Tipping in Croatia: What Are the Rules and Etiquette?

Whether you’re indulging in experiences such as dining out, staying at luxury accommodations, or partaking in thrilling activities, tipping is a culture that has been adopted in destinations around the world and is something that many travelers are familiar with. And when it comes to visiting a new country, we find that many travelers often ask: what’s the tipping etiquette? How frequently should I tip? And exactly how much should I be giving?

These are questions that many of our clients who take part in our Croatia vacations and private tours ask us so that they can best prepare for their trip. It’s certainly worth asking, as Croatia has its own rules and proper tipping etiquette that travelers need to be aware of before they arrive in the country so that they know exactly what is and isn’t expected of them. 

If you’re one of these travelers who is venturing to discover the beautiful landscapes of Croatia for the very first time, we’ve put together this guide to tipping in Croatia to ensure you have all the information that you need before you begin your adventure.

Is Tipping Customary in Croatia?

Tipping is a part of Croatian culture, so when you’re going out and about, you’ll likely see many people tipping workers in the service industry, whether that be in restaurants, onboard cruises, or in taxis. 

People often tip around 10% in the country, and we’d consider this to be an average across the service industry. So, you could consider this as a proper gratuity to pay when tipping in Croatia if you consider your experience to have been great. In some cases, a gratuity is already added to bills in cafes, bars, or restaurants, so just keep an eye out for this whenever you’re paying. 

Is Tipping Expected in Croatia?

Despite many people choosing to give workers in the service industry a tip in Croatia, it is by no means expected of you. But, having said this, tipping in Croatia is certainly highly appreciated by those working in the service industry. So, if you feel that the service you’ve received is particularly notable, you may feel compelled to leave a little something extra on top of your bill to show your gratitude! 

What is the Currency in Croatia? 

The Euro is Croatia’s official currency. As of January 2023, the country joined the Euro area, replacing its original currency known as the Kuna with the Euro. For those of you who have traveled to Europe before, you’ll be familiar with the Euro and its typical exchange rate. If you haven’t traveled to Europe before though, be sure to look up the exchange rate before visiting and we’d advise that you have currency with you when you arrive so that you can pay for anything in cash that you may need to.

What are the Prices Like in Croatia?

Compared to its neighbors including Albania, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina,  prices in Croatia are considered to be more expensive. But, when you compare it to other popular European destinations, it is more affordable for trips. Of course, this is relative to where you will be visiting – if you’ll be stopping off at some of the country’s most popular cities including Dubrovnik and Split, expect to pay more than if you’re visiting its lesser-discovered destinations!

It’s also worth mentioning that credit cards can be used for settling restaurant or hotel bills, or for large souvenir purchases, and you may find you are given the option to add a proper gratuity as part of the credit card transaction.

Tipping Culture in Croatia: What Should I Pay?

Whilst you now know the proper tipping etiquette in Croatia, you may be wondering if and where distinctions lie within the service industry and with different service providers. This is why we’ve detailed the typical rates for a tip in Croatia that you can use as a guideline for different areas of the service industry when visiting the country. 

Tipping in Croatia Restaurants

If you plan on exploring Croatia’s culinary scene by dining out in its many delectable eateries, after you finish your meal you may be wondering exactly how much you should part with in line with the tipping culture in Croatia.

Tipping in Croatia restaurants is fairly settled, as with much of Europe, and leaving a tip of around 10% on top of your bill is considered to be appropriate. Of course, you can choose to part with more or less should you wish depending on your experience, but you’ll find that this is what many people tend to tip in Croatia at restaurants. 

Tipping at Cafes in Croatia

Cafes are a less formal setting for drinking and dining out compared to a restaurant. Thus, tipping in Croatia in these settings isn’t quite as high as it is for restaurants. You simply round up your bill or add roughly 3% to 5% on top of it – whatever you feel most comfortable with!

Tipping at Croatian Bars

Similarly to cafes, tipping in bars in Croatia is often done by rounding up your bill or adding an additional 3% to 5% charge on top of whatever you’ve paid for your beverages and snacks. As always, if you found that the service was particularly impressive, you might want to consider leaving a little more to show how grateful you were for this!

Tipping in Croatia Hotels

Tipping in Croatia hotels is generally not required. However, should you be feeling generous and thankful for the service that the workers in your hotel have provided to make your stay all the more comfortable, you might want to consider leaving a tip. 

If you find yourself in a luxurious enough establishment to provide porters, a small tip of perhaps $3 or £2 is enough to offer these individuals thanks for bringing items up to your room or assisting you with other requests. Similarly, for the maids that clean and service your room or accommodations, you can follow the same practice by offering a few pounds or dollars if you’re pleased with them. 

Should you be visiting your hotel bar or restaurant, if the establishment you’re staying at has one, you’d be advised to follow the same guidance we offered in the individual sections above discussing tipping in Croatia bars and restaurants.

Tipping in Croatia Taxis and Tipping Private Drivers

On your next visit to Croatia, it’s not unlikely that your chosen option for getting around, other than on public transport, will be by taxi. All taxis in Croatia are measured using a meter, much like other destinations across the world. Whilst tipping in Croatia taxis is not expected, please note that it is common practice to round up the fare, which normally involves contributing an additional Euro or two, primarily to avoid the hassle of loose change!

If you want a much more exclusive way of getting to your chosen destination whilst in the country, a private driver may be your preferred option. Because this is a more luxurious method of transportation, you can expect to pay more for a tip than you may in a Croatia taxi. If you want to know roughly how much to tip a private driver, such as those provided on our exclusive private airport transfers before or after our cruises or tours, they may expect a tip of around $10 to $15 per day in service, so bear this in mind.

Tipping a Tour Guide in Croatia

Tour guides in Croatia are among the best in Europe and are key to bringing your itinerary to life. As such, tips for your guides should be strongly considered, especially as they provide in-depth local knowledge and insight that you otherwise may not have gained if you were traveling around the country by yourself. 

If you’re enjoying a private guide service – as you will on our private bespoke tours – a tip of around $20 to $30 per day of service is about appropriate. Of course, scale this up if you feel your guide has been exceptional and deserves the additional gratuity! 

If you’re joining a shared group tour – such as a walking tour of Dubrovnik or a day trip to Krka or Plitvice National Parks – all parties in the group are welcome to chip in around $5 to $10 each, which will create an overall contribution from your tour to the tour guide.

Tipping in Croatia Onboard Cruises

When onboard any cruise in Croatia, including our deluxe small ship cruises, gratuities are not included in the price and are an optional and voluntary way of showing satisfaction for the excellent service of the crew and Cruise Director over the course of your water-based trip.

As a guideline, if you were joining our best-selling Deluxe Balcony cruises from Split to Dubrovnik, we would suggest a total amount equivalent to €50 per person for the Cruise Director and €70 per person for the crew at the end of the cruise for this 7-night luxury adventure. 

Summary

Whilst tipping in Croatia is not mandatory by any means, it goes a long way if you show your appreciation to service industry providers by offering a tip, as a way of thanking them for their contributions to making your trip all the more memorable. We hope this guide has offered you the insight you need into the tipping culture in Croatia as well as clear guidelines to follow when it comes to leaving tips with professionals in the service industry. 

If you’re looking for travel ideas for your next trip to Croatia, check out our recommended bespoke tours and luxury small-ship cruises which feature destinations all across this charming country. Or, if you want to speak to an expert to start planning your dream trip to Croatia, contact our specialists today, and our team will be on hand to make your dream a reality!