ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Italian Restaurants Add Hidden 'Voluntary' Tips to Bills

other · 2026-08-05

A new practice in Italy sees restaurants adding a 'voluntary contribution' to bills without clear consent, sparking controversy. Influencer Carlotta Roncarà exposed a case at a Forte dei Marmi hotel restaurant where a 10% charge (€50 on a €500 bill) was added as 'Contributo volontario' without her knowledge. The hotel director claimed it was a system adopted to comply with new electronic tip regulations and ensure fair staff distribution, but Roncarà insisted she was never asked. Consumer lawyer Massimiliano Dona highlighted similar cases, including a Rome bar adding a 15% 'discretionary appreciation service' charge. Italian law requires explicit consumer consent for any charge, making such 'silent assent' schemes illegal. The 2023 budget law introduced a tracked tipping system with 5% taxation, but critics argue the wording on bills is misleading. Fipe, the Italian public establishments federation, recommends POS systems that let customers choose tip percentages, but adoption remains low.

Key facts

  • Carlotta Roncarà found a 10% 'voluntary contribution' (€50 on €500) added to her bill at a Forte dei Marmi hotel restaurant.
  • The hotel director said the system was adopted over a year ago to comply with new electronic tip regulations and ensure fair staff distribution.
  • Massimiliano Dona showed a Rome bar adding a 15% 'discretionary appreciation service' charge.
  • Italian consumer law prohibits charging consumers without explicit consent; 'silent assent' schemes are illegal.
  • Italy's 2023 budget law introduced a tracked tipping system with 5% taxation.
  • Fipe recommends POS systems that let customers choose tip percentages, but few restaurants have adopted them.
  • The practice is spreading in venues frequented by foreign tourists or managed by foreigners.
  • Dona notes an increase in ancillary costs like €2 for sea view or €0.50 for lemon slices.

Entities

Artists

  • Carlotta Roncarà
  • Massimiliano Dona

Institutions

  • Fipe
  • La Stampa
  • Il Post

Locations

  • Forte dei Marmi
  • Rome
  • Italy

Sources