Can You Drink Tap Water in Europe?
Europe has some of the best tap water on Earth — but “Europe” covers 40-plus countries, and the answer isn’t the same everywhere. Here’s where you can drink straight from the tap, and where to take a little more care.
The short answer
Across Western and Northern Europe — France, Germany, the UK, Ireland, the Nordics, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and more — tap water is safe to drink and rigorously tested. The same is true across much of Central Europe. It may taste harder or more chlorinated than you’re used to, but it’s safe.
Europe’s safest tap water
The top-scoring European countries on our index:
- 1Iceland97
- 2Denmark95
- 3Finland95
- 4Liechtenstein95
- 5Netherlands95
- 6Norway95
- 7Sweden95
- 8Switzerland95
- 9Austria94
- 10Germany94
Where to check before you drink
Mainly in parts of the Balkans and Eastern Europe, tap water is more variable. It’s not necessarily unsafe — but it’s worth checking the specific country, and treating rural areas and small islands separately:
- 1Moldova56
- 2Albania57
- 3Ukraine58
- 4Russia61
- 5Bosnia and Herzegovina67
- 6North Macedonia68
- 7Serbia68
Even in safe-water countries, small islands and remote rural spots can differ from the mainland — when in doubt for a specific place, filter or choose bottled.
Check any European country
Tap into the full score and breakdown for any country on our interactive map, and see the safest tap water in the world for the global picture. Traveling? Our travel water guide has the practical rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink tap water everywhere in Europe?
Not quite. Tap water is safe to drink across most of Western and Northern Europe and much of Central Europe. In parts of the Balkans and Eastern Europe it’s more variable, so it’s worth checking the specific country first.
Is tap water safe to drink in France, Germany, Italy and Spain?
Yes. Tap water in France, Germany, Italy and Spain is safe to drink and tightly monitored. It may taste different (harder or more chlorinated) than you’re used to, but it meets strict health standards.
Where in Europe should you avoid tap water?
Be more cautious in parts of the Balkans and Eastern Europe, and always check rural areas and small islands separately. Use the country scores below to see where to take extra care.