Can you drink the water in France and Spain?

A question often asked by foreign visitors when they come to Spain is “Is it okay to drink the tap water here?” The simple answer is yes, you can! Spanish tap water is considered to be 99.5% safe to drink, although the taste may vary somewhat according to the region.



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Tips and tricks to staying hydrated. Yes, tap water in Paris is perfectly safe to drink and is readily available wherever you go, even at public water fountains. As long as taps aren't labeled eau non potable—meaning “not for drinking” in French—everything else is potable.

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Do Spanish people drink tap water? A. Although 99.5% of Spain's tap water is safe to drink, many Spaniards prefer to drink bottled water due to its taste. Madrid has some of the best-tasting tap water in the country and lower sales of bottled water as a result.

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The water is safe to drink and meets EU standards for potable water. However, it may contain trace amounts of contaminants so if you're concerned about those, it's best to filter your own bottled water or use a pocket-sized portable filter when filling up from public fountains.

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Absolutely! The good news is that it's usually free, too. The tap water in Paris is safe for drinking and meets all EU regulations for potable water quality standards. The word 'potable' means drinkable in both English and French.

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Tipping is not considered etiquette by French people in French restaurants, but if you enjoyed your meal, it's nice to leave 5 - 10%. If you really enjoyed the meal, or plan on returning to the restaurant and want the wait staff to like you, 15% is a generous tip.

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But, to reiterate – you can rest assured that most of the drinking water in Spain is fit for consumption. You can drink the tap water in Spain in your hotel, at restaurants, and even from fountains at the park.

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Is it expected? Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.

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Tipping in France is not mandatory. Even though it is always appreciated, it's up to the customers to decide if they want to tip or not. Unlike other countries, the price of the service is included in the total cost of the bill. You will never be asked to tip, but it's common to leave one if the service was good.

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You can also check the local water quality reports in the area where the hotel is located, or look up any travel health warnings issued by government agencies. Bartell added that apart from direct water testing, it's hard to know if the hotel you're staying at has unsafe drinking water.

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Paris is generally safe at night, however, it is important to take the same precautions as you would in any other major city. It is best to avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas, especially at night, and to be aware of your surroundings.

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