Tipping In Bulgaria - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - 10% If Satisfied
🍹 Bar - 10-15% If Satisfied
☕️ Café - Not Expected
🚕 Taxi - Round Up To Nearest лв1-3
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - лв1-2/Bag
🛏️ Housekeeping - Optional лв1-5/Night
📸 Paid Tour Guide - 10-15% If Satisfied
🚶 Free Tour Guide - лв5-10pp
You tip for good service in Bulgaria but it’s only expected in a few different scenarios (read the full guide below). Due to the typically low wages, you should think carefully before skipping the tip, even if you’re dissatisfied with the service.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for Bulgaria using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Café Taxis, Hotels etc.
Bulgaria Tip Calculator
Good Tip For Bulgaria
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Tipping in Restaurants
Tip 10% if you’re satisfied and up to 15% if you’re highly satisfied. If you’re unsatisfied, tip around 5%. Don’t tip nothing as that’s considered rude and will just reflect badly on you.
Service charges are rare but you should check they haven’t been included as extra tips won’t be required in that case. Don’t confuse service fees with VAT (tax). Since bills tend to be written in Bulgarian Cyrillic, they can be hard to decipher. If in doubt, just ask.
Bear in mind that in Bulgaria you tend to get more abrupt/less friendly service than you might be used to. They view their role is to take your order, bring you food, be efficient and take payment.
This to-the-point service can be frustrating, especially if you’re not used to it but don’t let it affect your tip because that’s just part of the service culture here.
Tipping in Bars & Nightclubs
Stick to restaurant etiquette in Bulgarian bars and nightclubs. 10-15% as standard and no less than 5%.
Tipping in Cafés
Tips aren’t expected if you’re ordering over the counter but baristas will appreciate it if you leave your cash change in the tip jar (if there is one).
If there’s table service stick to the 10% rule, especially if it’s a more upmarket establishment. Alternatively, just round up to the nearest Lev or two.
Tipping Taxi & Rideshare Drivers
Whether it’s from the airport or around town, it’s common to round up your taxi or rideshare fare to the nearest 1-3 Leva for good, safe service. Even though it’s expected, drivers will appreciate it.
Tip on the higher end if they’ve carried your luggage, provided you with a clean car, safe ride and/or given you local tips.
Be aware of fake taxis that charge more than the typical market rate. Make sure the meter’s running and keep an eye on it during your trip. In any case, it’s best to stick to well-known/recommended taxi or rideshare companies.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Tip your hotel porter 1-2 Leva per bag.
Tipping Housekeeping
Tipping your housekeeper isn’t essential but it is polite (hotel service charges are a rarity).
If you do want to leave a tip, consider 1-2 Leva per night for a budget hotel or 4-5 Leva per night if the hotel’s more upmarket.
Tip in cash with a note and try to tip daily rather than once at the end in case you get different housekeepers throughout your stay.
Tipping Paid & Free Tour Guides
For a paid tour, tip your guide 10% if you’re satisfied (15% if there’s a driver as they’ll usually split the tip). Even if you’re unsatisfied, don’t tip less than 5%.
For a free tour where the guide relies on tips as a primary source of income, tip 5-10 Leva per person depending on the length of the tour and your level of satisfaction.
In either case, don’t tip with small coins as that can risk insult.
Which Currency To Use
The Bulgarian Lev (Plural: Leva | Symbol: лв) is the official currency of Bulgaria and that’s what you’ll need to use to pay and tip during your trip. Some hotels may accept Euros but don’t rely on that to be the case.
Whilst both cash and cards are accepted in most establishments, cash is king in Bulgaria, even in the capital of Sofia. Minimum transaction amounts for card payments are common.
Even if you can tip by card, it’s always better to tip in cash to ensure it goes directly to the server and not their employer. Thankfully, there are plenty of ATMs so cash is east to obtain.
"Честит път!" (Chestit pat!) - Have a nice trip! 🇧🇬🏰🌹🏞️
