Short answer: Appreciated, not expected. Tipping is customary in Austria though not obligatory. Around 10% is usual in restaurants and coffee houses, about 5% on very large bills. You include the tip in the amount you tell the server when paying.
Is service included?
Service is normally included in prices and a separate service charge is not usually added. If the bill shows the tip is already included, do not pay it again.
How much to tip in Austria
| Who | Usual tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (sit-down) | About 10% | About 5% on very large bills. Some locals give more for great food and service. |
| Cafes and bars | Round up | Coffee houses follow the 10% guide, but most people round up, for example €3.70 to €4. |
| Taxis and rideshare | Round up to 10% | Customary but at your discretion. |
| Hotel housekeeping | €1 to 2 per night | Optional. |
| Hotel porters | €1 to 2 per bag | About €1 per bag is common. |
| Tour guides | €2 to 5 per person | For a group walking tour. |
| Hairdressers and spas | About 10% | Hairdressers are commonly tipped 5 to 10%. |
| Food delivery | Optional | Small tip or round up if you like; no firm custom. |
Amounts are in the local currency (EUR). They are common customs, not rules: tip more for great service and less where it was poor.
How to tip
Say the total you want to pay as you hand over the money, for example "Dreizehn, bitte" on a €12.50 bill, or "Stimmt so" to keep the change. Tips can also be added when paying by card, and card machines increasingly prompt for one.
What to avoid
Do not leave the tip on the table after paying; include it in the amount you tell the server.
Tipping by card
Card terminals do not usually have a tip step. Tell the server the amount to charge before you tap, and the tip is split among staff as each business sets it. Staff can also be given cash in addition to a card payment.
Useful phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Passt so | Keep the change |
| Stimmt so | That is correct as it is (keep the change) |
| Machen Sie bitte fünfzig daraus | Make it fifty, please (including the tip) |
| Das ist für Sie | This is for you |
Tips and the law in Austria
Who keeps the tips
Tips are third-party income given to staff. From 1 January 2026 the ÖGK sets nationwide flat rates for social insurance on tips in hospitality, hairdressing, foot care, cosmetics, massage and passenger transport. The same reform gave employees who receive tips through card payments or tip pools information rights, which cannot be waived or limited by employment contracts or collective agreements. Service charges and Bedienzuschläge are not tips and remain subject to social insurance and income tax.
Are tips taxed?
Tips are exempt from income tax under § 3 Abs. 1 Z 16a EStG, if given voluntarily by a third party, without legal entitlement, in addition to the wage, and in the customary local amount. Tips pooled in a tronc system with a fixed distribution key and card tips passed on by the employer are also exempt (guidance in the Lohnsteuerrichtlinien Rz 92a to 92i, with a BMF clarification of 29 July 2025). In social insurance, tips are third-party pay and contribution-liable under §§ 44 and 49 ASVG, usually on a monthly flat rate. For hotels and restaurants the flat rate is €65 (with cash handling), €45 (without) and €20 (apprentices) in 2026, rising to €100, €50 and €25 by 2028.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Work out a tip
The tip calculator is set to Austria and the local currency: enter the bill, pick a percentage and split it between the table.
Tipping with no cash
When you have no local cash, ask whether a tip can go on the card. More and more guides, drivers and performers show a QR code instead: point your phone camera at it and you can tip by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay without installing anything. Workers in Austria can read how QR code tipping works in Austria.
Street performers
Tipping a busker is always optional. If you enjoy the show, a coin or a note in the case is the custom, and more performers now show a QR code so you can tip by card. Rules for buskers by city:
Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions (vienna.info, official Vienna tourism)
- Money needs (vienna.info, official Vienna tourism)
- When and how much should you tip in Austria? (The Local)
- Tipping in Europe (Rick Steves)
- Neue Trinkgeldpauschalen
Checked in October 2026 against the sources above. Customs change and vary between cities and venues.
Common questions
Is tipping expected in Austria?
Appreciated, not expected. Tipping is customary in Austria though not obligatory. Around 10% is usual in restaurants and coffee houses, about 5% on very large bills. You include the tip in the amount you tell the server when paying.
How much should you tip at a restaurant in Austria?
About 10%. About 5% on very large bills. Some locals give more for great food and service.
Is a service charge added to the bill in Austria?
Service is normally included in prices and a separate service charge is not usually added. If the bill shows the tip is already included, do not pay it again.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Austria?
Round up to 10%.
How much do you tip hotel housekeeping in Austria?
€1 to 2 per night.
Are tips taxed in Austria?
Tips are exempt from income tax under § 3 Abs. 1 Z 16a EStG, if given voluntarily by a third party, without legal entitlement, in addition to the wage, and in the customary local amount. Tips pooled in a tronc system with a fixed distribution key and card tips passed on by the employer are also exempt (guidance in the Lohnsteuerrichtlinien Rz 92a to 92i, with a BMF clarification of 29 July 2025). In social insurance, tips are third-party pay and contribution-liable under §§ 44 and 49 ASVG, usually on a monthly flat rate. For hotels and restaurants the flat rate is €65 (with cash handling), €45 (without) and €20 (apprentices) in 2026, rising to €100, €50 and €25 by 2028.
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