Tipping in Norway can feel confusing if you are used to countries where gratuities are part of the price. Norway has high wages and strong worker protections, and service charges are already included in the bill. That means tipping is not required in most situations. You will still see card terminals asking whether you want to add a tip, which can make visitors wonder what is expected.
Short answer: Tipping in Norway is optional. If you had good service at a sit-down restaurant, adding about 5 to 10 percent is appreciated but not expected. In cafes, bars, taxis, and most casual places, rounding up or leaving a few kroner is perfectly polite. You will never offend anyone by choosing no tip on the card machine.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the etiquette, when it makes sense to tip, and how much locals actually leave.
How Tipping Works In Norway
Norway builds service into prices. Staff are paid a proper wage, and the VAT you see on your receipt is already part of what you owe. There is no separate service charge added at the end of the bill in ordinary restaurants. Because of that, Norwegians treat tipping as a small thank-you for standout service rather than an obligation.
You will notice card terminals presenting suggested percentages. This is partly because the terminals arrive preconfigured like that from the payment provider. Choosing “0” or “no tip” is normal and accepted, and no one will chase you down the street for it. If service was especially good, feel free to add something, but do it because you want to, not because you feel pressured.
Tipping At Restaurants
In sit-down restaurants with table service, locals occasionally tip. It tends to be modest. For a relaxed lunch or dinner that went smoothly, leaving 5 percent or rounding up to a convenient amount is common. If the server really went the extra mile, up to 10 percent is generous by Norwegian standards. Anything beyond that is unusual.
Practical tips from the Norwegian side of the table:
- Ask for the card machine when you are ready. The tip prompt appears before you enter your PIN. You can choose a percentage, enter a specific amount in kroner, or select no tip.
- If you want to leave cash, that is fine too. Place it under the bill folder or hand it over when you pay. Cash tips are not expected, so do not stress if you don’t have coins.
- In family restaurants and casual eateries, rounding up is more typical than a percentage.
Bars And Cafes
Bar and cafe culture is straightforward. You usually pay at the counter, and tips are rare. Many Norwegians simply say thanks and move on. If you liked the service or lingered a long time over a table, round up the total or drop 5 to 20 NOK in a jar. Table-service cocktail bars are the exception; there a small tip is appreciated, especially when the bartender gives recommendations or crafts something off menu.
Taxis And Rides
Taxis in Norway are reputable and metered, and the price is the price. Drivers do not expect a tip. Locals often round up to the nearest 10 or 20 NOK, or add 5 percent for extra help with luggage or a late-night ride in tough weather. If you are paying by card in the car, you may see the same percentage prompt. Choosing no tip is normal. Airport transfers booked at a fixed price follow the same logic.
Hotels And Accommodation
You do not need to tip at hotels. Front desk staff, breakfast attendants, and housekeeping are paid a fair wage. If a porter helps you with heavy bags or a concierge spends time securing a hard-to-get table for you, a small cash thank-you is a thoughtful gesture, typically 20 to 50 NOK. For longer stays, some guests leave a similar amount for housekeeping at the end, but again, this is optional.
In rental cabins and apartments, tipping does not apply. Make sure you follow the cleaning rules, recycling instructions, and check-out times, which Norwegians care about more than gratuities.
Hairdressers, Spas, And Personal Services
At salons and spas, tipping is uncommon. If your stylist rescued a bad hair day or your therapist delivered the best massage you’ve had in ages, adding 5 to 10 percent is a nice way to show appreciation. Otherwise, a sincere thank you is enough. Many locals will simply pay the listed price.
Tours, Guides, And Activities
Guides do not expect tips, but they are often delighted to receive them. For a short city walk, 20 to 50 NOK per person is a friendly nod. On a half-day or full-day tour where the guide handled logistics, storytelling, and tricky weather, 100 to 200 NOK per adult is generous and common among visitors. For private guiding, some travelers aim for around 10 percent, but a flat amount is easier in practice. If a guide declines, do not push; some companies have policies against accepting cash.
Card Machines And Tip Prompts
Norway is practically cashless, so you will meet the card terminal everywhere. A few things to know:
- Those big percentage buttons are not instructions. They are just options. There is almost always a “no tip” or “0” button.
- If you prefer to tip a fixed amount, choose “own amount” or similar wording and key in the kroner value. It is perfectly fine to type in 20 or 50 NOK instead of a percentage.
- When splitting the bill, servers can run separate payments so each person decides individually.
If the interface confuses you, just ask the server to skip the tip screen. Norwegians value straightforwardness.
When Not To Tip
There are situations where Norwegians never tip:
- Self-service spots, bakeries, and food halls where you order at the counter
- Hotel breakfast buffets that are included with the room
- Fast-casual chains and takeaway windows
- Supermarkets and kiosks no matter how complicated the lottery or parcel pickup feels
If you are unsure, look at how locals behave. If nobody is tipping, that is your cue.
How Much Is Appropriate
If you want a simple cheat sheet, use this as your baseline, adjusting for the kind of place and how the experience felt:
- Restaurants with table service: optional 5 to 10 percent for good to excellent service, or round up
- Cafes and bars: round up or add 5 to 20 NOK; more in cocktail bars with table service
- Taxis: round up or about 5 percent for extra help
- Hotels: not expected; 20 to 50 NOK for special assistance
- Hairdressers and spas: optional 5 to 10 percent for standout results
- Guided tours: 20 to 50 NOK per person for short tours, 100 to 200 NOK for full days, or a modest flat amount
Remember, these are choices, not rules.
Cash Or Card For Tips
Both work. Card is easiest, especially since many businesses operate cashless registers. If you prefer cash, use Norwegian kroner. Foreign currency is not accepted for tips. ATMs are available in city centers, but you rarely need them. For card tips, you will confirm the amount on the terminal before entering your PIN or tapping your card or phone.
Local Etiquette And Small Cultural Clues
Norwegians are reserved about money. We appreciate good service, but we do not make a show of tipping. Keep it low-key and friendly. A simple “takk” goes a long way. If the place is packed and the staff are clearly sprinting during a lunch rush, locals are patient rather than punitive. We do not use tipping to punish a busy shift.
If something was genuinely off, Norwegians tend to give clear, calm feedback in the moment and let the business make it right, rather than adjusting the tip percent. If the experience was great, a small tip is a pleasant surprise, never an obligation.
Common Pitfalls To Avoid
A few mistakes I see from visitors every season:
- Assuming service is missing from the bill and adding a large percentage by default. It is already included.
- Feeling forced by the terminal prompts. You are not. Choose no tip if that fits the experience.
- Tipping big at counter-service places to compensate for not understanding the system. A smile and “takk” are enough.
- Using foreign currency as a tip. It will not be useful to staff.
- Worrying that no tip is rude. In Norway, no tip is normal.
My Local Tips For Staying Comfortable With It
If you want to match local custom without overthinking it, try this approach:
- Decide before the terminal appears whether you want to tip. If yes, pick a round number in NOK that feels good.
- For restaurants, think in kroner rather than percentages. Adding 50 to 100 NOK on a nice dinner is plenty and easier on the math.
- For tours, carry a few 50-krone notes. They cover most situations neatly.
- If the experience was average, no tip keeps you perfectly in step with Norwegian norms.
In the end, tipping in Norway should feel light. Prices are higher here because the real costs of running a business and paying staff are already baked in. You can relax, enjoy your meal or your tour, and tip only when it feels like an extra thank-you.