← Part of the Greece money guide
Greecechecked Jul 2026Tipping in Greece
Greece has a modest tipping culture. Staff earn a wage, tips are appreciated rather than expected, and there is no US-style percentage. Here is what you actually owe, and when to check the bill first.
At a glance
Tipping
Modest, appreciated
Restaurants
Round up, or 5 to 10%
Check the bill
For a service charge
How
Cash, in euros
Greece has a modest tipping culture. Staff earn a wage, so tips are appreciated but not obligatory, and there is no US-style percentage. At a restaurant or taverna, rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% for good service is generous; at a cafe or for drinks, the small change is plenty. Some tourist-area places add a service charge, so check the bill before adding more. Leave tips in cash (euros), which reaches the staff directly.
How much to leave, by situation
At a restaurant or taverna, tipping is optional but appreciated: for good service, rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% is generous. At a cafe, bar or for drinks, leaving the small change or a coin or two is normal, and often nothing at all.
Elsewhere: round up a taxi fare, leave 1 to 2 euros per bag for a hotel porter, and a euro or two a day for housekeeping if you like. For a private guide or boat tour, a larger tip reflects a real service.
Check the bill for a service charge
Most places do not add a service charge, and the listed price is what you pay. But some tourist-area tavernas and restaurants, especially on the islands and in central Athens, add a service charge to the bill.
If a service charge appears, you do not need to tip on top, so read the bill before you add anything. A small extra for excellent service is still a kind gesture.
Leave it in cash
Leave any tip in cash, in euros, on the table or in the dish. Greek card machines often have no tip prompt, and cash reaches the staff directly. Keep a few euro coins and small notes for tips and cafe change. For the wider picture, see the Greece money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do you tip in Greece?
Modestly, if you want to. Staff earn a wage, so tips are appreciated but not obligatory. For good taverna service, round up or leave 5 to 10%. At a cafe, the small change is plenty.
Is a service charge added in Greece?
Usually not, but some tourist-area tavernas and restaurants, especially on the islands and in central Athens, add one. If a service charge is on the bill, you do not need to tip on top, so read the bill first.
How much should I tip at a Greek taverna?
Nothing is required. For good service, rounding up or 5 to 10% is generous. At a cafe or bar, the small change or a coin or two is normal, and often nothing at all.
Cash or card for tips in Greece?
Cash. Card terminals often have no tip line, so leave coins or small notes on the table, where they reach the staff directly.
More on Greece
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Do I need cash in Greece, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards work in the cities and big resorts, but carry euro cash for tavernas, kiosks and the smaller islands. Here is how to handle it.
- Taxis in Greece, and the Athens airport flat fareGreek taxis are cheap and useful, but a few meter games target visitors, especially at the port and on the islands. Here is which app to install, the airport fare fixed by law, and how to keep the meter honest.
- Bringing your dog or cat to Greece.Greece runs on the single EU pet-entry process for a US-origin dog or cat: microchip, rabies in the right order, and an EU health certificate on a 10-day clock. No quarantine, no rabies titer. Here is what that means for Greece, and the local parts worth knowing.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- US State DepartmentGreece country information
Our own readGreek tipping is cultural and modest, and the tourist-area service charge is real but not universal. Amounts here are our own read from recent traveler reports and local guidance, not a single official table. Checked July 2026.