Last Updated: April 22, 2022

Tipping in Croatia: All You Need To Know

Visiting Croatia and wondering what the tipping etiquette’s like? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this guide has all the information you need on Croatian tipping!

Who should you tip, what’s the customary amount, and how often do the locals tip are just some of the questions answered in this detailed guide. Keep reading to learn more about the good tipping etiquette in the country, and prepare for your upcoming trip to Croatia!

Tipping Etiquette In Croatia

Tip Money

Croatia doesn’t have a big tipping etiquette, at least in terms of the tips that locals leave. It’s an entirely different story if we’re talking about the coastal towns during peak season, but that’s mostly because the foreigners are the ones leaving the tips. 

Locals are more likely to pick up every spare coin they get, so keep that in mind before you start handing out 100 Kuna bills like they’re chump change. They’re not all rude and cheap – the minimum wage in Croatia is some 500 Euros, and a lot of people simply can’t afford to tip everyone they encounter. 

Tipping in Croatia is most common in bars, cafes, and restaurants, but even there it’s not necessary or expected. It’s more so because the servers will remember you and they will be inclined to treat you better when you come again if you left them a nice tip, but no harm done if you didn’t. 

Also, it’s worth noting that in Croatia tipping isn’t very well regulated by laws, and some restaurants will take the tips from the waiters. That’s why it’s best to just hand over the money directly to the person you want to tip if you feel like someone deserves a tip for exceptional service. 

Tour Guides

Should you tip your tour guide in Croatia? You can if you want to, but you’re usually not obligated. If you book a free walking tour of a place, you should know that these guides make a living from the tips, so you should be as generous as possible especially because you’re not paying for the tour in the first place.  

Also, it depends on what kind of tour you’re doing. If it’s a private tour that lasts for several hours, the expected tip amount would be around 10 Euros (some 70 Kunas). But if you’re just going on a public tour, you’re not expected to tip more than 10-20 Kunas per person. 

The same goes for sailing tours, museum tours, and guided tours at national parks. 

Taxis

Taxi Croatia

Taxi drivers in Croatia don’t necessarily expect tips but it is common to just round up the cost of the ride. If the bill for your ride is 58 Kuna, just round it up to 60 Kuna and it’s fine. 

Additional tipping of taxi drivers is really not common in Croatia, and the same goes for Uber drivers. On the other hand, if you feel like your driver went above and beyond for you and you want to tip them because you feel like they deserve it, you are more than welcome to do so. It’s unlikely that they will refuse a tip and they certainly won’t get offended, it’s just that the locals very rarely do it so they might genuinely be surprised. 

Another thing to note here is that you should be careful when riding in cabs in Croatia. There is a chance that the taxi driver might try to overcharge you, so just make sure that you’re not being scammed before you start throwing extra money at them. 

It doesn’t happen very often, but from time to time a local cab driver will try to take advantage of foreigners’ lack of knowledge of the local currency and roads. When you get in a cab, always check that the meter is on and if the driver refuses to turn it on, it’s best to just get out and look for a different vehicle. 

Hotels

Hotel Staff

Tipping at hotels in Croatia is fairly common, but you’re not supposed to tip everyone you encounter. Receptionists at the front desk don’t expect any tips, and you don’t have to tip them. You’re supposed to tip the bellboys, the daily maid service, and the concierge, but only if you are satisfied with the service. A tip of 10-20 Kuna goes a long way, so be sure to keep some spare change on hand. 

Also, it’s common to tip the masseuse if you end up getting a massage at the hotel, and the same goes for bartenders and restaurant staff. It’s impolite to not tip the hotel staff – the general rule is that if you can afford a hotel room, you can afford to tip the person who cleans that room every day 10 Kuna. 

Restaurants

Tip Restaurant

Croatian restaurants almost never have a service fee, so tips are welcome among the servers. However, it’s worth noting that it’s by no means obligatory or necessary and you should leave a tip only if you are entirely satisfied with the service.

It’s customary for the tip to be anywhere between 5% and 15% of the total bill, with 15% being the maximum. Servers aren’t really used to receiving big tips – in fact, most locals will pick up every single coin that’s leftover as change. But those who tip will usually tip according to the quality of the service, and 15% is considered excellent service. 

Also, it’s worth noting that if you do leave a tip at the restaurant, the servers will remember you and treat you better the next time you visit. You might get a table faster than someone else or they might prioritize your meal, but they will definitely remember you regardless of how big a tip you left. And if you leave a big enough tip, you might even make it to the local news – it certainly wouldn’t be the first time! 

Cafes and Bars

Bartender Tipping

Tipping in cafes and bars is somewhat common in Croatia, but the tips locals leave are usually symbolic or a way for them to get rid of any loose change. If you’re just having one cup of coffee, it’s okay not to leave a tip but you can round up the bill if you want. But if you’re with someone else and you’re both having coffee and dessert, it’s common to tip the waiter a couple of Kunas. 

On the other hand, if it’s a night out with a group of people, you should make that tip a bit bigger, especially if you’re satisfied with the service. The tip amount should depend on what you ordered – if you just got a couple of draught beers, it’s fine to leave a smaller tip. But if you had the bartender make you a complicated cocktail, you should include a few extra Kunas. 

Cruise Ships

Tipping the crew on cruise ships is customary everywhere in the world and Croatia is no different. The tip amount depends on the exact service, but in most cases, 10% of the total bill is considered a generous tip. When the bill is very small, it’s customary to just round up to the next round number. 

If you’re feeling generous and you want to leave bigger tips, the crew will really appreciate it. Keep in mind that cabin crew on cruise ships are stuck on those boats for months and they usually work excruciatingly long days for very little money. 

Also, you’re going to be stuck on that cruiser for at least a week – if the crew notices you’re not a tipper on day one, don’t be surprised if they start forgetting your order or take forever to prepare it. They’re always going to treat the (generous) tippers better, so it’s a good idea to be extra generous your first few days on the cruiser.

Salons & Spa

Tip Jar

What about tipping at hair salons, nail salons, and spa centers? Croatians don’t have a big tipping etiquette at these places, but it usually depends on the exact circumstances. If you’re going to an expensive salon and you’re paying big bucks for a haircut, it’s certainly not expected of you to throw additional money at the workers. 

On the other hand, if you’re getting highlights or any other complex hairstyle that takes several hours, it’s customary to tip the hairdresser who did your hair. You should hand the tip to them directly because if you just give it to the person who’s working the cash register, they’ll most likely keep the tip to themselves. 

How much should you tip at salons and spas? It depends, but the general rule is about 10% of the bill. Again, it really depends on what you’re having done, but most locals will just round up the bill if they are feeling generous. 

Delivery Services

If you’ve ordered food directly from a restaurant and they didn’t charge you for delivery, it’s customary to tip the delivery driver, but it’s still by no means necessary. You can tip them 10 Kunas or 10% of the bill, and it’s nice to tip even more if the delivery service was extremely fast or the weather is just horrible. 

When it comes to food delivery apps, it’s worth noting that the most used apps in the country have 2, 5, and 10 Kunas as the default tip amount. The vast majority of Croatians who leave tips will leave a 2 Kuna tip, while some might leave a 5 Kuna tip –  everything higher than that is rarely seen. 

If you’re paying cash on delivery, it’s customary to simply round up to the next number. Maybe you ordered a burger and fries and the bill is 76 Kuna with the delivery – round it up to 80 Kuna and you’re good. 

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

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