Culture & sights
Tipping in Luxembourg: how much and when?
5 min read
Cafe terrace in Place d’Armes Luxembourg
Restaurants, cafes and bars
Menu prices already include service and VAT (17 percent on food, 3 percent on non-alcoholic drinks, marked as service compris). A tip is a genuine thank-you, not a wage top-up. At a cafe where the bill is 8.50 euros, leaving 9 or 10 is normal. At a proper dinner for 60 euros, rounding to 65 or leaving 5 percent is polite; 10 percent signals you were impressed. Nobody calculates 18-20 percent the way Americans do, and staff will not chase you down.
Tell the server the total you want to pay when they bring the card machine, because they enter the tipped amount before handing it over. Leaving coins on the table works too but is less common.
Taxis, hotels and everything else
Round taxi fares up to the nearest euro or two, no more. Hotel porters get 1-2 euros per bag if they carry it; housekeeping gets 1-2 euros per night left on the pillow if you feel like it, and plenty of guests leave nothing. Tour guides on a paid walking tour appreciate 2-5 euros per person at the end. Hairdressers and spa staff: round up. Bartenders pouring a beer: no tip needed, though saying keep the change on a 4.20 euro pils is nice.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude not to tip at all?
No. Locals often leave nothing at casual places, especially at lunch. Service staff are paid a proper wage.
Can I tip in dollars or pounds?
Please do not. Foreign cash is a hassle to exchange for small amounts. Euros or nothing.
Where to stay
Rooms worth pairing with this guide.
Ready to plan this trip?
Real prices for the places this piece names.
