How to tip around the world: Denmark
Denmark is known and loved around the world for lots of things: pastries, Lego and ‘hygge’, to name a few.
Regularly ranked one of the happiest countries in the world, there’s loads to see and do here, from sightseeing in Copenhagen to hiking your way around the natural wonders of the different islands.
But while you’re exploring this awesome country, there’ll come a time when you’ll need to know about the etiquette around tipping in Denmark, whether you’re paying for a meal, taxi, or a drink at the bar.
To help you figure it out, we’ve created a series of guides for tipping in different countries. Read on to find out where, when, and how to tip in Denmark.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, remember to check current travel restrictions before booking travel.
Tipping tips
It’s perfectly okay not to tip in Denmark, as restaurant staff, cab drivers, porters, bartenders, and everyone else in the service industry are paid a standard wage, which means they don’t have to rely on tips as a main source of income. However, if you’re impressed with the service and want to show your appreciation, below you’ll see how much gratuity to leave.
Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
Restaurants
There’s no hard and fast rule about how much tip to give to the staff in Danish restaurants. By law, they include a service charge on the bill, so you’re not expected to tip. But, if you decide your waiter deserves a bit extra, you won’t hear any complaints!
Tip up to 10% of the bill depending on how good the service was.
Bear in mind, tips may be split among the restaurant staff, so if you want your tip to go to your specific server, hand it to them personally in cash.
Bars and pubs
There’s no need to tip the bartender for a glass of wine or beer. But it’s polite to tip if your drink order is a little more complicated i.e. a fruity cocktail made with ‘akvavit’ – yum!
Tip: Like the sound of that Danish delight? Read about what else to try in Denmark with our top 10 weird Nordic foods you’ve probably never heard of.
Hotels
Hotel staff don’t expect tips, but you can offer one if you receive exceptional service. As a rule:
- If the porter carries your bags, tip anywhere between 10 and 20 DKK
- For a totally spotless stay, leave 10-20 DKK per night for housekeeping
- If the hotel concierge secures you reservations to an exclusive restaurant (or something equally impressive and thoughtful), tip 10-20 DKK
Taxi drivers
How do you tip in Danish taxis? Officially, you don’t have to. But Danish taxi etiquette calls for rounding up your fare to the nearest even amount.
Tour guides
The cost of the guide is included in the price of tours in Denmark. But if you feel inclined to show your gratitude, there’s no set starting point for the amount of tip you should leave.
Should you pay by cash or card?
In most places, you can leave a tip on your credit card, but it’s better (and the tip is more likely to go to the right person) if you hand it over in cash.