Short answer: create a tip page in an app such as TipIns, add your IBAN, then print or show your QR code. Customers scan it with their phone camera and tip in euros by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, with no app on their side.
In Germany a tip is called Trinkgeld. In restaurants and cafes the custom is to round up or add 5 to 10%, saying the total you want to pay as you hand over the money, or "Stimmt so" to mean keep the change. Germany held on to cash longer than its neighbours, but card and phone payments have grown quickly since 2020, and card terminals do not always offer a tip step.
What people tip in Germany
| Who | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants and cafes | 5 to 10%, or round up |
| Bars | Round up per round |
| Taxis | Round up, or about 10% |
| Hairdressers | A few euros |
| Hotel housekeeping | €1 to €2 per night |
How QR code tipping works
- You show or print your QR code.
- The customer points their phone camera at it. A secure web page opens. They need no app and no account.
- They choose an amount in euros and pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card.
- The tip appears in your balance straight away and is paid to your bank account.
Setting up in Germany
- Create your account. Download TipIns and choose a username. You are asked for your legal name, date of birth and address, because payments are processed by Stripe and anyone receiving card payments must be identified.
- Add your bank account. Enter your IBAN. Tips are paid out in euros.
- Print your code. Export a design in business card, A5, A4 or A3 size, or show the code on your phone.
What it costs in Germany
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Download and monthly fee | Free |
| Platform fee | 10% of each tip |
| Card processing | 1.5% plus €0.25 per tip for domestic cards. Cards issued abroad can cost more. |
| Who pays the fees | By default the customer covers them on top of the tip, so you receive the full amount. If they opt out, the fees come out of the tip. |
| Weekly payout to your bank | Free, once your balance reaches the minimum |
| Instant payout | 2% plus €0.25 |
Compared with what people use now
The spoken round-up does not work when the customer taps a phone on a terminal that has already been keyed with the exact amount. A QR code on the table or the bill folder gives the Trinkgeld a place to go.
Tips for a whole team
If tips are shared, create a group. The venue shows one QR code and each tip is divided between members, equally or by percentages the owner sets. With active shifts switched on, a tip is shared only between the people working when it arrives. Each person is paid to their own bank account, and every member can see how each tip was split. The methods are compared in how to split tips between employees fairly.
Tax and the law in Germany
Tips that a customer gives voluntarily to an employee, on top of the price, are free of income tax under section 3 no. 51 of the Income Tax Act (EStG). The exemption does not apply to self-employed people, for whom tips are business income. If you are unsure which applies to you, ask a tax adviser.
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Check with your local tax office (Finanzamt) or a qualified adviser about your own situation.
Common questions
Is tipping expected in Germany?
In Germany a tip is called Trinkgeld. In restaurants and cafes the custom is to round up or add 5 to 10%, saying the total you want to pay as you hand over the money, or "Stimmt so" to mean keep the change.
How much does QR code tipping cost in Germany?
TipIns has no monthly fee. Each tip carries a 10% platform fee plus card processing of 1.5% plus €0.25 for domestic cards. By default the customer covers these, so you receive the full tip.
What bank details do I need in Germany?
You need your IBAN. Tips are paid out in euros.
Are tips taxable in Germany?
Tips that a customer gives voluntarily to an employee, on top of the price, are free of income tax under section 3 no. 51 of the Income Tax Act (EStG). The exemption does not apply to self-employed people, for whom tips are business income. If you are unsure which applies to you, ask a tax adviser.
Do customers need an app to tip by QR code?
No. They scan the code with their phone camera and pay on a secure web page with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card.