Teenustasu

Teenustasu is the Estonian term for a service fee or service charge. The word is formed from teenus, meaning service, and tasu, meaning fee, indicating a charge that a provider adds for performing a service. A teenustasu may be fixed or calculated as a percentage of the bill, and it can appear as a separate line item or be incorporated into the total price.

The concept is used in various sectors, including hospitality (restaurants and hotels), delivery services, and some professional or event services. In practice, a teenustasu can be mandatory, part of the stated price, or discretionary, depending on the business policy. Some establishments use a service charge to cover staff wages or operational costs, while others present it as a tipping-style option for customers.

Transparency and consumer protection considerations are common in discussions about teenustasu. Pricing rules typically require clear disclosure of any service charge, and customers should be able to distinguish it from tips or gratuities. The distinction is that a service fee is imposed by the business, whereas a tip is usually voluntary and given at the customer’s discretion.

In everyday use, the term is encountered on bills and price lists, and its interpretation can vary by establishment and sector. Consumers may encounter teenustasu alongside other charges such as delivery fees or taxes. Understanding whether the fee is mandatory and how it is applied helps ensure pricing is transparent.