Tipping in France
International tipping guide
Tipping in France
When a French restaurant bill is “service compris,” zero extra is acceptable; a small 2–3% or loose change can recognize notably good service.
Important international tipping disclaimer
Use this page as a starting point, not a universal rule. This page provides general travel-etiquette guidance, not legal, tax, employment, or consumer advice. “Service compris” and “service non compris” materially change the calculation, and practices can vary by venue, region, service type and tourism context. Verify the wording on the menu and bill. Do not add another full percentage merely because a card terminal displays a tip prompt, and ask the venue when the receipt is unclear.
Interactive travel tool
France Tipping Calculator
For flat-amount services, this can remain as context while the quantity drives the result.
Enter the included percentage only when it clearly counts toward your intended gratuity.
The destination and service set a researched starting rate. You can override it transparently.
Quick tipping reference
These are starting ranges, not compulsory charges.
| Service | Starting range | Receipt or context check |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant with service compris | 0–3% | A small extra is optional for notably good service. |
| Taxi | 0–15% | Rounding may also be appropriate. |
| Hotel porter or housekeeping | EUR 1.5–5 per bag or night | Use the relevant unit for the role. |
| Tour guide | EUR 2–10 per traveler per excursion | Tour length and format matter. |
| Food delivery | 0–10% | Usually discretionary. |
How tipping works in France
Restaurant prices generally include service (“service compris”). A small extra is a gesture for notably good service rather than a second full North American-style tip.
Receipt language to recognize
service compris service non compris pourboire
Terminology alone does not prove that a charge reaches a particular worker. Ask the venue when distribution matters.
Service compris: what the French bill already includes
French law has required menu prices to include service since 1987, so every restaurant bill is effectively “service compris”, usually built in at around 15%. A tip — pourboire — is therefore a small extra for service you especially liked, not part of the price.
How locals handle it
- Cafés: leave the small change from an espresso or round up to the next euro.
- Bistros and brasseries: €1–€3 per person, or up to 5% for attentive service.
- Fine dining: 5–10% is generous and noticed.
- Card payments: French terminals rarely offer a tip option, so keep a few coins if you want to leave something.
Outside restaurants
Taxi fares are often rounded up by a euro or two. Hotel porters receive about €1–€2 per bag. On group walking tours, €2–€5 per person is a common thank-you for a good guide.
Worked example
Dinner for two costs €62, service already included. Leaving €3 (about 5%) says the evening was excellent; leaving nothing is equally normal.
More tipping guides
Compare customs in Europe, Italy and Spain, or see every destination in Tipping by Country. To work out an amount for any bill, use the tip calculator.
Related calculators and country guides
Continue with the most useful next step.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip in France?
Use the calculator as a starting point, then check the receipt, service type, local custom and venue policy.
Should I tip when a service charge is included?
Not automatically. Identify whether the charge replaces gratuity, is compulsory, or is simply another fee before adding more.
Should I calculate the tip before or after tax?
Use the base that matches local practice and your intention. The calculator keeps the choice transparent.
Do card-terminal tip prompts reflect local custom?
Not necessarily. A payment interface can show preset percentages even where tipping is optional or not expected.
Can the same country have different tipping rules?
Yes. City, region, resort, venue category, service type and booking terms can all change the practical answer.
Is 15% service included in France?
Yes. Prices must include service, so a separate 15% tip is not expected.
What does “service non compris” mean?
That service is not included. It is rarely seen now because the law requires prices to include service.
Methodology and authoritative references
CalcTypes separates arithmetic from etiquette. The tool applies a transparent percentage or flat amount, while the editorial guidance identifies whether tipping is expected, optional, included or generally unnecessary. Sources are reviewed for destination relevance and receipt terminology.