Do all restaurants in Budapest have a 15% surcharge, or only full-service restaurants?
Posted by TeddyKisss@reddit | budapest | View on Reddit | 24 comments
Or is it up to the restaurant? Also, is it always 5% VAT?
thejesusgod@reddit
It's essentially a disguised price increase. "Service fees" do not have to be shared with staff, which is why they are taxable at the same rate as the product (either 5% or 27%).
The unfortunate part is that even if they are given to staff, most of it is going to the government. (12% service fee on 100.000 HUF (12.000 HUF) with 5% VAT, 571 goes to the government for VAT. Then if the rest (11.429) is paid to staff, about 1/3 of that is payroll taxes, leaving the staff with 7.543 (7.5% of the bill). Obviously, if anything at 27% is included, the amount staff would get is even lower.
I run a pub, and we don't charge service fees. We give the option for voluntary tips, which go completely to the staff. Since they go completely to the staff and not to the company, there is no VAT or payroll taxes assessed on them. (Unlike places like the US, voluntary tips directly to service staff are not subject to taxes.) And our tips average around 5-10% (usually right around 7%), so we have the same amount or more going to staff as if there were a mandatory service fee, without forcing anything on guests.
loylos@reddit
It's up to the restaurant, it should be mentioned on the menu. Food has 5% VAT, drinks have 27% unless non-alcoholic and made in-house (coffee, lemonades, teas etc). Takeout and delivery should always be 27%
kolbaszcica@reddit
I think he is not asking for taxes but szervizdij
loylos@reddit
The VAT of the szervízdíj matches the items VAT category afaik
TeddyKisss@reddit (OP)
Ahh…so it’s actually 22% cheaper to dine in?
loylos@reddit
No, the restaurant makes more on it.
fotren@reddit
Dude, I walked in a random, -shitty- restaurant this weekend. I sat outside after telling them I’m outside for 20 minute, then ordered inside my drink, carried out, ordered my food by walking in again. Thankfully they served it instead of telling me when it was ready to grab, but also had to pay inside without them ever coming out. 10% service fee, and I was like, is it for me?
alexxanddra@reddit
Elvileg ha elégedetlen vagy, szólhatsz hogy nem fizeted ki a szervízdíjat.
Technical-Hall-6234@reddit
all michelin star restaurants have 15%, one even 17.5% which is ridiculous
Technical-Hall-6234@reddit
on top of a set menu of 200euro without wine pairing
cumgod8@reddit
Sounds like you found a tourist trap. Almost no restaurants in Budapest apply 15% surcharge, some do but it's 5-10% at worst, and then you aren't expected to tip.
cvzero@reddit
Most city center restaurants and cafes do - at least ones I have seen.
cvzero@reddit
Before covid it was good manners to tip about 10%.
After covid they added this mandatory 15% service charge - and almost all restaurants do it! It's annoying and it's even more than the tip used to be.
Dunadan94@reddit
It is totally random. However, the surcharge replaces the tip. No tip expected if there is a service fee, a smaller tip is customary (but not as much as in the US for example), where there is no service fee. (But only at places with waiters, not where you order at the counter)
Mastermind6425@reddit
We ate at a sushi restaurant with a 15% service fee, and the waiter let out a loud disappointed "oh..." when we chose 0% for the tip xD
So I wouldn't say it applies all the time that no tip is expected if there is a service fee
fastingallstar@reddit
I went out to eat yesterday at a place with a service fee and the waiter didn't even ask if I wanted to tip. Maybe he thought you were a walking ATM machine for some reason.
fakopancs@reddit
If there is a service fee it should be written on the menu. It is not up to the waiter.
bbcomment@reddit
Absolutely a thing they target foreigners with
Dunadan94@reddit
I'm almost totally sure that it was because you were foreigners and he hoped for some extra :D
Martiniusz@reddit
No, some have. If they have the service fee, don't tip.
igenigen@reddit
Yesterday, the government capped the service fee to 12%. When that becomes law is another question.
A majority of places will be in the range of 10% to 12%. Anything higher is usually a higher end place or a tourist trap.
The VAT situation has already been described for you.
supreme_harmony@reddit
VAT is for their accountant to handle, nothing you should be concerned about. VAT rules can get complicated depending on your exact order. They should give you a bill where VAT is included and calculated correctly.
Tips and service charges are not officially mandated, it is what you and the restaurant agree upon. It is customary to give a 10% tip in Hungary in restaurants, but this is not on the bill by default and is up to the customer to pay if they choose so.
Some restaurants may include a service charge, which they can set to any percentage they like, but they need to communicate it to you before you order. Usually it is somewhere in fine print on the menu.
Economy_Fan_8808@reddit
VAT should not be your concern, the price on the menu must already include it. If they are asking for additional VAT on the bill, it's illegal.
Pr3no@reddit
I usually see 10%, 12% and 15%, but yeah its up to the restaurant, 15% is definitely on the higher end. And don’t tip, this service fee is more than enough.