How Does Water Safety Work in Spain?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Tap water is safe to drink throughout mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, but tap water in the Canary Islands is not recommended for drinking.
2What You Need to Know
Spain's mainland and Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) have tap water that meets EU safety standards and is safe to drink. Many Spaniards prefer bottled water for taste reasons, but there is no health risk from the tap. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, etc.) are a notable exception — the local tap water, while technically treated, is generally not recommended for drinking due to desalination processes and pipe quality; use bottled water there. Bottled water is inexpensive and universally available throughout Spain.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1On the Spanish mainland and Balearics, tap water is perfectly safe — refill a reusable bottle to save money and reduce plastic waste
- 2In the Canary Islands, always drink bottled water and use it for brushing teeth to be safe
- 3Ask for 'agua del grifo' (tap water) in restaurants to avoid being charged for bottled water if you prefer tap
Important Warning
Do not drink tap water in the Canary Islands — it is not recommended even though it is technically treated.
How does this compare?
Water Safety rules in nearby and similar countries:
Tap water in Germany is completely safe to drink throughout the entire country and meets some of the highest quality standards in Europe.
Tap water throughout the UK is excellent quality and completely safe to drink straight from the tap.
Tap water is completely safe to drink throughout France and is free at all restaurants by law when requested as a carafe d'eau.
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