Do you tip in France? Not really — service is included by law, so anything extra is a bonus.
France tip calculator
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Tip is calculated on the bill before tax and any service charge.
Tipping rates in France
| Service | What to tip |
|---|---|
| Cafés & bars Round a €4.50 coffee up to €5. That's plenty. |
Round up |
| Hotels €1–2 per bag for porters and €1–2 per day for housekeeping, if you feel the service merits it. |
€1–2 |
| Restaurants By law, a 15% service charge is built into menu prices ('service compris'). Rounding up or leaving a few euros for great service is appreciated, never required. |
0% (service compris) |
| Taxis France's official tourism site says 10–15% of the metered fare; rounding up is the minimum most locals do. |
10–15% |
| Tour guides 5–10% for private guides; for group tours a few euros per person is a nice gesture. |
5–10% |
Tipping at restaurants in the USA? Use the main tipping calculator.
Example
On an €85 dinner in Paris, service is already included — you pay €85. For exceptional service, leave €5 in cash. Total: €85–90.
Why tipping works this way in France
French law requires 'service compris': a 15% service charge is folded into every menu price, and servers earn a full wage. Tipping was never meant to subsidize pay the way it does in the US, so the French tip only to reward standout service.
Tipping mistakes tourists make in France
- Adding an American-style 20% on top of the bill — the service charge is already in the price.
- Feeling guilty about not tipping — in France, not tipping is normal, not rude.
- Assuming tips must be cash-only — many card terminals in France now offer a tip button, and the money reaches your server (tips are exempt from income tax and social charges for staff, per the French government's exemption extended through 2028); just declare the tip before they run the card.
France tipping FAQs
Do you tip in France?
Generally no. Service is included in prices by law, so tipping is optional. Rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros for great service is appreciated but never expected.
What does service compris mean?
It means 'service included' — French law requires restaurants to fold a 15% service charge into menu prices. When you see it on a menu or receipt, the tip is already covered.
Do you tip in Paris restaurants?
No obligation. Service compris applies in Paris too. Locals typically round up or leave €2–5 in cash for very good service.
How much should you tip a taxi driver in France?
Tip 10–15% of the metered fare — that's the figure on France's official tourism site (france.fr). Rounding up to the next euro is the minimum most locals do.
Do you tip hotel staff in France?
Small tips are customary: about €1.50 per bag for porters and €1.50 per day for housekeeping, per France's official tourism site. Leave the housekeeping tip daily in the room.
Do you tip at cafés and bars in France?
No tip is required — service is included by law. The local custom is to leave the small change from your bill when paying cash, or round a €4.50 coffee up to €5.
Sources
See all tipping guides for Europe
Tipping customs verified September 2026.
