European etiquette can vary considerably from one country to another, and habits that seem perfectly normal at home may be considered unusual or even impolite elsewhere. From removing shoes before entering someone’s home to knowing when to greet someone with a kiss on the cheek, new research highlights the social customs travellers should understand before visiting Europe.
The research, conducted by Preply, an online language learning and tutoring marketplace, examined publicly available information and surveyed 1,600 people across 27 European countries to understand how residents approach everyday social etiquette.
The findings show that there is no single set of rules that applies across Europe. Greeting customs, gift-giving, dining habits and attitudes towards punctuality differ between countries, making it useful for visitors to understand local expectations before arriving.
Interest in etiquette has also grown online. According to the research, as of September 2026, the #etiquette hashtag had accumulated approximately 4.4 billion views on TikTok. Searches for “how to have good etiquette” had also increased by 373% over the previous year, suggesting growing interest in understanding appropriate social behaviour.
One of the most interesting findings concerns how Europeans greet one another. Cheek kissing is often associated with European social culture, particularly among people meeting friends and acquaintances. However, the survey suggests that visitors should not assume everyone is comfortable with this greeting.
In 23 of the 27 countries surveyed, most respondents said they would wait for the other person to initiate two cheek kisses rather than making the first move themselves. Across all participating countries, 85% favoured waiting for the other person to initiate the gesture. In Denmark, Estonia, Sweden and Slovenia, respondents said they would reject cheek kissing altogether.
For travellers, this means a handshake, a simple greeting or waiting to see how the other person approaches the introduction may be a safer choice, particularly when meeting someone for the first time.
Another custom that varies across Europe is whether visitors should remove their shoes when entering someone’s home. In northern European countries, taking off outdoor footwear is widely accepted and often expected. The survey found that most respondents in 24 of the 27 countries would remove their shoes when visiting someone.
Sweden stood out, with all respondents considering shoe removal a requirement when entering another person’s home. However, attitudes were different in southern Europe. Respondents in Spain, Italy and Portugal generally preferred keeping their shoes on indoors.
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The research also identified differences between age groups. Most participants aged 18 to 34 said they routinely removed their shoes when entering someone’s home. Those aged between 35 and 54 were more likely to wait for the host to ask them.
This is a practical consideration for visitors staying with local residents or attending social gatherings. Rather than assuming that shoes should always remain on or come off, travellers can observe what others do or ask their host.
Gift-giving is another area where European customs differ. Although bringing something when visiting a friend or relative is considered good manners in many countries, it is not necessarily an expectation everywhere.
More than half of the survey participants considered bringing a gift to someone’s home standard practice. Around a third said they would only bring something for special occasions.
Finland was the only country where most respondents said they would never routinely bring a gift when visiting a host. Across 17 of the 27 countries, respondents said they would be likely to bring a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. However, in nine countries, including Austria, the United Kingdom and Spain, many considered such gifts more appropriate for special occasions.
Dining etiquette also revealed an interesting point of agreement. Despite differences in food culture and table manners, finishing a meal was generally considered a sign of respect across all 27 countries surveyed.
The research found that 82% of male respondents said they always finished their meals, compared with 75% of women. Some female participants said they were more likely to deliberately leave a small amount of food on their plates, which the study suggested could be connected to their understanding of politeness.
For visitors, the findings highlight the importance of appreciating the effort involved in preparing a meal, particularly when invited into someone’s home.
Punctuality, however, remains a more complicated issue. While arriving on time is generally preferred across Europe, expectations about how early someone should arrive differ between countries and individuals.
According to Preply, online searches for “is it better to be on time, early or late?” increased by 66% globally over the previous year. The survey found that respondents in 23 of the 27 countries preferred arriving on time.
Greece stood out for its strong preference for punctuality. Meanwhile, respondents in Czechia, Germany, Poland and France were more likely to say they preferred arriving early.
There were also differences between men and women. Around 35% of male respondents said they preferred arriving early, while women were more likely to favour arriving at the agreed time. The survey also found that single people were twice as likely to arrive late, while respondents with children reported greater difficulty maintaining strict schedules.
For international travellers, these findings offer a reminder that understanding a destination involves more than knowing its attractions, transport systems and popular restaurants. Everyday interactions, particularly when visiting someone’s home or meeting local residents, can also shape the experience of being in a different country.
European social etiquette is not governed by one universal standard. A greeting that feels natural in one country may be unwelcome in another, while something as ordinary as taking off shoes or arriving five minutes early can carry different expectations depending on where a visitor is travelling.
