The tip option that now commonly appears at electronic check‑outs in many shops and restaurants is met with skepticism in Germany. A survey conducted by the IT‑industry association Bitkom found that only 29 % of respondents consider the suggested tip amounts practical. Older participants are particularly doubtful; among people over 65 % only 22 % approve, well below the overall average.
Overall, 64 % of Germans say that the suggested tips cause them to leave more money than originally intended, and 68 % view it as inappropriate to have card terminals display only tip amounts that start at 10 %. Views on digital tipping are divided: a narrow majority-55 %-feel that digital tipping should be a standard option, whereas only 51 % of those aged 65 and older share that sentiment.
Trust in the system is low. Just 52 % of respondents believe that a digital tip will reach the staff in full. Trust varies by age group: 63 % of respondents aged 16 to 29 trust the process, while those aged 50 to 64 trust it 47 % of the time, and people over 65 trust it 48 %.
The Bitkom Research survey interviewed 1,004 German residents aged 16 and older by phone. The survey was conducted during the 9th to 12th calendar weeks of 2026.
