Understanding Your Austrian Restaurant Bill: A Guide

When it comes to dining out in Austria, it's good to know what to expect when the bill arrives. In German, you can ask for the bill by saying die Rechnung, bitte or zahlen, bitte. In Austria, the standard rate of VAT (Mehrwertsteur or MWSt) is 20%, with a reduced rate of 10% for drinks, books, plants, and art. On a restaurant bill, you may see Gesamt, which means total, indicating the final amount due. It's worth noting that in Austrian restaurants, it's customary to round up the bill as a tip for the waiting staff, but this is not obligatory.

Tipping is usually done by rounding up the final figure

Tipping in Austrian restaurants is usually done by rounding up the final figure on the bill. For example, if your bill comes to €33.50, you could simply say "fünfunddreissig" when paying, indicating that you are paying €35 and leaving a €1.50 tip. This is the most common way of tipping in Austria, and it is appreciated by waiting staff, although there is no obligation to do so.

The standard rate of VAT (Mehrwertsteur or MWSt) in Austria is 20%, with a reduced rate of 10% for drinks, books, plants, and art. This is included in the prices on the menu, so the total amount on your bill (indicated by the word "Gesamt") is the amount you need to pay, including tax.

When paying with a credit card, you can add a small tip manually on the slip, but it is more common to give an extra euro or two directly to the waiting staff as a tip. It is difficult to tip an individual waiter or waitress, as they are generally obliged to contribute their tips to a communal pot to be shared among all the staff. If you wish to reward a particular member of staff, the best thing to do is to mention your satisfaction with their service to the head waiter or manager, naming the individual involved.

VAT is 10% for drinks and 20% for food items

When you receive a restaurant bill in Austria, you may notice multiple VAT rates applied to your bill. This is because the standard rate of VAT (Mehrwertsteur or MWSt) is 20%, with a reduced rate of 10% for drinks.

The Federal Ministry of Finance has clarified that the applicability of the reduced 5% VAT rate depends on whether a trade license for the hotel and catering industry is required for the specific activity. For example, the 5% VAT rate applies to the delivery and collection of food and to "open drinks", which are drinks that are typically opened directly by the restaurateur or the customer when being purchased and consumed (e.g. at a sausage stand or in a canteen). If sealed drinks are delivered together with food, they are subject to the 20% VAT rate.

VAT compliance rules are set by the EU, but Austria is free to set its standard VAT rate and levy reduced VAT rates on a limited range of goods for economic reasons. Businesses registered in Austria must use these rates when supplying goods and services and will be held liable for any unbilled VAT.

The total bill amount is indicated by Gesamt

When reviewing a restaurant bill in Austria, you may come across the word "Gesamt". This indicates the total amount due, including any taxes and service charges. "Gesamt" is derived from German and means "total".

In Austria, the standard rate of VAT (Value-Added Tax), or "Mehrwertsteur" in German, is 20%. However, a reduced rate of 10% VAT is applied to certain goods and services, such as drinks. Taxes and service charges may be listed separately on the bill, or they may be included in the prices of the menu items.

It is customary to leave a tip when dining at a restaurant in Austria. The tip amount is usually determined by rounding up the total bill to the nearest euro or two. This can be done by simply stating the rounded-up amount when paying or by manually adding a small tip on the credit card slip. Alternatively, you can give the waiting staff an extra euro or two as a token of appreciation.

Understanding the components of a restaurant bill is essential when dining in a foreign country. By familiarising yourself with the format and common charges, you can confidently review the bill, calculate the appropriate tip, and ensure that you are paying the correct amount.

MwSt on the bill refers to VAT

When you receive a restaurant bill in Austria, you may see the abbreviation "MwSt" listed among the items. This stands for "Mehrwertsteuer", which is the German word for VAT (value-added tax). VAT is a tax levied on the supply of goods and services, and in Austria, it is typically charged at a standard rate of 20%. However, certain goods and services are taxed at a reduced rate of 10%, such as food, books, plants, and art.

The inclusion of MwSt on your restaurant bill in Austria indicates that you are being charged VAT on the items you have consumed. The VAT rate applied to each item may vary, resulting in multiple lines on your bill. For example, drinks may be taxed at 20% MwSt, while food items are taxed at the reduced rate of 10%.

It is important to note that the prices listed on menus in Austrian restaurants usually include tax. So, when reviewing your bill, you may notice that the total amount due (often indicated by the word "Gesamt") is the same as the initial sum of your consumed items, with the VAT breakdown listed separately.

When paying your bill, it is customary to round up to the nearest euro or two as a tip for the waiting staff. This is done at your discretion and is not mandatory. If you are paying with a credit card, you can add a small tip manually on the slip or give the extra amount directly to the server.

You can ask for a tax receipt to see the taxes

In Austria, the standard rate of VAT (Mehrwertsteur or MWSt) is 20%, with a reduced rate of 10% for food, books, plants, and art. The price of items on the menu already includes tax. On your bill, look for the abbreviation MwSt to identify the VAT amount.

If you want to see a detailed breakdown of the taxes on your restaurant bill, you can ask the restaurant staff for a tax receipt. This is a detailed receipt that outlines the taxes applied to the goods and services you consumed. It is important to note that tax laws and rates may change over time, so it is always a good idea to refer to the latest information available.

When reviewing your tax receipt, you may notice various taxes listed. For example, if you ordered alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or certain energy products like petroleum, these items are subject to excise taxes. Since 2022, a CO2 tax has also been in effect, which further increases the price of petroleum.

Additionally, if you dined in a restaurant located in the city of Vienna, the restaurant's employees' salaries are subject to a municipal tax of 3% on monthly gross wages. This tax is implemented by the city of Vienna and is reflected in the overall pricing of the goods and services you consumed.

By requesting a tax receipt, you can gain a better understanding of the taxes applied to your bill and how they contribute to the overall cost of your dining experience in Austria.

Frequently asked questions