What we can definitely say is that Tipping is more or less similar to what happens in some European countries and totally different from what happens in North America. If you are visiting from the United States for example, you are accustomed with being presented with a bill without being asked (check also our other post about Restaurant Etiquette), and normally it includes one or a few expected amounts of tip to add to your bill, and normally it is quite frowned upon not to tip an amount close to 20% or so.

In Portugal (and in Europe, for that matter) it is better to change your mindset a little when visiting, and definitely when choosing this country to live. If you want to fit in, keep up with the locals, and not damage the existing culture you probably need to take your tipping a notch down.

I’ll explain: It’s not that locals don’t tip or that tipping is not well considered, but the amounts and the ways to do it are vastly different.

So, how do most people tip in Portugal, and how should visitors tip? Similar to the rest of Western Europe, Portugal does not have a strong tipping culture, and there are really no rules regarding tipping.

This doesn’t mean locals don’t tip, it just means locals tip differently, the expectations are different and pressure is virtually nonexistent.

When eating at restaurants in Portugal, it’s normal to leave a small tip for your server. A tip is not required and ultimately depends on you to choose to leave it or not.

You may relate it to the level of service, or to any other reason, but nobody will put your face on a dart board as “persona non grata” (unwelcomed patrons).  As a general idea, if you do choose to leave a tip after a meal, you can leave something between 1 or 2€ per person, or 5 to 10% of the bill. For example, if a meal is 20 euros, most Portuguese would just leave 1/2 euros of loose change as the tip.

If a meal is 100 for 3 or 4 people, you can leave 10€ if you want but there is no need to leave 20/30 or more euros as that may create a standard that is impossible to maintain by the locals.

The tip can be left as cash on the table or the small plate with the bill. Most places will not allow you to add tip if you are using a card, as most machines are not ready for that, and while in some more touristy locations that may be possible, cash is the best way to ensure the employee gets the tip.

It’s also important to reinforce that it’s tips should be given in euros so the people can easily use the money without having to make a special trip to a bank or an exchange house (and then pay a fee to retrieve money). US or Canadian Dollars are not legal currency and not accepted, and although nobody will be so impolite as to refuse a tip because it’s in dollars, it will be more difficult to use the money.

We are seeing more and more places, especially in Lisbon and Porto restaurants that put on the final bill “service not included”. This is not true, service is ALWAYS included with your bill, as are the taxes and all needed expenses, so we shouldn’t confuse service with a tip. You already paid for the service on your bill, and waiters are paid a wage by the restaurant, so if you choose to leave something, it should be because you want to leave a tip for great service, not because you feel you should leave something to pay for the service.

For casual cafés, pastry shops bars, etc, tips are much rarer. The bills are normally much lower, sometimes even just a couple of euros, and it’s not customary to leave some cents, but if you’re paying cash (read this other article about small card payments in Portugal) and if there is some loose change in your bill, you can leave the small coins, or round up and take the larger coins. But also pay attention, if you’re change is a few cents (under 10/20) avoid leaving that as it may come across as impolite. For tours, and in our case, just as the restaurants, everything is already included in the bill, but we do also strive to provide the best experiences to people so it’s always appreciated.

At Week Break Tours, we specialize in crafting premium private tours that showcase the best of Portugal. Whether you’re looking for a cultural deep dive, a scenic road trip, or a gourmet adventure, we offer a wide range of customizable or bespoke experiences tailored to your interests. Let us take care of the details while you enjoy a seamless, authentic, and unforgettable journey. Book your next discovery today!

Check our tours page or Contact Us for more information.