Can You Drink Tap Water In Germany? 🚰 (2024)

Yes, you can safely drink tap water in Germany! The quality of German tap water is strictly regulated by the government, making it one of the cleanest tap waters in the world. Some regions in Germany have harder tap water than others, which might affect the taste. However, scientists and studies have found that it is safe to drink and not harmful to human health.

In this guide, we’ll explore where the tap water comes from, the reasons why it is such high quality, and tips you should know to take advantage of having good quality tap water in your home.

Where does tap water in Germany come from?

70% of Germany’s drinking water comes from groundwater and spring water, the rest from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or wells near rivers and lakes.

The water is analyzed in the waterworks, and if necessary, it is processed. Once the water has been processed, it is released into the water pipelines, which is how we get it at home.

Depending on the region, the amount of water from each source might be different. Drinking water in Germany comes from the following sources:

Can You Drink Tap Water In Germany? 🚰 (1)
  • Naturally formed groundwater: The majority (62%) of tap water comes from groundwater, which forms when water from the surface seeps into the ground. The water that is absorbed by the ground can be from rain, lakes, or river water.
  • Springwater: Spring water is water that emerges to the surface. How suitable this water is for drinking depends on whether the water comes from deep soil layers or sources near the surface. Water that comes from sources closer to the surface needs to be purified more.
  • Artificially recharged groundwater: A process where the amount of water absorbed by the surface is intentionally increased by human-controlled means.
  • Surface water: The water found in rivers, lakes, and dams
  • Bank filtration: The process of infiltrating water from river and lake banks into the groundwater stream.

In NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia), where I live, a national news company created a tool to help the residents of this region find out their drinking water sources. For example, my drinking water is 25% groundwater and 75% from bank filtration in my home.

Can You Drink Tap Water In Germany? 🚰 (2)

You can watch the following video to learn how the tap water cycle works. The video below talks about Berlin; however, this process applies to all other German cities.

Quality of tap water in Germany

If you would do a Google search for the cleanest or best tap water globally, Germany always makes the list and is in the top 10 countries.

Now, what does Germany do to achieve this? As it turns out, drinking water is one of the most regulated things in Germany. The German government released a water ordinance (Trinkwasserverordnung) in 2001 with stringent regulations for tap water. Due to the high regulations on tap water, no hard chemicals such as chlorine or fluoridation are used to purify it.

The water in Germany is so good that you can drink it from any of the faucets in your home: bathroom, kitchen, heck you can even drink water while you shower ?.

A study done by the German Association of Local Utilities, where they surveyed around 10,000 people, found that almost 93% of Germans drink tap water. 84% of Germans rate the quality of the drinking water as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.

Even though a lot of Germans drink tap water, some refuse to do so for different reasons. Different regional offices try to break the myths Germans might have of tap water. Once I saw a stand in the city center of Bonn offering free water. Their point was to promote the excellent quality of tap water in the region.

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Depending on the region where you live in Germany, the water might taste different. Of course, the taste is subjective to each person; however, it also has to do with the amount of minerals in the water.

The more minerals the tap water has, the harder it is. The common minerals tap water in Germany has are calcium and magnesium. The calcium in the water is known as limescale.

It is not unhealthy to drink limescale. On the contrary, if you have low calcium levels, drinking tap water with high limescale amounts in it might help you increase your calcium intake.

Simple Germany’s Hot Tip

To ensure you always get the tastiest water from your tap, let it run for a few seconds until the water feels cold. This will guarantee that you drink the freshest water.

The downside of tap water with a lot of limescale in it is not only the taste, but the damage it can cause to tea kettles, pots, or coffee makers. Many Germans use a water filtration system to reduce the amount of limescale in the water. Filtered water is safer to use in kitchen appliances.

At home, I use a water filter called Brita. It holds a bit over two liters of water, and I need to change the filter once every 1.5 months or so.

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Can You Drink Tap Water In Germany? 🚰 (4)

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Some people have high concerns about drinking lead in their tap water in Germany. Lead can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and children. According to an article by Germany’s central environmental authority (Umwelt Bundesamt), lead pipes can only be found in buildings that were built before 1973.

If you have concerns about the types of metals in your drinking water, you can consult your local health organization (Gesundheitsamt) or your landlord. It is your right in Germany to have high-quality drinking water in your home.

Be aware that there are some places in Germany where you should not drink the tap water. For example, the water that comes from the tap in the bathrooms of trains or fountains. The places where you should not drink the tap water will be marked with a sign or with the words ‘No drinking water’ or ‘Kein Trinkwasser’.

We can all help to maintain the good quality of water in Germany. It is important to not pollute the water unnecessarily by throwing medicine, paint residues, or other chemicals down the toilet or drain.

You can easily dispose properly of everything in Germany. You can read our guide on how to separate trash in Germany for more information about that.

Final thoughts on tap water in Germany

I think it is a privilege we have in Germany to be able to just turn on the tap and drink the water. This is not possible in Guatemala, where I’m from.

I personally love to drink tap water because it tastes great, and I reduce my plastic consumption by not buying bottled water.

So if you are in Germany, grab yourself a fresh glass of water and enjoy drinking one of the cleanest tap waters in the world! 💦

Can You Drink Tap Water In Germany? 🚰 (2024)

FAQs

Can You Drink Tap Water In Germany? 🚰? ›

Water suppliers in Germany are obligated to conduct regular testing to monitor the water quality. Any issues are quickly addressed to maintain the highest standards. There may be slight regional variations in taste, but overall, you can confidently drink tap water in Germany.

Is the tap water in Germany safe to drink? ›

Yes, tap water is safe and the most controlled beverage/food product in Germany. Many German cities including Berlin and Munich brag about the quality of their tap water which often comes from the same source as mineral water.

Can you drink tap water in Munich hotels? ›

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Munich, and you should not have any worries regarding its cleanliness and purity. Originating from the Alps, the water is actually pretty clean and it's better than other tap waters in Europe.

Do we need water filter in Germany? ›

Is it OK to drink tap water in Germany? Yes, it is generally safe to drink the tap water in Germany. The Drinking Water Ordinance (in German: Trinkwasserverordnung) of the Federal Ministry of Health governs the quality of German water.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Hamburg? ›

Generally speaking, Hamburg tap water is safe to drink. Many tourists actually say that it tastes better and “cleaner” than the tap water at home, finding it quite agreeable and tasty. There are, indeed, instances when the water might taste slightly off: for example, when the snow in the area begins to melt.

Is tipping a thing in Germany? ›

Tipping isn't mandatory in Germany. Instead, it's seen as a gesture of appreciation for a good experience. A tip is always welcome, but in Germany, it's usually based directly on the quality of service. If you're satisfied, leaving a tip is a way to show it.

Can Americans drink tap water in Munich? ›

Yes, tap water in Munich is generally safe to drink and healthier than bottled water. If you are concerned about the pipes or more recent found contaminants such as microplastics then it can be a good idea to use a high quality water filter in Munich.

Do restaurants serve tap water in Germany? ›

So, the next time you dine out in Germany, remember that while tap water might not always be freely available, you can still enjoy the rich culinary traditions and diverse beverages this country has to offer.

Where is the best tap water in Europe? ›

Iceland has high rainfall, meaning that not only do they have a large amount of groundwater, it is of great quality. Because of this, the water in Iceland is free from chlorine, calcium, and nitrate. The water has filtered through volcanic rock for decades, ensuring that tap water is safe and delivious.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Munich airport? ›

With regard to drinking water use at the airport, this means using drinking water sparingly and, as far as possible, using drinking water only when drinking water quality is actually necessary. Water-saving valves in the terminal areas help reduce drinking water consumption.

Should I bring a filtered water bottle to Europe? ›

However, instead of creating a hard and fast rule that you are best to avoid tap water in Europe, know that in many countries, including all Western European countries, the water is perfectly safe to drink. So, save on buying and using plastic bottles and bring along a reusable water bottle on your trip instead.

What is the water contamination in Germany? ›

Nitrate pollution of surface water and groundwater remains a serious concern. The most significant pressures on rivers and groundwater bodies in Germany are diffuse agriculture pollution, with 65% of river water bodies being affected and 41% of groundwater bodies (European Commission, 2019).

How do you say water in Germany? ›

das Wasser

We got that too.

Is bathroom water drinkable in Germany? ›

Generally, tap water in Germany is safe to drink because of the high standards set by the authorities.

Is it safe to drink the water in Frankfurt? ›

Frankfurt's drinking water meets all applicable quality requirements in Europe.

Is it OK to drink Berlin tap water? ›

Germany has some of the best quality drinking water in the world, so it is completely safe to drink from a faucet. Berlin's tap water is sourced from groundwater that is naturally purified and further treated through Berlin's water treatment facilities [1].

Is there lead in tap water in Germany? ›

In Germany, lead water pipes are hardly a problem any more. The low limit value of a maximum of 10 µg/L cannot usually be met by drinking water flowing through lead pipes. In addition, the Drinking Water Ordinance reduces the existing limits for the heavy metals chromium, arsenic and lead with a time lag.

Which country has the best tap water? ›

Finland is uniquely rich in surface waters, and ranks amongst the best in the world for its tap water quality. It is not only completely safe but a pleasure to drink, with legislation ensuring that water does not contain substances or organisms that could cause any ill-health.

Is it safe to drink tap water in hotels? ›

Hotel water is often as safe as the public water supply where the hotel is located,” Bartell told Verywell in an email. “But some remote hotels have their own private water supplies, which are less regulated.” In some older hotels, tap water might be contaminated by lead pipes, Bartell added.

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