Tipping in Finland: What Travelers Need to Know

Wondering how much to tip when traveling around Finland? You are lucky in Finland – there is no need to tip at all.

Let’s dive into Finland’s tipping culture (or lack thereof).

Understanding Tipping in Finland

In Finland, tipping is an anomaly rather than a norm. Here’s what you need to know:

• Prices Are All-Inclusive: The Finnish pricing system is straightforward. The price tag includes everything – service, taxes, and the actual cost. The amount displayed is what you pay.
• Salaries Over Tips: Finnish service staff are paid a monthly or hourly wage, agreed upon by labor and employer unions. This means they don’t rely on tips to make a living.

Restaurants and Cafes: To Tip or Not to Tip?

• Voluntary, Not Mandatory: Tipping in restaurants and cafes is not expected but appreciated if you wish to acknowledge exceptional service.
• How to Tip: If you choose to tip, rounding up the bill or adding about 10% is customary. Some places, typically cafes, have a tipping jar at the counter, where you can place a euro or two.

Tipping in Bars?

There’s no shame in just paying the amount listed on the bill.

You’re already paying a lot for the drinks in Finland; there’s no need to tip.

Tipping on tours and guided activities

One time when you might want to consider tipping in Finland is on a guided tour.

If you participate in a free guided walking tour, it is customary to tip the guide if you are satisfied with the experience.

But if you’ve booked a tour in advance and paid a flat fee, there’s typically no need to tip.

Tipping in Other Services

• A Uniform Approach: This no-tip culture extends to other services like hairdressers, taxi drivers, and barbers. They won’t expect anything more than the stated price.
• Exceptions: Delivery workers or low-income service employees might appreciate a tip, but again, it’s not an expectation.

Tipping Etiquette: When and How

• Cash or Card: You can tip in cash or by card. Some modern card terminals prompt you to add a tip, making it easy to do so.
• No Pressure: Remember, there’s no obligation to tip. It’s entirely up to you. Even if the card terminal asks for the tip, you can bypass it.

Tipping At a Hotel in Finland?

There’s no need to pay tips to the cleaning staff or concierge.

It is not expected to tip for special services, but it is still appreciated and a matter of personal preference.

Is Tipping Impolite in Finland?

Not at all! While tipping is not customary, it’s not considered impolite. It’s simply not part of the regular service transaction for Finns.

Do Locals Tip in Finland?

No. In everyday life, no one tips. Finland doesn’t have a tipping culture, so Finns do not tip.

Of course, some do if they really like the service, typically max 10%.

Don’t feel pressured to tip when paying the bill. If you pay with cash, you can wait for change, even if it’s small. But if you like the service, you can tip, typically 10%.

Card Terminal Asks for a Tip? What to Do?

Nowadays, as cash is no longer used, some restaurants have the option of entering a tip into the card terminal when paying the bill.

It is most common in places with a lot of tourists.

You can tip if you want, but there’s no pressure. No one will judge you if you don’t tip. You can press the “No Tip” button, and that’s it.

If you come from a country with a heavy tipping culture, it might feel uncomfortable not to tip when the prompt appears. If you don’t want to skip it, you can safely add a 5-10% tip, which is totally acceptable.

The Finnish Pricing System: Simple and Straightforward

• One Price Policy: In Finland, the displayed price is what you pay. There are no hidden costs or surprises.
• Currency Info: The Euro (€) is the currency in Finland. Prices might be slightly higher compared to Southern and Central Europe but generally lower than in neighboring Sweden and Norway.

Paying with Foreign Currency in Helsinki

• Limited Acceptance: In Helsinki’s center, only a few places accept foreign currencies like dollars or pounds. It’s best to use credit cards or euros for a hassle-free experience.

Do You Need Cash in Helsinki or in Finland?

In Helsinki and Finland, you can get by without using cash.

Card payments are preferred almost everywhere, but cash is still widely accepted as a form of payment.

Carrying some euros is still a good idea, as there might be local markets, etc, where digital payments might not be accepted or preferred.

What Credit Cards Are Accepted in Finland?

Visa and MasterCard are the most common ones here.

In Helsinki, some places accept AMEX, but only a little outside of Helsinki.

I don’t recommend relying only on AMEX, as it is not as widely used as Visa or MasterCard.

Many people prefer phone payment systems nowadays.

Are ATMs reliable?

Reliable ATMs are easily accessible throughout the country. Just look for the sign OTTO.

However, it can be difficult to find ATMs in some areas as the number of machines has decreased due to locals’ reduced cash usage.

The Bottom Line

Tipping in Finland is more of a personal choice than a social obligation.

Enjoy the clarity of all-inclusive pricing; if in doubt, pay as the price tag suggests.

If you want to tip, there are no rules on how much, but 5-10% is generally ok.