Tipping is practically unavoidable in the U.S., but that’s definitely not true everywhere. In these 20+ destinations, the rules can be very different.
If you live in, or have visited, the U.S., you’ve probably experienced it: places are asking for tips EVERYWHERE.
As a tipping society, tipping restaurant servers, hotel housekeepers and skycaps, among others, has been a typical part of traveling for decades. But over the past several years, requests for tips have increased significantly.
The passive “tip jar” at fast-food and quick-service places has become the much more assertive “How much would you like to tip? 20%? 25%? 30%?” on the credit card screen. The traditional 15% restaurant tip has crept up to 18%, 20% or even more. And some places—even at airports—ask for a tip after you’ve picked out your own items and paid at a self-service kiosk!
So yeah…some people are fuming about tipping.
But we’re still a tipping society. And regardless of how you personally feel about the system, most of us aren’t going to take out our frustration on a server who’s counting on tips as part of their income.
Other countries, however, have very different tipping cultures.
And in some of them, tipping isn’t generally expected at all—or it’s reserved for particularly good service.
So if you’ve got a serious case of tip fatigue, these 20+ destinations might feel downright refreshing.
Countries And Destinations Where Tipping Usually Isn’t Expected
Australia
Australia’s National Minimum Wage increased again on July 1, 2026, to A$26.44 per hour. Most Australian employees are actually covered by industry awards, which set their own minimum rates. Either way, tipping generally isn’t expected the way it is in the U.S.
In response to a question about tipping on Reddit, an Australian said, in a question about tipping, “We generally don’t tip, Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world. Tipping is really only for exceptional service. Most Australians reject the idea of tipping as a concept – and believe it is up to the employer to pay their employee a livable wage.”
Belgium
In Belgium, the price of your meal, taxi ride, etc., already includes a service charge. Therefore no tipping is required.
Brazil
Restaurants, hotels, etc. in Brazil will add on an extra 10% service charge, but even then, the surcharge is optional. And although it’s customary to round up the price of, say, a taxi ride, it’s not required.
China
Tipping traditionally hasn’t been part of the culture in mainland China, and it’s still generally not expected in restaurants, taxis and most everyday situations.
Tourism can be an exception. Guides and drivers working with international tourists may accept or expect gratuities, and some upscale or tourist-oriented establishments may add a service charge.
But for everyday transactions, tipping generally isn’t necessary.
Denmark
According to Visit Copenhagen, the Danish capital’s official portal for tourism information:
…tipping is not a tradition. If you receive extraordinary good service, you are welcome to reward it with a tip, but it is not expected.
Service is normally included in the bill at restaurants, hotels and taxis. Thus it is optional whether to round up the bill or not. Waiters and waitresses, taxi drivers etc. earn higher wages than in other countries and are not dependent on tips in the same way.
Tipping is greatly appreciated, but not expected, and you should only do so if you feel you are getting exceptionally good service. If you do tip, 10 percent of the bill is sufficient.
Dubai
Many restaurants and hotels in Dubai add service charges to the bill, so check before automatically adding a tip. Tipping isn’t mandatory, although it’s common to leave something extra for good service in restaurants, taxis and hotels.
Estonia
Tipping isn’t generally expected in Estonia. If you receive particularly good service, you can leave something extra, but it’s entirely optional.
Finland
Tipping isn’t generally expected in Finland, where service is typically included in the price. If you receive particularly good service, you can round up the bill or leave a little extra, but there’s no obligation to do so.
France
Restaurants in France will generally add a 15% service charge to diners’ bills (you may see it on the menu with the words “service compris”). For bars and taxi drivers, tipping is optional and, at best, you can just round up to the nearest euro.
French Polynesia
Tipping isn’t traditionally expected in French Polynesia, although it’s becoming more common in some tourist-oriented restaurants and resorts. It’s still generally optional.
Hong Kong
Many restaurants and hotels in Hong Kong add a service charge to the bill, commonly around 10%. Leaving anything beyond that generally isn’t required, although some people may round up or leave a little extra for particularly good service.
Tipping taxi drivers isn’t generally expected, although rounding up the fare is common.
Iceland
Tipping isn’t generally expected in Iceland. Service is typically included in the price, although you can round up or leave something extra for exceptional service if you’d like.
Italy
Italy is most definitely not a tipping culture. You can leave a few euros on the table as you leave a restaurant, or round up your taxi fare…but you don’t have to.
Japan
Tipping isn’t traditionally expected in Japan, and in many everyday situations, staff may be surprised or confused if you try to leave extra money. Excellent service is generally considered part of the job rather than something that requires an additional payment.
There are exceptions, particularly in some tourism and hospitality settings, but as a general rule, you don’t need to tip in Japan.
New Zealand
Some places might have a tip jar but you’re under no pressure to actually tip. No worries.
Singapore
Restaurants and bars typically add a 10% service charge so you don’t need to tip anyone there. Other than that, no one expects a tip.
South Korea
Tipping isn’t traditionally expected in South Korea, and in many everyday situations, leaving extra money simply isn’t necessary.
Some upscale hotels, restaurants and businesses catering heavily to international tourists may be more accustomed to gratuities, but travelers generally don’t need to add a tip to routine purchases or services.
Spain
Tipping isn’t generally expected in Spain. If you want to leave a little extra for especially good service, that’s fine, but it’s certainly not expected the way it is in the U.S.
Sweden
Visit Sweden, the official tourism site for Sweden, says of tipping: “It’s always welcome but not expected.” If you’d like, you can round up the bill or leave a little extra for especially good service. But even that isn’t expected.
Switzerland
Federal laws in Switzerland mandate that all service charges be included in published prices. Therefore, no tipping is necessary.
Taiwan
Some hotels and higher-end restaurants may add a service charge, but you typically don’t need to leave an additional tip.
Of course, tipping customs can change, and even within the same country, what’s expected can depend on whether you’re at a restaurant, hotel, in a taxi or on a tour. So it’s always worth checking the local customs before you go.
But if you’re an American who’s grown weary of being presented with a screen asking whether you’d like to tip 20%, 25% or 30% for something you picked off a shelf yourself, visiting some of these countries can be downright refreshing.
You pay what’s on the bill. Maybe round up if you received especially good service. And then you leave.
What a concept. 😉
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