So many countries, and so many tipping customs! Here is a simple guide to help you understand Romania’s tipping etiquette. Explore tipping in Romania: customary gratuities, evolving practices, and cultural nuances in hospitality customs.
Yes, tipping is appreciated in Romania, and the usual tip is 10% of the bill
Yet, tipping is not a requisite but a way to show appreciation for good service. It’s up to you whether to leave a tip and how much to give based on the quality of the service you received.
Also, here are some tips about tipping in Romania:
- Always offer tips in Romanian currency – lei. If you only have another popular currency, such as the euro, it’s acceptable to tip. Consider leaving a bigger tip for the waiter’s currency exchange hassle. If you insist on offering tips in other currencies, such as the euro or dollar don’t offer coins. Exchange offices do not typically exchange coins.
- Don’t offer coins as tips. If you receive change in coins at a store, you can leave them on the counter as they have low value. Have some lei prepared for tipping in Romania for services where you can’t pay by card.
- To prepare for tipping in Romania, have some 5 and 10 lei banknotes on hand. 5 lei is around 1 euro.
- “Thank you” is the secret code that the transaction is closed. Handing the money to the waiter while saying “thank you” (mulțumesc or merci) implies you don’t anticipate receiving any change. Do not be shy about asking for change if you want it.
- The Romanian word for tip is bacșis [/ˈbækʃiːs/] – pronounced bahk-seesh
- Only pay the tip if you are happy with the service you received.
What services should you tip in Romania, and how much?
Restaurant (and all kinds of sit-down eateries) – around 10% – 15% tip
It’s common to leave a tip of 10-15% of the total bill in a restaurant. In some places, a service fee or “taxa de serviciu” may be included in the bill. In this case, you don’t need to leave an additional tip. Of course, if you prefer to add some extra tips, you are welcome to do so.
In Romania, tipping is not typically expected in fast-food restaurants.
Taxi tips in Romania – again, around 10% – 15% tips
When taking a taxi, ensure you are charged a fair rate. Some taxi drivers may try to overcharge tourists. If you are happy with the service you received from your driver, you can choose to leave a tip of 10-15% of the total price. It’s helpful to have small denominations of cash on hand, as some drivers may claim they don’t have change for larger bills. Keep in mind that they only accept payment in cash.
You can tip your ridesharing driver easily through the app after the ride ends. Many ridesharing services offer the option to give 2, 3, or 5 lei, or to enter a custom tip amount.
Bars & coffee shops – leaving the change is enough
No need to tip if you order drinks at the bar or serve yourself. If you receive a small change from your purchase, it’s common to give it as a tip. You can do this by leaving the money on the counter or placing it in a tips jar if one is provided.
Beauty salons & SPA – 15% – 20% tips
If you are satisfied with your beauty services, it’s customary to offer a tip for the professionals who served you. You can do this by handing them a cash tip at the end of your appointment. It’s also common to individually tip each of the beauty professionals who provided you with services.
Similarly, you can tip massage therapists after they finish the massage. By the way, you’ll be paying two times: once the tip for the professional, and second the price for the service at the reception desk.
How much do you tip for a tour guide in Romania? – also 10%
The standard tip for a tour guide in Romania is typically 10% of the tour cost. Of course, you can tip more or less based on your satisfaction with the service. When on a tour with no set price, operating on a “pay what you like” basis, giving a tip is crucial. This may be the only income your guide receives. A good guideline for tipping on a free tour is to leave an amount of around 50 lei per person.
Tipping in Romania for hotel housekeeping – you need a lot of 5 and 10 lei bills
For hotel housekeeping, it’s common to leave a daily tip of 5-10 lei. It’s important to tip daily rather than giving a large amount at the end of your stay, as the housekeeper who cleans your room on one day may not be the same one the following day. Consider leaving additional lei as a tip when travelling with children or pets to express appreciation for the extra effort.
In addition to tipping the housekeeper, it’s also a good idea to tip the bellhop if you use their services to transport your luggage. A tip of 5 lei per piece of luggage is a way to express your gratitude for their assistance.
While it’s not expected to tip a hotel concierge, they will likely appreciate a 20-30 lei at the end of your stay if you utilized their services and presented them with any logistical challenges during your visit.
Tipping at the car wash – 5 lei is sufficient
At the car wash, a tip of 5-10 lei may be sufficient in the summer. Consider tipping at least 10 lei when your car is very dirty or the weather is cold to appreciate the extra cleaning effort.
How much to tip for the delivery person? – at least 5 lei
It’s common to tip the delivery person when you order food or goods. The tip is usually around 10% of the order total or at least 5 lei. If the weather is adverse or the package is heavy, it may be appropriate to tip at least 10 lei.
If you place your order through a third-party app, you can tip through the app. You can only pay the tip in the app before receiving the delivery. If you are unhappy with the delivery, you can contact the app’s customer support to request a refund for the tip.
How to tip in a Romanian venue? What does the law say?
Since January 2023, businesses must give customers a preliminary bill. This bill has sections from 0 to 15% tips. Additionally, the preliminary bill features a separate section allowing customers to manually input their desired tip amount.
As this law is relatively new, there have been some challenges. To simplify the process, if you opt to pay by card, inform the staff when requesting the bill about your card preference and the desired tip. The waiter will then bring the bill with the tip already included along with the POS machine for payment.
However, there are instances where confusion arises, such as restaurants including tips on the bill without prior consent. This approach is legal only when clearly communicated as a “Service Charge” beforehand. If a restaurant presents a final bill with tips already included, customers have the right to request a revised bill.
Few explanations about tipping in Romania
Romanians are known for being generous tippers despite being among the poorest people in the European Union. This may be true partially because many people who work in the service industry, such as waiters, are paid minimum wage, which is often not enough to live on. As a result, these workers rely on tips to supplement their income.
In addition, the industry’s low wages and high turnover rates can pose challenges for owners in recruiting and keeping staff. As a result, staff may not always be well trained or motivated, which can affect the quality of service.
Indeed, some waiters may expect to be tipped simply because it’s the norm. However, it’s acceptable not to tip if the service falls short of expectations or if you’re not impressed.
It’s worth considering these economic and social factors when deciding whether or not to leave a tip in Romania. While tipping is not mandatory, it can make someone’s day.