Thirsty on holiday? In these countries you pay nothing for a carafe of tap water
Paying for municipal pilsner—many people absolutely hate it. A glass of tap water (or even better: a carafe) on the terrace or in a restaurant should be the most normal thing in the world, I think, and so do 94% of Dutch people (as shown by research into free tap water). In these holiday countries, they understand that and charge you nothing.
Of course, I do understand that you have to pay for tap water. Staff pour it, a glass is used (and sometimes a carafe too), which then has to be washed, and every cent a hospitality business can earn is a welcome bonus. But offering free tap water is incredibly hospitable—especially when it’s hot outside. So is that why it’s free in these countries?
France: asking costs nothing
Le carafe d’eau costs nothing, and if the waiting staff forget to put it on the table, you can ask for it without hesitation because it definitely won’t appear on the bill. But do keep an eye out if you sit down in one of the tourist hotspots. There, you often even pay extra for a slice of lemon or an ice cube in your Coke. Under French law, that is allowed, as long as it is stated on the menu (usually in very small print).
Spain: no cuesta nada
Although in Spain you can be charged a surcharge for the strangest things on your restaurant bill, it has recently been legally established that you do not pay extra for a carafe of tap water. So, in your best Spanish, you can tell the waiter that you know lagua del grifo is now free; no cuesta nada.
Great Britain: with your booze
In British hospitality venues, if you order an alcoholic drink, they are required to serve you a glass of water too if you ask for one. Even if you’re eating in a restaurant, the carafe of tap water is for free.
Italy: not that tasty
Okay, it isn’t free, but it won’t cost you the earth. Because the quality of tap water leaves much to be desired in many parts of Italy, it’s best not to risk it here. That’s why you’ll get bottled water, which you obviously do have to pay for, but it won’t bankrupt you.
Portugal: practically for free
Portuguese tap water is safe, but contains a lot of limescale and iron, which doesn’t do the taste any favours. On the other hand, a bottle of water in restaurants costs less than a euro, so we won’t make a fuss about that.
Greece: with chlorine
Eating out in Greece is dirt cheap. You often don’t even notice that you’re paying a little extra for that carafe of water when you see the bill. What’s more, the drinking water on some islands is chlorinated and therefore not particularly tasty—although many people simply drink it anyway, so if you really don’t want to spend anything on water: go ahead.
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- We need to talk about Lidl’s little apple pie
- Recipe: how to make the most delicious Flügel MonChou cake
Source: Franska
