Tipping in Amsterdam: all you need to know in 2024 (2024)

Lost about tipping in Amsterdam? Received the bill and have no idea what to pay? I feel you.

Coming from Australia, I had no idea what the Dutch tipping etiquette was when I first moved to the Netherlands.

Now I’ve learned that it’s not abnormal to tip in the Netherlands — but only in certain situations.

We’ve put together all the tips you need to know about tipping in Amsterdam (and the rest of the Netherlands): who you tip, when you tip, where it is customary, and how much to give.

Tipping in restaurants in the Netherlands

If you’re sitting in a Dutch restaurant and are handed the bill, should you tip? How nice of you to ask!

No matter whether you’re at a hot restaurant in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, or elsewhere, research shows that even the Dutch are unsure how much to tip.

That’s because, in the Netherlands, there is no social or written requirement to tip a restaurant worker.

READ MORE | How to order in Dutch: from getting a ‘tafeltje’ to paying the ‘rekening’

However, if you received good service or thoroughly enjoyed the food, it’s customary to give a small tip — around 5-10% of the bill. If your service was just average, round up the bill or leave some change.

It’s very rare for restaurants to include a specific service charge on the bill. If this is included, there’s no expectation to leave an additional tip (although you’re always welcome to). See the next section for more details.

Can a restaurant in the Netherlands include a service charge on the bill?

Getting a service charge on a bill can be a nasty surprise — particularly when you feel obligated to pay it. For students or tourists on a budget, it can take an affordable dinner to a blowout extravaganza fast.

READ MORE | What currency is used in the Netherlands? Paying in Amsterdam and beyond

Luckily, this rarely happens in the Netherlands because servicekosten (service costs) have been included in bills since the 1970s and are reflected in menu prices.

If you are unlucky enough to see an unfair additional charge on your bill, discuss it with the manager. Unless they’ve mentioned it beforehand, it’s purely voluntary, and you can ask to have it removed.

Tipping in bars in Holland

If you’re drinking in a bar, you may already be feeling a little generous. Thankfully, it’s not expected to tip per drink in the Netherlands (we’re looking at you, Americans).

Instead, if you’re running a tab throughout the evening, you may like to round up the bill at the end of the night. Alternatively, throw a few coins in a tip jar — your bartenders will appreciate it!

Is it customary to tip taxi drivers in Holland?

It’s not necessary to tip your taxi drivers in the Netherlands, but you can round up the bill or tip one or two euros if you like.

Dutch taxis are already expensive thanks to high gas prices and taxes, so drivers don’t expect tips.

Of course, if you received great service, it may be worth letting them know.

Do I need to tip at a café in Amsterdam?

If you’re sitting in a cute Dutch café enjoying some koffie and an appelflap (try it, you can thank us later) and you’re handed the bill, there’s no requirement to tip. Of course, if your bill was €8.50 and your appelflap was truly lekker (delicious) you may like to give your server €10 and call it a day.

But if you do decide to wait for your change, they won’t blink an eye. The same goes for takeaway coffees — there’s no requirement to tip, but you’re welcome to if you want.

Do I tip at a hotel in the Netherlands?

At those prices? Just kidding. It’s never expected to tip at a hotel in the Netherlands. Of course, if you have a great receptionist or porter, you may like to give them a few euros as a thank you.

Should I tip my tour guide in the Netherlands?

If you’ve had a fantastic tour led by a truly excellent guide, you may like to tip them a few euros. It won’t be expected, although some tour guides may encourage it — but it is always a choice.

READ MORE | 63 things to do in the Netherlands: the ultimate Dutch bucket list

There is one exception: if you’re taking a free walking tour, these guides earn their whole salary from tips. Plan on tipping around €10 per person, or extra if it was a truly fantastic tour.

Do I tip at a hairdresser or spa in Holland?

You may be seeing a trend here — tipping in Amsterdam, and the rest of the Netherlands is very rarely compulsory. But, if you receive great service from a hairdresser, manicurist, spa worker, or anything in between, you can leave a few euros to show your gratitude.

A short history of tipping in the Netherlands

Until the 1970s, it was common to see a mandatory servicekosten on a bill. This was a fixed 15% charge that was originally implemented after the 1950s.

By the 1970s, people had gotten used to the fixed charge, and it began to be integrated directly into the cost of food instead. While all prices rose 15% at the time, the service cost no longer appeared separately on the receipt.

READ MORE | Banking in the Netherlands: the complete guide

Today, this service cost is still built into the bill — and it’s this service cost that allows hospitality workers to be paid at least minimum wage. Of course, it can be expensive to live in the Netherlands, so if you do get exceptional service, you may like to give a small tip to your hospitality worker to make their day.

How to tip in the Netherlands

Here are a couple more things that are handy to know about tipping in the Netherlands.

Are tip jars common?

You’ll quite often see tip jars in cafés and bars in the Netherlands, and at some restaurants as well. Feel free to throw some spare change in there if you liked the service (or just hate carrying change).

Should tipping be secretive in Amsterdam?

We’ve all seen the sly ‘drug deal’ type of tipping — a mystery note covered by someone’s hand, slipped secretively into someone else’s. If you’re the kind to do this, go ahead — but it’s absolutely not necessary. Just hand them the tip, and they’ll be happy enough to accept it.

Can I tip with a bank card in Holland?

If you’re not the kind of person to carry cash, most places that have a card machine are able to process the tip alongside the rest of the bill. Remember though that many places will only accept Maestro, not Visa or MasterCard. Just let them know that you want to tip before you pay.

A quick guide to Dutch tipping language

We all know the Dutch have some amazing English skills, but if you want to immerse yourself in the Dutch language, give these quick phrases a go:

The bottom line on tipping in Amsterdam

The Dutch approach to tipping is very sensible: tip where you get good service. You don’t need to tip a lot, but any tip received is greatly welcomed by your hardworking servers, bartenders, drivers, or other staff who sometimes don’t earn a lot of money in a very expensive country.

Rounding up the bill, leaving a few euros, or tipping 10% will really go a long way to making their day better!

Got a question about tipping in the Netherlands? Ask it in the comments below!