In Italy, the culture of paying the bill differs fundamentally from the customs in the D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). To help you feel confident the next time you dine out, I’ve summarized the typical process for you here.

The Standard Payment Process

If you'd like to pay, let the waiter know by saying „The check, please“ ("The bill, please") or, in short, „The Bill“.

The bill: The waiter prints out the bill at the register and usually brings it to your table in a small, foldable leather folder or on a small plate.
Cash payment: Open the envelope, check the amount, and put your money inside. Then close the envelope again.
The change: The waiter takes the folder to the cash register, removes the amount of the bill, and puts the exact change back into the folder. The folder is then returned to your table, closed.
The tip: Only now should you decide how much tip you’d like to leave in the envelope. In Italy, it’s customary to simply leave the envelope with the tip on the table as you leave the restaurant. The waiter usually doesn’t pick up the money until the guests have already left.

Special Considerations for Guests from the North

Many waiters in tourist areas know that guests from German-speaking countries are used to a different way of paying: rounding up the total amount when it is announced.

If you choose this method, it could lead to misunderstandings. For example: If the bill amounts to 47.00 euros and you hand the waiter a 50-euro bill, saying „50 euros“, he will interpret this as a very generous tip. In Italy, a tip of 5 % to 10 % is already considered a high mark of appreciation, since often even a Coperto (cover charge) is listed on the bill.

The waiter will surely respond to such a generous tip with a delighted „Grazie, molto gentile“ (Thank you very much—that's very kind) and acknowledge it with a polite gesture. However, if you'd prefer to pay discreetly and in accordance with local customs, it's best to use the method described above involving the leather folder.