Tipping in Albania: A Simple Guide for Travellers in 2025

Tipping in Albania: A Simple Guide for Travellers in 2025

If you’re planning a trip and wondering about tipping in Albania, the good news is that the rules are simple, friendly, and far less strict than in Western Europe or the United States. Albanians appreciate good service, but tipping is usually flexible and based on your satisfaction. Here’s everything you need to know before you arrive

Round Up The Bill

In case you are satisfied with your service at a restaurant, you can simply round up the bill to the nearest number, but of course, not all people do that. However, it’s a very nice gesture of appreciation to the serving staff, and it will surely make their day. Also, Albanian food served in restaurants in Tirana is one of the best things you’ll get to try, so it would only be fair to leave a tip!

Waiters and the hosting staff are usually very friendly and welcoming in Albania and will always greet you with a smile. If you’re feeling generous, it’s advised to tip around 10% of your total bill and leave the place like a truly satisfied customer!

Always Tip in Cash

Most places don’t accept tips by credit card, so it’s good to have some extra cash with you. You should tip with the local currency, Albanian Lek, and not in Euros or any other currency.

Tipping in cash simply ensures that your tip goes straight to the staff, unlike with a credit card. You can also find yourself in a small bar or cafe that has a small tip jar on the counter, so you can just put a symbolic value in there.

Awarding Hospitality

There are countless elegant and luxurious hotels in Albania, each offering exquisite service and hospitality. Tipping in hotels in Albania is not that common, but you can choose to express your appreciation to the hardworking staff with a symbolic value of around €10, or 1,000 Albanian Lek.

You can tip the housekeepers for their service, the receptionist, or the porters for holding your bags.

Extra Change for a Friendly Driver

Given Albania’s busy streets and usually chaotic cities, you’ll often have to rely on a taxi to get to your destination. The taxi prices aren’t too ridiculous, so there’s always room for a friendly tip. It’s not a very common practice, but if you feel like your driver was friendly and did his job properly, you can reward him!

Usually, people round up the value to the nearest number or add an extra 5-10%. Such a gesture will always be welcomed with a smile and a few words of gratitude.

Tip Your Guide!

If you’re an adventurous and curious tourist, you’ll definitely embark on a few tours during your holidays in Albania, taking you to some of the most beautiful places, like the Albanian Riviera or the amazing northern villages.

During these tours, you’ll be accompanied by passionate and eager tour guides who are willing to show you all the wonders of Albania while providing valuable information on every place you visit. The most appropriate way to show your appreciation can be a tip worth around 10% of the total tour.

Always End Your Visit With a Smile and Nice Words

While tipping is highly appreciated, everyone in Albania is friendly and inviting, always greeting you with a smile. It’s only fair that you do the same with the servers or workers around you, as you can never go wrong with a smile and a few nice words to make their day.

Just a simple “thank you”, or as Albanians would say, “faleminderit”, is more than enough, even if you don’t have the possibility to leave a significant tip!

FAQ about Tipping in Albania!

1. Do locals tip in Albania?

Tipping isn’t a requirement or a fixed culture in Albania, but it’s slowly becoming a trend so that people can properly express their gratitude and appreciation for the services they’re offered.

2. Is it mandatory to tip in Albania?

No, tipping isn’t mandatory in Albania, but it’s a nice gesture that will be appreciated anywhere, from hotels to small bars or restaurants.

3. Do people haggle over prices in Albania?

It’s a very common thing in Albania for customers to haggle over prices, typically at the marketplace or in souvenir shops. You can be walking down the street and see a customer trying to bargain for a lower price, but you have to be pretty good at it to have it your way!