Traveling to the Netherlands is a stunning experience that every wanderluster should add to their bucket list! From the jaw-dropping tulip fields in the spring, to the Rijksmuseum, to Anne Frank’s home – The Netherlands will offer you a beautiful bite of what Europe has to offer. As far as tipping goes during your travels, it can be an overwhelming aspect of your jet setting as you don’t want to insult anyone, but you also don’t want to be a cash-cow when it’s uncalled for.

What is the tipping etiquette in the Netherlands?   What you should tip in the Netherlands depends on the situation as well as your personal preferences.  Even though many countries in Europe add a tip into the bill, it doesn’t mean the server will see all of that money.

Our comprehensive guide will cover:

• Understanding the Dutch Tipping Culture
• Tipping in Restaurants
• Bars, Clubs, or Casual Cafés
• Uber/Taxi
• Hotels and Hostels
• Your Tour Guides
• Delivery
• Bathrooms
• General etiquette to be polite

Always examine your bill to see how much of a service charge is included.

A service charge will often be included, but that doesn’t always get you off the hook for a tip. Use this guide to answer all of your custom-questions related to Dutch tipping in any capacity. By the end, you will understand that it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer when traveling in the Netherlands!

Tipping Etiquette in the Netherlands: A Comprehensive Guide

You don’t want to leave a bad impression on such a beautiful place or be thought of as a cheap guest.

The general rule is that tipping is not required as a service charge is often included. This is custom throughout Europe as they will include a 5-15% service charge on most bills.

Always assess your bill for any sign of a service charge. If it seems high and as if the tip has been well-covered, you are not expected to tip.

If your bill seems to have included a low service-charge and you want to leave a bit extra, include an extra 5-10% of your bill or round up the figure to leave as a cash tip.

It is important to realize that your server won’t receive 100% of the service charge, so we will cover all of these details so you can be a traveler with integrity. If you want them to receive a tip directly, you must leave it in cash and be clear that it is for them and not to be shared with the business.

A good way to see tipping in the Netherlands is that 5% will never get you into trouble.

Looking online, many will tell you not to tip at all, but this is perpetuating the reputation that Americans blow through other countries like a hurricane and won’t ever tip.

Don’t be this traveler, American, or not.

People in the service industry work very hard for their money, and many depend on those tips to make a livelihood. Adding an extra euro or two to your bill won’t hurt you any but will save you from looking like a bad guest.

Whether tipping is recommended or not expected, it is always appreciated.

If you don’t want to read the entirety of this guide, live by the rule of at least 5% wherever you go in The Netherlands.

The Netherlands versus Holland

First, let’s address a misconception that some people consider the Netherlands to be Holland, but that is actually incorrect. Two regions of the Netherlands are considered Holland, but not the entirety of the country.  Think of it like this—all of Holland is in the Netherlands, but the Netherlands is not only Holland. 

To make it even more complicated, people in the Netherlands are referred to as Dutch.  And going Dutch—that’s related to eating out, so we’ll start there.

Tipping in a Restaurant

It’s important to say that tipping will always be 100% optional. It is always a kind gesture, and if you had exceptional service, show your appreciation by tipping slightly more.

Always read your bill to see how much of a service charge was added because any additional tipping may not be necessary. If it was 15%, you probably don’t need to tip. If the service charge was 5%, you might want to add something extra for the one that took care of you.

Dutch people are notorious for not tipping, so if a waiter wants to make big bucks, they head to Amsterdam, where Americans are visiting. Waiters in the Netherlands are making a higher standard of living than American waiters, which is why the tips aren’t always required.

Netherlander waiters are making a much more livable wage than American servers, so keep this in mind while tipping. They have a livable salary, and a tip is a bonus, whereas in America, wait staff make around $3.00 an hour, and that tip is their livelihood.

If your bill says a 15% service charge (or any service charge) has been left – this is going to the restaurant including:

• Your server
• The kitchen
• Split between all servers in a tipping-pool
• The restaurant owner
• Expenses/rent/etc.

So if you want your server to get more than a small percentage – leave it in cash, or your server won’t see it.

It is very kind to leave the 5% service charge but then round up your bill to give your server a tip directly.

For example:

Your service charge was €5 on a €100 bill. You may want to leave an extra €5-€10 in cash for your waiter and give it to them directly, so a table-busser doesn’t collect it mistakenly. You don’t need to leave the full 15-25% you would leave in America, but that €5 could really make their day! If you had exceptional service, consider leaving a bit extra.

The Dining Experience in The Netherlands

An important quality to understand about dining in this country is that many Dutch (and most Europeans) view dining not just as a meal, but as an experience.  They feel that a meal should take be enjoyed, delighted in, and savored.  It’s almost as though the meal is a show.  It should last 2 to 3 hours.  Since they don’t rush through meals, they don’t expect a waiter to be hovering around the table the entire time.

European servers want you to enjoy the experience, and they will not force themselves into the situation as often as an American server would to check on you. The Dutch see this as ‘bothering you’ so expect European waitstaff to give you a lot of space (possibly too much space for what you’re accustomed to).

Since they will be giving you more space, you need to know how to fend for yourself a bit more.

Things you should not expect from your Dutch waiter:

• To refill your drink when it’s empty
• To pop by every 5 minutes
• To put ice in any drink (not the European way – request it if you want it)
• To check on you after the food is delivered to confirm quality, as is the custom in America
• To be intuitive about your needs as an American server may be

Things you need to do as a guest in a Dutch restaurant:

• Always be kind and don’t rudely ask for things – but be noticeable or you’ll remain thirsty
• Take your time and understand service will be slower here than in the states
• Flag down the waiter or waitress when you need something. This is not rude to them because, again – they do not want to interrupt your dining experience. You have to ask them to interrupt your dining experience.

Tipping in Bars, Clubs, or Casual Cafés

When in a less formal restaurant where a waiter has not had to take close care of you (counter-service, quick bar service, or cafés), you are not required or expected to tip in the Netherlands.

Most people do not, but many will leave an extra euro on the table or some coin change when rounding up to the fullest amount to even their bill.

Just as with a more high-end restaurant – if you do leave a tip, it often goes to the back-staff or senior-level servers (not the person who waited on you). If you want the tip to go directly in their pocket, be blunt about telling them so.

Simply say, “this is for you, don’t share it,” and they will give you the rare-Dutch-smile to signify you’ve made their day!

• For Counter-service – Usually not required to tip at all.
• For Bartenders – Standard to round up the coin change or give them an extra euro (just as you’d tip $1 in America).
• For a Seated Café – Usually not required or around €1- €3 if they’ve taken care of you well.

Tipping Your Uber or Taxi

Tipping your driver will be similar yet different. When in major cities like Amsterdam or where tourism is more common, tipping will always be more popular because many Americans don’t know about service charges or that those in the service industry are earning a livable wage as compared to those in America that are not sans tips.

Uber is popular in major cities like Amsterdam, but you won’t see companies like Lyft.

Tipping your driver is similar to how you should tip your driver all around the world.

Round up the nearest dollar and give your driver around 1-5% of the ride total depending on:

• How long the drive was
• If he/she was kind and offered you great conversation or travel tips
• If they help you with your bags or go out of their way

Some examples are:

• If your ride was €18, give them €20.
• If your ride was €44, give them €50.
• If your ride was €91, make it an even €100.

It’s a difficult balance because you don’t want to shell out more than necessary, but you also don’t want people taking care of you for free. They don’t live to wait on you or drive you around, so always remember that someone is doing this to care for their family and eat, not just because they like you or think you’re special.

Put yourself in their shoes and consider how a small monetary gesture might make you feel appreciated.  The world is just a rippling of cause and effect. Spread a joyful ripple and watch it trickle out to other people by spreading joy, kindness, and abundance instead of a scarcity-mindset.

Tipping at a Hotel or Hostel

Your hotel in the Netherlands won’t commonly expect a tip from you. There is a service charge of usually 15% on your bill that goes towards the front desk staff, maids, valet, and management.

If your concierge took wonderful care of you, called you rides, recommended a spot that changed your entire trip and made you fall in love with the city – show that concierge your appreciation by slipping them a €5- €10 bill.

These are small gestures that mean a lot. But with hotels and hostels, especially, you do not need to feel pressure to tip at all. They do not expect it and are there to offer you hospitality regardless.

You are technically already paying that in the service charge on your bill. Always regard that bill and determine if you want to add anything additional on top of it based on your customer experience.

At a luxury hotel:

• For the Concierge – it may be expected to tip the concierge more than a lower-scale hotel. For upscale accommodations, go with the rule of €5 per night of your stay.
• For the Luggage-Porter – similar to anywhere, around €3-€10 is recommended (or €3 per bag).
• For the Valet – around €1-€5 is recommended
• For the Front Desk – tipping is not required or expected

At a hostel or lower-scale accommodation:

Tipping is usually not expected. Tip €5 to anyone that blows you away with their customer service!

Tipping Your Tour Guides

Your tour guides really add something special to your getaway. We recommend always choosing a tour guide over an audio recording because you will get a unique perspective, plus you will be able to ask questions.  A lively, informative tour guide can be the highlight of a trip.  Tour guides work hard, constantly learning new information, modifying their presentation, and dealing with the unexpected.  that excitement from someone that deeply loves this history, and you get to be excited with them as you experience the history through their eyes.

Tour guides really make or break a trip depending on what you are visiting for, so if they’ve blown you away with their knowledge or taken you to special locations – tip them well to show them how much it means to you.

Recommended at minimum regarding your tour guides is around:

• €5 for a 1-3-hour tour
• €10 for a 3-5-hour tour
• €20 for a 5+ hour tour

Always read your bill and determine how much of a service charge they have already included or if there is a section called, ‘tour guide gratuity.’

You can also be straight-forward and ask them. Say something along the lines of:

“I see there is a gratuity here, but is this going to you or the company? I want this money to go to you directly for making our trip so special. What is the best way I can make that happen?”

Your tour guide will love you forever.   this is the way to show appreciation for people working hard to please you. They aren’t doing it for their health!

If you are taking a free walking tour – always tip.

Don’t be that person that wants everything for as cheap as possible. If you are saving on the free tour, pass a bit of that savings on to the guide themselves.

For a more casual tour like the Hop on Hop Off tours, a typical tip of about £1-5 is wonderful.

Tipping a Salon, Masseuse, Luxury Service, and More

Tipping is similar to counter-service. You are not expected to tip much, if anything. Instead, you can count on a gratuity being included on your bill.

If your masseuse took extra care of you for two hours or you come out of a facial glowing, show them your appreciation with a €5-€10 tip. A Euro is worth slightly more than the U.S. dollar, so this is closer to a $10-$15 tip and quite acceptable.

Anything more than this might be considered ‘too much,’ so keep it at around €5 for your masseuse, hair-stylist, facialist, etc.

As far as etiquette here:

• Be quiet and respectful to other relaxing patrons at the facility
• Be respectful of your masseuse or stylist
• Turn off your phone—

Tipping for Delivery or Takeout

If food is brought to your door, you will not usually be expected to tip beyond what is included in a service charge.  Your delivery driver will be surprised if you tip.

By all means, if the driver went above and beyond to keep your food warm and deliver it with a smile, throw them an extra €1-€3.

Tipping in European Bathrooms

While traveling around Europe, get mentally prepared to pay to use the restroom.  Public restrooms will only be for paying customers of a restaurant or shop.

If you are just walking around the streets of the town and stumble upon a truly public restroom – it will usually cost around €1-€2 euros to use.

Expect this when roaming the streets, in the underground metro, around any train or bus stations.  Someone will be hovering around, cleaning, replenishing supplies, or talking on the cell phone.  You are expected to pay the fee, but you are not expected to tip this person beyond the required fee.

If this is your first time traveling to the Netherlands, be aware that in higher-end establishments, you might encounter someone with towels and soaps trying to get a tip.  Do what feels right to you at the moment and simply say, ‘no, thank you,’ if you do not want their products.

If you use their product/towel/soap – you absolutely have to tip them (or prepare to be yelled at in Dutch).

If you don’t want to tip, don’t use their product. Period.

Tips for Dutch Cultural-Etiquette and Being Polite

Avoid political conversations as many of the taxi drivers will try to ask you about your politics. Be polite but move away from this topic, for your safety and sanity while enduring a potentially very long ride.

Always give a cash tip to the person you want it to go to. You may think that a 15% service charge is helping your waiter, but they will be sharing a service charge tip with others. They are making a livable salary so don’t feel sorry for them, but tip them directly in cash if they have taken wonderful care of you. This way, you know they actually receive it.

Be clear and don’t speak too softly when giving a tip. Be as frank as the Dutch are about how much you’re giving and who it’s supposed to go.

Cultural Tips are:

• The Dutch hold very strong eye-contact as most Europeans do, and may stand close to your face while speaking with you. This is normal, but don’t feel as if they’re trying to break your personal bubble. They just aren’t aware of it the way Americans are.
• Don’t ask personal questions that seem too invasive. This can be rude as the Dutch are quite private.
• The Dutch don’t like to touch people and are not known for being affectionate. Don’t try to touch someone unnecessarily or within their consent.
• If you poke your forehead or put your index finger on the center of your head, you are calling someone crazy. This is the equivalent to the middle finger in America. Don’t do it.
• Commitments are honorable in the Netherlands, so if you make a promise, don’t break it. This is considered disgraceful and will make you a man or woman without honor.
• The Dutch are no-nonsense and don’t hyperbolize. They won’t be superfluous or say things with extra ornamentation. If they say, ‘not bad,’ you are receiving a big compliment.
• Don’t try slapstick humor or over the top language with them. They will think you a fool.

Dining Tips are:

• To call over the waiter/waitress, make eye contact, raise a hand, and flag them with a soft smile, so you don’t look too hard, commanding, or rude.
• “Going Dutch” on a bill is normal here, so splitting is very normal.
• Give the tip upfront and expect better service throughout. Saying something like, “here’s €20 just for you. If you can keep an eye on my business meeting and be sure everyone’s beer stays full, I would appreciate it.” You will  be taken care of better for an upfront tip.
• While dining, you are expected to keep your hands above the table the entire time.  But no elbows on the table. Hands below the table can be seen as rude or odd.
• Don’t expect ice in Europe. This is an American habit.  tradition, and nowhere else in the world do they put ice in their drinks. We are the spoiled and needy ones here so let’s just own it. You probably won’t get a chilled glass for your beer or ice in your coke. Instead of wasting time being upset at the customs of privilege, just ask for ice if you want it.

It’s always an ideal thing to do research on the country and culture you are about to immerse yourself in. Before you arrive, try to understand more about their way of life and the history that influenced them.  Take a moment to understand more about their behaviors, expectations for you as a visitor, and culture.

 This will help you avoid offending anyone and be able to engage with their culture from a more knowledgeable, empathetic, and kind perspective. Everyone loves a self-aware traveler!  

Final Tips for Your Travels!

Keep in mind that the service charge will ultimately not go to the server, but rather to management.

Make a €27 tab €30 by rounding up. It’s not expensive and won’t make or break your wallet, but it will often result in your experiencing better service on your trip, especially if the tip is given upfront.

Tipping is not required but always a kindship. Tipping is always voluntary, and you don’t need to overthink it. Simply tip what feels right for that situation and ask yourself how much they deserve to take care of you and your family during your travels.

Instincts are rarely wrong, so trust your gut when uncertain.

If you’re ever completely lost of absolutely unsure – go with the safest expression of, “keep the change!”