Europe
Can you drink the tap water in Europe?
Last reviewed September 2026
Europe has some of the safest tap water in the world, but it is not uniform — Western and Northern Europe are almost universally drinkable, while parts of the east and the far south are better treated with caution. On our index the 45 countries in Europe average 84/100 — but that average hides a wide spread, from Iceland (97) down to Moldova (56). Scores above 70 mean tap water is generally safe to drink. 40–69 means treat it with caution — filtering or bottled water is wise. Below 40 means it’s best avoided straight from the tap.
Tap water safety in Europe, ranked
Every country in Europe, highest score first. Tap any country for its full breakdown.
Traveling in Europe: what to do about tap water
Because the range across Europe is so wide, the safe rule is to check the specific country before you go rather than assume the region is uniform. In any country scoring under 70, treat the tap water — a rolling boil handles microbes, a certified filter or sealed bottled water covers the rest, and it is worth being cautious with ice and raw produce too. Where a country scores 70 or above, the tap water is generally safe to drink and a refillable bottle is the cheaper, greener choice.
Read the full guide: Can You Drink Tap Water in Europe?. Also see our guide on tap water safety while traveling and the full methodology.
Common questions about tap water in Europe
Can you drink the tap water in Europe?+
It varies by country. Of the 45 countries in Europe on our index, 38 rate as safe to drink, 7 are best treated with caution, and 0 are best avoided from the tap. The safest is Iceland (97/100); the least safe is Moldova (56/100).
Which country in Europe has the safest tap water?+
Iceland, scoring 97/100 — safe to drink. Open its page for the full breakdown.
Do you need bottled water in Europe?+
In the countries that score below 70 you should filter, boil, or buy bottled water; where a country scores 70+ the tap water is generally safe and bottled water is optional. Check the individual country before you travel — the range within Europe is wide.