Short answer: Appreciated, not expected. Tipping in the Netherlands is optional and staff do not rely on tips, but around 5 to 10% is a normal thank you for good restaurant service. Many places are card only, and card machines often offer a tip option.
Is service included?
Service charges are rarely added to the bill. Some restaurants include one, so check before adding a tip.
How much to tip in the Netherlands
| Who | Usual tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (sit-down) | 5 to 10% | About 10% is quite acceptable; round up a little for average service. |
| Cafes and bars | Round up | Round up or leave change in the jar. About 10% at cocktail bars. |
| Taxis and rideshare | Round up | Round up on short rides, about 10% on long trips. Uber lets you tip in the app. |
| Hotel housekeeping | Optional | Not required; a small tip for helpful staff is appreciated. |
| Hotel porters | A few euros | A few euros for carrying bags. |
| Tour guides | Optional | Tip what the tour was worth. Free walking tours rely on tips. |
| Hairdressers and spas | Optional | Not usual. A few euros if you are pleased. |
| Food delivery | Optional | Not required. Add it in the app or give cash to the rider. |
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
Many smaller venues are card only ("pin only"). Tell the server the total you want to pay including the tip, or pick an amount on the card machine, which often offers 5, 10 or 15% or a custom amount. Card tips are shared out by the owner. Cash also works where accepted.
What to avoid
Do not feel you must tip for poor service, but leaving nothing at all after a good meal can seem a bit rude.
Tipping by card
Debit cards and contactless are widely used. Some terminals show a tip prompt, and in other places you simply tell staff the amount to add before you tap.
Useful phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Laat maar zitten | Keep the change |
| Maak er maar twintig euro van | Make it twenty euros (including the tip) |
| Dit is voor u | This is for you |
Tips and the law in the Netherlands
Who keeps the tips
No tipping statute was found. The Belastingdienst knowledge group states that tips belong to the employees, and under article 7:631(2) of the Civil Code (BW) the employer may not control how tips are spent or keep them. Tips received from customers are treated as third-party wages (loon van derden).
Are tips taxed?
Employees must declare the actual tips received in their income tax return, less any amount already included in their annual wage statement (jaaropgaaf). The employer need not withhold wage tax on tips if it pays the full collective-agreement wage and does not count tips in that wage. Under article 3.6 of the URLB 2011, hospitality employers must withhold on the shortfall if staff are paid less than the legally due wage. No VAT is due on tips received by staff.
Tips and the minimum wage
Tips count towards minimum wage only if the employer and employee have agreed so, according to Rijksoverheid.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Work out a tip
The tip calculator is set to the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands can read how QR code tipping works in the Netherlands.
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
- ATMs, tipping, and credit cards: cash and payments in the Netherlands (Holland.com, official tourism site)
- What you need to know about tipping in the Netherlands (IamExpat)
- Tipping in Europe (Rick Steves)
- KG:204:2025:7 Inhoudingsplicht voor fooien
- Fooien en extra vergoedingen
- Opbouw minimumloon
Checked in October 2026 against the sources above. Customs change and vary between cities and venues.
Common questions
Is tipping expected in the Netherlands?
Appreciated, not expected. Tipping in the Netherlands is optional and staff do not rely on tips, but around 5 to 10% is a normal thank you for good restaurant service. Many places are card only, and card machines often offer a tip option.
How much should you tip at a restaurant in the Netherlands?
5 to 10%. About 10% is quite acceptable; round up a little for average service.
Is a service charge added to the bill in the Netherlands?
Service charges are rarely added to the bill. Some restaurants include one, so check before adding a tip.
Do you tip taxi drivers in the Netherlands?
Round up.
How much do you tip hotel housekeeping in the Netherlands?
Optional.
Are tips taxed in the Netherlands?
Employees must declare the actual tips received in their income tax return, less any amount already included in their annual wage statement (jaaropgaaf). The employer need not withhold wage tax on tips if it pays the full collective-agreement wage and does not count tips in that wage. Under article 3.6 of the URLB 2011, hospitality employers must withhold on the shortfall if staff are paid less than the legally due wage. No VAT is due on tips received by staff.
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