The practice of tipping is quite common in Austria, especially in restaurants, bars and hotels. According to a survey carried out in 2019 by the travel platform TripAdvisor, around 74% of foreign tourists who visit the country leave tips in restaurants, while 68% leave tips in bars.
Although the amount of tips varies depending on the region and establishment, it is common to leave between 5% and 10% of the bill as a tip. In some cases, you can round the value up or leave a fixed value.
The tipping culture in Austria can be beneficial for workers in these establishments. According to a study by the Austrian Institute for Economic Research, around 60% of food service and accommodation workers report receiving tips regularly. Furthermore, the average tip received per month can range from €50 to €200, which can represent a significant part of these workers' income.
Some establishments even encourage the practice of tipping, offering options to add the tip to the bill or leave money in an envelope for the specific worker who provided the service. This can result in more generous tips, encouraging workers to provide exceptional service to their customers.
Another survey carried out in 2017 by the European Union of Service Unions (UNI Europa) showed that workers in establishments that receive tips are more likely to have permanent employment contracts and to receive training and professional development. This suggests that tipping culture can encourage employers to invest in their employees and improve the quality of service provided.
Tipping culture can also have a positive impact on the local economy. According to the Austrian Hotel and Tourism Association, the tourism sector contributes around 15% of Austria's GDP and employs around 780,000 people. By encouraging the provision of high-quality services and the movement of money in the local economy, the practice of tipping can contribute to strengthening the tourism sector and, consequently, the economy as a whole.
In summary, the tipping culture in Austria is a common practice and can be beneficial for food and accommodation service workers. In addition to representing a significant part of these workers' income, the practice of tipping can encourage the provision of high-quality services, improve employment opportunities and contribute to strengthening the local economy, in addition to being tax-free in Austria.
