Tipping in Greece is not obligatory but is generally seen as a polite way to show people appreciation for good or exceptional service. Unlike some other countries, the tipping culture in Greece is much more relaxed: quite often a simple percentage total of the check, or even rounding up to the nearest euro will suffice to show your gratitude.
In contrast to countries such as the United States, those working in the service industry in Greece tend not rely on tips as part of their income—with a few exceptions—so anything offered will be seen as a welcome bonus and gratefully accepted.
Of course, there are subtle nuances depending on the unique circumstances of the industry and the place you are visiting. Whether you’re visiting an archaeological site such as the Acropolis, adding service in a high-end restaurant, or wanting to offer something to a tour guide, here’s all you need to know about tipping in Greece.
Etiquette of Tipping in Greece
Old Town Rhodes
While electronic payments via debit and credit cards are now widely accepted throughout Greece, hard cash is still very much king here so make sure to carry some small coins and bills so you can leave tips in euros.
If you don’t have local currency to hand, feel free to leave bills from other strong currencies such as the U.S. dollar and British pound. Do, however, remember that these will then have to be exchanged which may alter the amount received depending on current rates and commissions. Factor this in when mentally calculating the amount to leave and perhaps round up in favor of the person you are tipping.
Never use foreign coins to tip—they would be useless to most staff and could even be perceived as a slight for the service offered.
Santorini
Generally, a gratuity of around 5-10% of the bill is common in most situations, although expectations in the more touristy areas of Athens and the most popular islands may be a little higher due to the influence of foreign visitors. Even so, anything above 10% would be considered especially generous and such amounts should be reserved for truly exceptional service.
Always bear in mind that choosing not to tip is not considered offensive, especially if the service was poor or average—so do use your own discretion. Tipping in Greece is meant to reward excellent service, not something you must do regardless of the experience.
Read: Expert Tips for Planning a Trip to Greece
Hotel Stays
Hotel in Rhodes
Tipping in Greek hotels is far from compulsory but small gratuities for good service are welcome. For porters or bellhops who assist with luggage, a typical tip would be €1-2 per bag. Hand this directly to the porter when they deliver your bags.
When it comes to housekeeping, it’s considered polite to leave a small amount per day, so the gratuity increases the longer you stay. Other people may choose to leave a lump sum of €5-€10 for a multi-night stay. Either approach is fine. Simply leave your chosen amount on the nightstand or in an envelope.
If you leave anything else in the room for housekeeping, such as a gifted bottle of wine that will not fit in your case, accompany it with a note. Otherwise, it will be placed in the hotel’s lost property room and staff will not see the benefit. Tipping delivery of room service is not required or expected, but again, €1-€2 is a nice extra.
Reception and concierge positions are considered prestigious jobs in Greece and are handsomely rewarded by industry standards. As such, tipping is not obligated or expected, but if someone has been particularly helpful, say securing hard-to-get reservations or helping plan an itinerary, consider leaving them something. Around €5-€10 would be considered appropriate. In higher end resort hotels, it is worth checking with the hotel to see if there is a general service or resort charge included. If there is, additional tipping is entirely optional.
Restaurants & Cafés
Taverna in Mykonos
When it comes to tipping in Greek restaurants and cafés, how much you decide to leave will depend very much on the type of restaurant you are in. The Greek food scene has improved massively over the years, and there’s an increasing number of high-end restaurants in Athens and on islands such as Santorini.
In such establishments, service may be included on the check, so make sure to clarify the situation before leaving something. Service-included prices in high-end restaurants can exceed the usual 10%, and putting the gratuity through on a credit or debit card is not unusual.
Restaurant in Corfu
In more regular Greek restaurants and tavernas, tipping is customary but more modest. Locals will typically add 5-10% of the bill, or simply round up the amount to a convenient number. For example, a €27 meal could be rounded up to €30, simply by telling the server to keep the change.
When it comes to cafés and more casual eateries, tipping is low-key. If ordering a coffee or a snack at the bar, no tip is needed, although there may be a glass by the till. Leave a few cents or a euro coin if the barista or waiter has given good service. When sitting down with full service, leaving a small tip of, say, 5% is appreciated.
In the past, leaving a cash tip on the table was standard. In big Greek cities and resorts where petty crime may be an issue, it may be wiser to point out the tip on the table to a server, hand it to them directly, or tell them to keep the change.
Santorini
Many Greek bars tend to keep a running tab to be paid before leaving. A 10% tip on top of the total is a good idea, especially in higher end bars that employ mixologists for fancy cocktails. When paying on a drink-by-drink basis, €1 per drink is a suggested amount.
Taxis & Rideshares
Taxis in Greece
When riding a cab in Greece, tipping is not obligatory, although locals will usually round up the fare to the nearest number or leave €1-€2 for good service. Cabs will have a minimum fare and for short rides where the clock doesn’t meet the threshold, the difference between the clock and the minimum will suffice.
Taxi fares tend to have some additions to them–and drivers in Athens at least are obligated to display a table of charges. Meters in cabs between midnight and 5am, for instance, usually tick over at a faster rate for a late-night surcharge. Likewise, there may be a small fee per piece of luggage carried, and there can be an extra charge the more people riding. These should all be detailed on the rate table and are considered part of the fare, not a tip.
Taxi drivers in big cities will often double up fares. That is, you can be riding along and the driver will pick up another passenger headed in the same direction. This is now fairly expected and a good solution given the high demand for cabs, but don’t expect the fare to be halved in return. If you feel inconvenienced by sharing your ride, there’s no need to tip, as the driver is already making a double fare for the one journey.
International and local ride-sharing apps are now popular in Greece. Payment for these is done via the app and you may be prompted to add a tip. This is again optional.
Tour Guides & Excursions
Santorini
Tour guides and excursions is one of the few sectors where tipping in Greece is expected, although a tip should still only be used as a thank you if you enjoyed the tour.
For paid guided tours, say a tour of historic sites, a good baseline is around 10% of the tour cost. For guides with exceptional knowledge or who have gone over and above, you could increase this up to around 15%.
Free and pay-what-you-feel tours are common in Athens, and this is one of the few areas of the Greek visitor economy where guides are reliant on the generosity of guests to make a living. As such, it’s customary to leave a larger tip, depending on the number of people on the tour. In most cases, somewhere between €5 and €20 per person would be appropriate.
On tours where there is both a guide and a driver, etiquette says you should tip both. To avoid confusion, tip them separately, with a larger sum for the guide.
Salons & Spas
Spa in Greece
Tipping in salons and barber shops in Greece is not as expected as it is in the hospitality industry, although it is becoming all the more common in major tourist areas. Locals would usually round up the total, say giving €20 euros for a haircut that costs €18.
In beauty salons and spas, especially high-end ones in resort complexes or hotels, tipping salon staff is more or less expected. For beauty treatments such as facials and nails, as well as massage treatments, opt for somewhere between 10-15% of the treatment total. It’s worth noting that in higher end establishments, therapists may be from countries with a stronger tipping culture, but stick to what you would normally tip one of their local colleagues.
Other Services
Athens
For all other visitor services you may use as a tourist in Greece, tipping should be on a case-by-case basis.
Valet parking is not common in Greece outside of some high-end hotels and beach bars. In such cases, the attendant will be working for tips and between €5 and €10 is the suggested amount. Where parking is charged, there is no requirement to tip attendants–although if they hold a space for you or help direct you into a spot, a couple of euros is considered a polite gesture.
In Athens and Thessaloniki, food delivery has reached New York levels of availability and cuisine types. Ordering into a hotel room can be a convenient option for late arrivals into town, or after a long-day of sightseeing. Tip delivery drivers €1-€2 for smaller orders, and up to €10 if three or four people are eating.
Gas stations in Greece tend to be full service. Attendants will fill the tank, may wash windscreens, and even check oil levels. A couple of euros shows appreciation of their efforts. Again, even if paying by card, cash is the welcome option.
Attended toilets will usually have a small bowl or plate. In such places, leaving a euro per visit is more than enough.
Recognizing Service Charges
Restaurant in Katakolon
Service charges in restaurants tend to not be added to the bill, though cover charges are. You may see the latter added to a bill in English or couvert, the French version, or the French word assimilated into Greek, κουβέρ. This is a basic, small per-person fee that is charged for the table setting, plus amenities such as bread, olives, oil, and vinegar. It is a fee paid to the restaurant and not to the server, so it is not optional unless you decline the offering at the start. Server tips should be over and above this.
Given Greek uses its own alphabet, recognizing some of the word shapes that may be seen on bills can be helpful. The Greek word for service is “εξυπηρέτηση” and for tip “φιλοδώρημα”.
Santorini
Greece is still recovering from the financial crisis of the early 2010s and successive governments have come down hard on tax evasion. All financial transactions now must be accompanied by an authorized printed receipt that should cover everything on the bill. Look out for the phrase “oι τιμές περιλαμβάνουν φόρους και υπηρεσία” which means prices include all relevant taxes and service.
In hotels and resorts, resort fees and universal service charges are not that common, and final bills should always state their inclusion. Likewise with organized tours–while it is rare, some companies will pre-include a service charge.
In all cases, if you are unsure, simply ask. It will not offend.
Final Tipping Tips for Visitors
Mykonos
Tipping in Greece is welcome in most cases, but not obligatory. Locals will often leave some small change for good service and it pays to follow suit.
The Greeks are an immensely proud people and you may find that some people refuse to take a tip–particularly taxi owner-drivers outside of the big cities. In such cases, offer one more time and if declined again, accept their choice with good grace. Some people might be embarrassed to be seen to be accepting tips they consider to be for people in lesser roles.
A few local phrases can be helpful. “Efharisto”, or “thank you” is the obvious one. When it comes to tipping though, “entaxi eimaste”, or “we’re okay” is a universal way of telling someone they should keep the change.
Read: Expert Tips for Visiting Greece for the First Time
Mykonos
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