Tipping in Cyprus: how much, and when

Tipping is one of those things that changes from country to country, and nobody wants to get it wrong. In Cyprus the answer is simple, and it’s written down. Prices already include service, so whatever you leave is a nicety, not an obligation. British visitors used to a discretionary service charge on the bill will find the system refreshingly clear. Here’s what the rules say, how to read the bill and what I do.

The 10% you’ve already paid

The official Business in Cyprus portal, which tells businesses how to run a restaurant, bar or café, sets out what the catering and entertainment law requires. One rule is that the prices of everything on the price list must include all charges, such as the 10% service charge and VAT. In other words, the price on the menu is what you pay, and service is already in it. Standard VAT in Cyprus is 19%, with reduced rates of 9%, 5% and 3% according to the European Commission, but you never need to work out which one applies to your plate, because that’s in the price too.

So the usual agonising over percentages doesn’t really apply here. I find it a cleaner system than one where service turns up as a separate line at the bottom of the bill, and you never quite know whether it reaches the staff.

How do I know the bill is right?

The same rules make it easy. Each venue submits its price list to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for approval, written in Greek and another foreign language, and must display it outside next to the main entrance. Charging more than that list is prohibited. For every service you should also get a receipt with a serial number, each item and its price. If a place with live music charges extra, it has to say so on the menu alongside the programme.

My habit is to read the menu at the door before sitting down, particularly in the busiest resort strips, and to glance at the receipt before paying. If something’s off, ask politely. More ways to avoid overpaying are in scams in Cyprus.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Limassol before prices climb.

So how much should I leave?

No official source says what’s customary, so I’ll give you my view as just that. For a coffee or a pint at the bar, nothing, or the small change. After lunch or dinner with good service, I round up or leave a few coins. If service has been poor, I leave nothing, because I’ve already paid the 10%. In a small village taverna where I’ve been looked after warmly, I’m happy to leave a little more.

Carry some cash. Not everywhere takes cards, as Spain’s Foreign Office points out, and a tip in coins is the natural way to do it anyway. Cash machines and card fees are covered in currency and payments in Cyprus.

Taxis, guides and hotels

The airport taxi has a fixed fare which, according to the Limassol Tourism Board, already includes luggage and VAT, so there’s nothing to add. On a metered ride, rounding up is a friendly gesture, no more. There’s no rule for guides or excursions; if the day was good, a voluntary tip is welcome as it would be anywhere. Fares are in taxis in Cyprus.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Limassol and choose by the reviews.

A coffee without the meal

Here’s a rule few visitors know. Every venue, whatever its category, must serve coffee, beer or a soft drink from its menu without making you order food. The only exception is restaurants and tavernas between 12:00 and 15:00, and only if they say so clearly on the menu and in the premises. Cypriot coffee, by the way, must always come with a glass of water.

One more that saves money. Restaurants and tavernas must include a set menu, the table d’hôte, for lunch and dinner. For families and groups, ordering it is the easiest way to know the cost up front, and then everyone can decide whether to leave a little on top. To eat well for less, see cheap eats in Cyprus.

A car frees you from timetables: search car hire in Limassol on DiscoverCars and compare companies.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Limassol before prices climb.