Tipping is part of daily life in Austria, but new data shows habits and trends are shifting.
While tipping customs vary across countries, in Austria, it remains an expected gesture in many situations. However waiters are reporting that habits are changing, according to a recent Kurier report.
A waiter in Vienna’s city centre told the newspaper that people have become thriftier with tipping lately.
He’s not the only one noticing this shift. A waitress at a nearby café said that tipping was much better last year. For her, it’s not just about the money but also about gratitude. “It just shows gratitude for our job. This gratitude motivates us enormously,” she said.
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How much do people tip in Austria?
According to a recent survey reported by Kurier, around 25 percent of Austrians give approximately 10 percent of the bill as a tip (or Trinkgeld, in German) in restaurants, cafés, and similar venues.
Another 23 percent leave around 5 percent, while 16 percent give a fixed amount regardless of the bill. About 15 percent reported tipping differently depending on the situation, and 21 percent gave no specific answer.
Although tipping is common in Austria’s hospitality sector, it is not limited to restaurants.
Two-thirds of Austrians also tip in hair or beauty salons, and many leave tips in hotels. Delivery services, tradespeople such as handymen, taxi drivers, cloakroom or toilet attendants, and tour guides also receive tips from many customers.
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How do payment methods affect tipping habits?
Servers have noticed that tipping has changed with the rise of card payments.
A waitress at a café in central Vienna told Kurier that when people have cash in hand, they are more likely to round up the bill. However, when paying by card, customers are often hesitant to click the 10 percent option offered by the payment terminal.
This shift has impacted the amount of tips given, as more people pay by card and fewer carry small cash notes.
Some waiters have developed strategies to encourage tips, especially from tourists who may come from countries where tipping is included in the bill.
An employee at Das Café in Vienna’s 7th district told the Austrian daily that he specifically asks English-speaking guests, “Would you like to give a tip?” while making sure to accept a polite “no, thank you” without issue.
Another waiter who works near St. Stephen’s Cathedral focuses on being especially attentive to tourists. In his experience, this often leads to them tipping more than the usual 10 percent.
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Why do people tip in Austria?
For many Austrians, tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service.
The amount is typically not rigid but tends to be around 5 to 10 percent in restaurants and cafés. Outside the gastronomy sector, people also tip in hair salons, hotels, and taxis, although the amounts vary widely.
While some customers see tipping as essential, others view it as optional or unnecessary. This cultural difference is especially noticeable among international visitors, with some unaware that tips are not automatically included in Austrian bills.
If you are living in Austria or just visiting, it is worth knowing that rounding up the bill or leaving a tip is a common courtesy, especially in restaurants and cafés.
