European Etiquette When Visiting Someone’s Home: How to Greet, When to Arrive, and What to Do About Shoes

• In 23 of the 27 countries, most respondents said they would prefer to wait for the other person to initiate cheek kisses.
• In 24 countries, most people take off their shoes when visiting someone’s home, while in Spain, Italy and Portugal, people more often prefer to keep them on.
• In 23 countries, most people prefer to arrive exactly on time; attitudes toward gifts and leftover food also vary.

A survey on etiquette abroad

A cheek kiss, taking off your shoes at the door or arriving a few minutes early may seem like small things, but these gestures are interpreted differently across European countries. Preply’s study reveals not one single “European code,” but differences in everyday expectations. The practical takeaway for travelers is simple: before following the routine you’re used to at home, it’s worth seeing how your hosts respond and not assuming your own customs are universal.

Preply, an online platform for learning languages and finding tutors, analyzed publicly available data and surveyed 1,600 residents of 27 European countries. The study’s authors note that some findings run counter to common assumptions about etiquette. They also link interest in the topic to growing attention to social norms: by September 2026, the hashtag #etiquette had garnered around 4.4 billion views on TikTok, while searches for the phrase “good etiquette” had risen by 373% in a year.

These figures point to interest in the topic, but on their own they do not establish why people are increasingly searching for advice or watching these videos. The survey, in turn, describes participants’ stated preferences; it does not guarantee how every person in a country will act in a particular situation. The results are therefore best treated as a guide to considerate behavior, not as a strict set of rules: personal differences can exist even within the same country.

Greetings and shoes: there is no one-size-fits-all approach

The survey does not support the common image of Europe as a place where people typically greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. In 23 of the 27 countries, most participants said they would wait for the other person to suggest exchanging two kisses first. Across the sample, an average of 85% of respondents took this cautious approach. So, it is safer for tourists not to initiate a kiss automatically, but to let the other person indicate what kind of greeting they are comfortable with.

In Denmark, Estonia, Sweden, and Slovenia, survey respondents said they would avoid this kind of greeting. That doesn’t mean everyone in these countries always avoids kissing, but it does highlight how risky it can be to carry a custom from one trip to another. When meeting someone, observing and waiting for the other person to take the initiative can help avoid imposing physical contact that may be unwelcome.

Shoes are a different story: in 24 of the 27 countries, most respondents take them off when visiting someone’s home. This rule is particularly strictly observed in many Northern European countries; in Sweden, every survey respondent said that taking off shoes was expected. However, this is a finding from the Swedish survey, not a universal norm across the continent. If it’s not clear, guests should ask their hosts what they expect rather than assume that wearing shoes indoors is acceptable everywhere.

A gift and an empty plate: different signals of hospitality

In Spain, Italy, and Portugal, people more often choose the opposite option—keeping their shoes on, even indoors. The study’s authors suggest that this difference may be influenced by the warmer climate and the smaller number of carpets in homes, but this is a hypothesis, not a reason established by the survey. Age is also linked to different responses: most participants aged 18–34 say they always take off their shoes, while people aged 35–54 are more likely to wait for the hosts to ask.

When visiting someone, many participants consider a gift appropriate, but not necessarily on every visit. More than half of those surveyed said bringing a gift is common practice, while about a third bring something for their hosts only on special occasions. Finland was the only country where most respondents said they never bring gifts when visiting. For travelers, this is a reminder that the gesture itself may be welcome, but expectations about the occasion vary.

The most common gift choice is a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers: it was the top choice among residents of 17 of the 27 countries. In nine of those countries, including Austria, the UK and Spain, however, such a gift is considered appropriate mainly for a special occasion. This distinction matters not only when choosing a gift, but also for how hospitality itself is understood: a familiar gesture of thoughtfulness may be seen as something for a celebration, rather than an essential part of every invitation.

Punctuality: a preference for arriving at the exact time

There was more agreement when it came to food: in all 27 countries, finishing a meal is considered a way to show respect for the hosts and appreciation for the effort of the person who prepared it. However, responses differed by gender: 82% of men surveyed and 75% of women said they always do this. Some female participants explained that they deliberately leave a little food on their plates, perhaps considering it polite. The study records differing views; it does not prescribe that guests must finish their meals.

When it comes to arriving at a meeting, most people also lean toward a particular option, though it isn’t the same in every country. In 23 of the 27 countries, participants more often chose to arrive at the exact time stated in the invitation; punctuality is considered especially important in Greece. At the same time, 35% of men prefer to arrive early, while women more often choose to show up right on time. In Czechia, Germany, Poland and France, arriving early was also the more popular choice.

The results don’t offer a single answer to whether it’s better to arrive late, on time, or early. According to Preply, global searches for this phrase increased by 66% over the course of a year, but expectations depend on the country and the circumstances. The survey also reports that single participants are twice as likely to be late, while people with children find it especially difficult to stick to a strict schedule. These observations don’t explain the reasons and don’t replace checking the timing with your host.

Source: UNIAN