Greece is not a heavy-tipping culture. Unlike the United States, service staff here earn a set wage and are not financially dependent on gratuities. But tipping does happen, it is appreciated, and knowing the local conventions will help you navigate the unwritten rules without either offending anyone or over-paying out of habit.
The short version: round things up, tip in cash, and never feel pressured. Here is the full breakdown by venue.
Restaurants
Leaving 5-10% is the standard for table service at a sit-down restaurant. On a €30 meal (approximately $33), rounding up to €33-34 is comfortable. On a larger group bill of €80 (approximately $88), leaving €85-88 signals you were happy with the service.
The traditional way to tip in a Greek restaurant is to leave cash on the table as you leave. Do not hand coins directly to a waiter before departing - leaving money on the table is cleaner and less awkward.
A few things to know:
- Couvert charges (bread, olives, spreads brought automatically) of €1-2 per person are standard at tavernas and some restaurants. This appears on your bill and is not a service charge. Tip on top of it if you want to.
- At a casual gyros shop or souvlaki stand, there is no tipping expectation. Rounding up by €0.50-1 is fine if you want to.
- At tourist-facing restaurants in Santorini, Mykonos, or central Athens, staff are more accustomed to tips and a 10% tip is a generous but normal gesture.
Cafes and Bars
At a Greek kafeneio (traditional coffee house) or a modern espresso bar, leaving the small change is the norm. If your coffee costs €3.80 and you pay €4, the €0.20 stays on the counter. There is no expectation of a percentage-based tip.
At a cocktail bar where drinks cost €12-16 each, rounding up by €1-2 per round is appropriate and common in resort areas.
Taxis
Round up to the nearest whole euro. On a fare of €12.30, paying €13 is fine. On a longer airport run of €40, rounding up to €42-43 is generous and well received. There is no percentage convention for taxis in Greece.
Do not tip on top of the meter for short city rides - the fare already includes a standard starting charge. If a driver has helped you with heavy luggage on a longer journey, an extra €2-3 (approximately $2-3) is a thoughtful addition.
Athens taxis use meters. On the islands, agree a price beforehand for non-metered journeys - in that case you are paying the agreed amount and there is no expectation to add more. If you would rather skip taxi negotiations on islands, you can compare car hire in Greece.
Hotel Staff
Housekeeping: €1-2 per night (approximately $1-2) is a widely accepted convention. Leave it on the pillow or bedside table each morning rather than as a lump sum at checkout, as different staff may clean your room on different days.
Porters: €1-2 per bag is standard. On a two-bag trip, €2-3 total is appropriate.
Concierge: For a simple restaurant recommendation, nothing is required. For concierge staff who have secured a difficult reservation, arranged private transfers, or sorted out a travel problem, €5-10 (approximately $5-11) is a reasonable gesture.
Housekeeping at budget hotels and apartments: Not expected, but €1 per night is always kind.
Tour Guides
Private guide: €10-20 per person (approximately $11-22) at the end of a day tour is fair. For a half-day walking tour of €40-60 per person, €10-15 per person is generous.
Group tours: For guided group tours costing €50-100 per person, tipping €5-10 per person at the end is common among international visitors, particularly from North America and northern Europe. Greek locals rarely tip on group tours, so do not feel conspicuous either way.
Boat trip crew: On shared sailing excursions or catamaran day trips, tipping €5-10 per person (approximately $5-11) for the crew is appreciated, particularly if they have been attentive with snorkelling gear, food, and safety.
Hair Salons and Spas
Tipping around 10% at a hair salon is the norm in Greek cities, slightly less expected in smaller towns. On a €25 cut, leaving €27-28 is comfortable.
At spas, 10% for a massage or treatment is standard and appreciated. On a €60 massage, leave €6 (approximately $7).
Service Charge: What Is Actually Included
Greece does not have a legally mandated or automatic service charge added to restaurant bills. What you will see is:
- Couvert/cover charge (psomaki or kouverto): €1-3 per person for bread and accompaniments brought to the table. This is listed separately and is not a tip.
- Some high-end Athens restaurants or resort hotels may add a service charge of 5-10% - check the bill carefully.
If a service charge is already on the bill, you are not obligated to tip further, though rounding up a small amount is still common.
Cash vs. Card Tipping
Always tip in cash. Greek card terminals very rarely present a tip option, and in most cases adding a tip to a card payment in Greece does not guarantee it reaches the person who served you. Keep a mix of coins and small notes (€1, €2, €5) for tipping throughout your trip.
Staying online helps with banking alerts and cash withdrawals, so a Greece eSIM is worth sorting before you land. For a practical overview of carrying cash and using ATMs in Greece, see our Greece currency and money guide.
Common Mistakes Tourists Make
Over-tipping at casual spots. A €5 tip on a €6 coffee will confuse a café owner and potentially embarrass them. Keep proportions reasonable.
Assuming the couvert charge is a service fee. It is not. The bread and olives you did not order are charged as a cover - it is a separate line item, not a gratuity.
Tipping by card. The terminal rarely supports it and the money may not flow to your server.
Not having small change. If you want to tip €2 but only have €20 notes, you either over-tip or skip it. Keep coins and small notes in a separate pocket from the start of the day.
Feeling obligated on self-service. At fast-food gyros spots, kiosks, and ferry cafeterias, there is no expectation of any tip.
Greece is a relaxed country when it comes to tipping. Round things up when service has been good, tip in cash, and you are doing it right.