European countries including Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy welcome millions of British holidaymakers each summer, each of which has its own guidance on drinking tap water.
According to a 2022 survey by Compare the Market, 35 percent of holiday-goers have fallen ill from drinking tap water abroad, but it’s easily avoided by knowing where to be cautious.
Most places in Europe do have a safe running water supply but the others are more restrictive when it comes to hydrating. And the list of “risk-free” destinations is always changing.
Popular destinations like Croatia are surprisingly easy to access consumption-safe water despite many believing otherwise.
And there are plenty of other holiday hotspots where Britons can avoid costly charges for bottled versions when it’s completely free to access water, just like at home.
Where in Europe is tap water safe to drink?
According to travel guides for each country, the following destinations offer drinkable tap water:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Mainland Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- North Macedonia
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Liechtenstein
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Monaco
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
- Estonia
- France
- Slovakia
- Azores, Portugal
- Cyprus
Where in Europe should tap water be avoided?
Some tap water in several countries is filled with bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and chemical pollutants that can cause sickness.
Stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and other gastrointestinal problems are other common side effects of unsafe drinking water.
In some places, tap water is safe to drink though the taste can vary depending on chlorine levels, in which case locals prefer, and often recommend drinking bottled water instead.
According to travel guides for each country, visitors should not drink running water in the following places:
- Andorra
- Greek Islands
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Albania
- Belarus
- Bulgaria
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