What Is the Cover Charge and Why It Creates Confusion
The cover charge (coperto) is one of the most debated items on restaurant bills. Many customers pay it without question; others find it unjust and arbitrary. But the law is clear: the cover charge is legitimate only under certain conditions.
The Legal Rule: Prior Indication Is Mandatory
The cover charge is a price item like any other: it's legitimate and must be paid only if it appears in the menu or price list that the customer consulted before ordering. The Consumer Code requires transparent and prior indication of prices in commercial establishments.
If the cover charge appears only on the bill, without prior indication in the menu, it violates the obligation of price transparency and can be contested.
The Contractual Logic
When you sit down and order, you're concluding a contract with the restaurant. The terms of the contract — including prices — must be known before concluding it. A cost that appears only at the end, on the bill, was not part of the contract you agreed to.
How to Contest the Cover Charge
- At the time of payment, politely point out that the cover charge was not indicated in the menu
- You have the right not to pay that item
- You can file a complaint with the local authority responsible for food service establishment inspections
- Keep the bill as evidence
Cover Charge vs. Service Charge: The Difference
These are two different items: the cover charge is a fixed amount per person (e.g. €2 per head), while the service charge is usually a percentage of the total. Both are legitimate only if indicated in advance in the menu or price list. Neither can appear only on the bill.
Practical Advice
Before ordering, check whether the cover charge is mentioned in the menu. If you find it, it's a legitimate cost you agreed to by sitting down. If it's not there, you have every right to contest it at the time of payment.