Do you tip in Greece? Yes, a little — tipping is optional but welcomed: rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% in cash is the norm at restaurants and tavernas.
Greece tip calculator
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Tip is calculated on the bill before tax and any service charge.
Tipping rates in Greece
| Service | What to tip |
|---|---|
| Bars Round up or leave €1–2 per drink; bartenders don't usually expect a tip. At nightclubs or venues with table service, 5–10% is common (getgreece.com). |
€1–2 / round up |
| Hotels Modest and optional: porters €1–2 per bag, housekeeping €1–2 per night, concierge €5–10 for going above and beyond. At small family-run hotels you generally don't tip the owners (getgreece.com; santorinisecrets.com). |
€1–2 per bag / night |
| Restaurants Traditional norm is rounding up or a few euros in cash on the table; fine dining 5–10%. The kouver (€0.50–2) covers bread and water — it's a cover charge, not a tip. Sources conflict slightly: one 2026 local guide calls 10–15% 'standard' for good service (getgreece.com; santorinisecrets.com). |
5–10% (round up at tavernas) |
| Taxis No percentage expected — round up to the nearest euro; add €1–2 for airport runs or luggage help (getgreece.com; santorinisecrets.com). |
0% (round up) |
| Tour Guides Group tours €2–5 per person; private guides €5–10 per person per day per one 2026 local guide, up to €10–20 per longer experience per other sources. Free walking tours: €5–10 per person (santorinisecrets.com; getgreece.com). |
€2–10 per person |
Tipping at restaurants in the USA? Use the main tipping calculator.
Example
A €45 taverna bill on Santorini: rounding up to €50 (about 10%) is the classic Greek gesture — leave it in cash on the table, since the kouver cover charge on the bill isn't a tip. Total: €50.
Why tipping works this way in Greece
Tipping in Greece reflects filoxenia — the ancient concept of hospitality — and service workers earn wages rather than relying on tips, so a gratuity is a personal gift of appreciation, not an expected wage top-up (getgreece.com). Greeks themselves tip in small, practical ways — rounding up the bill rather than calculating percentages — so following that rhythm is the respectful move (getgreece.com; Rick Steves forum).
Tipping mistakes tourists make in Greece
- Treating the kouver as a tip — it's a €0.50–2 cover charge for bread and water, not a gratuity; a separate cash tip still applies for good service (santorinisecrets.com).
- Adding the tip to your card payment — Greek card machines rarely have a tip line and card tips often go to the business, not your server; cash handed directly is the reliable route (santorinisecrets.com; getgreece.com).
- Tipping 15–20% by default like in the US — Greeks round up or leave small change; at a taverna, €1–2 on the table is the classic gesture (getgreece.com).
- Having no small bills — carry €1 and €2 coins and small notes so you can leave cash tips on tables, taxi fares, and housekeeping conveniently (santorinisecrets.com; getgreece.com).
Greece tipping FAQs
Do you tip in Greece?
Tipping is not required or expected the way it is in the US, but it is very much welcomed — a small tip or rounding up the bill shows appreciation for good service (santorinisecrets.com; getgreece.com).
How much do you tip at a Greek restaurant?
Round up the bill or leave a few euros at casual tavernas; 5–10% at upscale restaurants. Many Greeks simply round up rather than calculate a percentage (getgreece.com).
Is the kouver (cover charge) a tip?
No — the kouver is a small per-person cover charge (usually €0.50–2) for bread and water; it doesn't go to your server, so a separate cash tip is still the gesture of thanks (santorinisecrets.com).
Should I tip in cash or by card in Greece?
Cash, always. Greek card machines rarely have a tip line, and tips added to a card payment often go to the business instead of the staff member (santorinisecrets.com; getgreece.com).
Do you tip taxi drivers in Greece?
No percentage tip — rounding up to the nearest euro is the norm; add €1–2 for airport transfers or help with luggage (getgreece.com; santorinisecrets.com).
How much do you tip a tour guide in Greece?
€2–5 per person for group tours and €5–10 per person for private or full-day guides; on a free walking tour, plan €5–10 per person since the guide relies on tips (santorinisecrets.com).
Sources
See all tipping guides for Europe
Tipping customs verified September 2026.
