The quality of tap water in many popular holiday destinations in Europe leaves a lot to be desired. Anyone who drinks it or uses it to brush their teeth can become ill from germs in the water, etc. We show you in which countries you need to be careful.
In Germany, many people are used to drinking tap water without having to worry about their health. But outside of Germany, you should be careful, because in many countries in Europe the quality of tap water is not so good.
Drinking tap water on vacation
In order to really enjoy your summer vacation, vacationers should be careful not to become dehydrated. When we are physically active or on hot days, we sweat a lot and lose a lot of fluids. That's why it's especially important to drink enough water, whether you're spending a day at the beach or sightseeing in the blazing sun.
In terms of both cost and sustainability, tap water is often an attractive alternative to bottled drinking water. That's why many people don't want to go without it when on vacation. But this isn't possible everywhere without concerns.
These countries are not recommended
First the good news: In many European countries, tap water is safe to drink. However, you may have to get used to a different taste. In southern or southeastern Europe in particular, tap water can often taste a bit musty or contain chlorine, but it is not dangerous to your health.
However, the ADAC advises against drinking tap water in the following countries, citing a list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA, as there is a risk of contamination:
- Albania
- Bosnia Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Kosovo
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Moldova
- North Macedonia
- Romania
- Serbia
- Türkiye
What you can do
In these countries, holidaymakers should therefore only drink water from industrially sealed bottles and make sure that the safety rings on the cap are intact. However, if there is no way to buy one, it is advisable to boil the water. To do this, it should be heated to 100 degrees Celsius for at least three minutes, as the ADAC recommends. This can kill germs and other pathogens.
If holidaymakers are staying at higher altitudes, the cooking time is longer. At 1000 metres above sea level, for example, you have to boil tap water for three to five minutes to achieve the same effect.
Source: ADAC
By Véronique Fritsche