Before traveling abroad, it’s common for travelers to inquire about various best practices, navigating through what might be considered rude, expected, or normal. For those venturing to Lisbon (or any other charming corner of the country), figuring out tipping in Portugal is certainly something to consider.
In line with many Western European countries, Portugal didn’t have a particularly prominent tipping culture historically, and there were minimal expectations for tips. However, with evolving dynamics, including an influx of expatriates and the flourishing tourism industry, the culture around tipping has shifted. Nowadays, it’s more common to leave a tip, and such gestures are warmly welcomed.
What's Included
Do you tip in Portugal?
The answer isn’t so black and white, but we’ll break it down.
Across the country, locals will typically tip taxi drivers and restaurant waiters. Tipping in Portugal is common whether you’re at one of the Michelin star restaurants in Lisbon or a family-owned eatery in small village. This is especially true if the service was exceptional.
In businesses catering more to tourists than locals, it’s more common for the employees to expect a tip. However, tipping is not mandatory, and you should only do so if you feel comfortable about it. A rule of thumb for tipping in Portugal: make sure to leave a tip to reward exceptional service.
Which businesses should you tip?
If you’ve received exceptional service in cafes, restaurants, hotels, or transportation services (like taxis or Ubers), it’s encouraged and appreciated to leave a tip.
To have a rough idea of what’s the average cost of taxi fare in Portugal, use an online tool like Taxi Fare Finder. When booking a taxi or ride through a mobile app, leaving a tip can be conveniently done within the app itself.
When participating in a guided tour, it is a common practice nowadays to give a tip as a gesture of appreciation if you enjoyed the experience (although, again it is not mandatory).
How much should you tip?
At Portuguese restaurants, you can choose to leave 5 to 10 percent of the final bill as a tip. Many locals will round up the check. So, for example, if the meal was €37, you can pay €40 and tell them to keep the change.
Some people who don’t feel comfortable tipping actually find the “keep the change” approach less awkward than openly tipping. It’s a matter of personal preference.
Most cafés have a tip jar next to the cashier, if not all year round at least during the holidays (Christmas and Easter). Anything between €0.20 and €1 is appropriate, just try to avoid giving only very “small” coins (€0.01, €0.02 and €0.05) because it makes it look like you’re dumping unwanted change. Use the small change to pay for the bill, instead. The cashier will thank you for it.
Can you tip with a card?
Paying your bill at a restaurant using a debit or card is normal in Portugal, especially for larger amounts and if you’re not keen on carrying a lot of cash. You can tip in cash by leaving some coins (or even a bill if you’re feeling extra generous) on the table on top of the check.
In some places, the POS system (the little machine where you swipe or insert your card) allows you to add the tip. It usually shows the price to pay on the first row and then €0.00 on the second row where you can add the desired tip (gratificação in Portuguese) to your bill.
Some Portuguese actually find it rude to see the gratificação on the screen because they assume the employee is trying to guilt them into tipping, but screens prompting you to tip are becoming more and more common all over the world. At the end of the day, tips are always appreciated, but keep in mind that it’s a personal choice.
Update notice: This post was updated on October 28, 2024.
Want to explore other cultural insights in Portugal? Our Lisbon food tours will give you a crash course in eating like a local, from how to navigate Portuguese mealtimes to what to eat and where. And, of course, there will be plenty of typical bites along the way.
