash. French card machines usually have no tip prompt, so a card tip is awkward or impossible, and cash reaches the staff directly. Keep a few euro coins and small notes for this and for cafe change.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do you tip in France?
Only lightly, and only if you want to. Service is included in the price by law (service compris) and staff earn a full wage, so there is no obligation and no expected percentage. For good service, round up or leave a euro or two, up to about 5% at a nicer restaurant.
What does service compris mean?
It means service is included in the listed price. Since a 1987 law, French menus and bills already cover service, and waiters earn a full salary. You do not add a service charge, and any tip is a genuine extra, not part of the bill.
How much should I tip in a French restaurant?
Nothing is required. For excellent service, up to roughly 5% at a nicer restaurant is generous, or simply round up. At a cafe, leaving a euro or two or the small change is normal. Do not feel pressured to tip 15 to 20% the way you would at home.
Should I tip in cash or on the card in France?
Cash. French card terminals rarely have a tip line, so a card tip is usually not possible, and cash goes straight to the staff. Keep a few euro coins and small notes handy.
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Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- US State DepartmentFrance country information
Our own readFrench tipping is cultural, and service compris is a longstanding legal rule, not a recent change. The amounts here are our own read from recent traveler reports and local guidance, not a single official table. Checked July 2026.