Is a service charge included in restaurant bills in Denmark?
Service and tipping in Denmark
Short answer
Yes, service is included in restaurant, hotel and taxi bills in Denmark, and VAT is already in the price on the menu. That means the amount on the menu is generally what you pay. Tipping is optional and there is no fixed etiquette for it. If you got great service and want to tip, 10% of the bill is enough.
Why
- There is no set tipping etiquette in Denmark.
- In a taxi the tip is always included in the fare.
- Prices to consumers must include VAT and fees.
Details
In Copenhagen, tipping is not a tradition.
Tip
Round up or leave a small tip only when the service was really good; nobody expects it.
What may differ
Some places charge a fee for paying with a foreign credit card, so the total can be a little above the menu price.
Common misconception
In Danish restaurants you must add 15–20% tip like in the USA.
What actually happens
Service is already in the bill; a tip is a voluntary extra, and 10% is enough if you want to give one.
People also ask
- What is the VAT rate in Denmark?
- Is Copenhagen expensive for tourists?
- What is most expensive in Denmark compared with the EU?
Sources
- VisitDenmark: TippingChecked at:
- Wonderful Copenhagen (VisitCopenhagen): Basic need-to-know informationChecked at:
- Wonderful Copenhagen (VisitCopenhagen): Is Copenhagen expensive?Checked at:
- VisitDenmark: Travel information and FAQs for visiting DenmarkChecked at:
- Danish Consumer Ombudsman: Prices and savings claimsChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Prices, fees and taxes change, so check the official sources before you plan your budget.
Cost calculatorRelated questions
-
How do you plan a daily budget for sightseeing in Copenhagen?
Start with the fixed costs of the day: in November 2026 a 24-hour City Pass for the metro costs 100 kr., a standard Tivoli entry ticket 230 kr.
-
How do you get a cheap train ticket from Copenhagen to Aarhus?
A good way to pay less for the train from Copenhagen to Aarhus is an Orange ticket, bought on dsb.dk or in the DSB app.
-
How much is the toll on the Great Belt Bridge?
From 1 January 2026 a single trip over the Great Belt Bridge in a car of 3–6 m costs 235 kr.
-
How much is the toll on the Øresund Bridge?
From 14 September 2026 a single trip over the Øresund Bridge in a car up to 6 m costs 470 kr.