Can I Drink Tap Water in Spain?

Spain provides safe drinking water throughout the country, fully compliant with European Union standards (EU Directive 2020/2184). The water is regularly monitored and treated by local health authorities. Major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville have excellent water quality. While tap water is safe nationwide, regional variations exist—Mediterranean coastal areas have harder water with higher mineral content. The taste may be noticeably chlorinated due to disinfection processes, but this is not harmful. Spanish residents regularly drink tap water with confidence.

Spain's tap water is regulated under Royal Decree 3/2023, which transposes the EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184. The Ministry of Health oversees water quality, and every local water provider must submit certified laboratory tests every six months, resulting in over 40 million quality reports annually. More than 99% of supplied water meets European quality standards. The water treatment infrastructure includes chlorination, filtration, and flocculation processes. Currently, 95% of Spain's population is connected to purification systems. Water sources include surface water, groundwater, and increasingly treated wastewater. The country is implementing significant infrastructure improvements through the Third Cycle Hydrological Plans (until 2027) with €22.84 billion in investments. Spain is a leader in wastewater reuse in the EU, with about 20% of treated wastewater being reclaimed. Regional variations in water hardness and taste exist, particularly in the Mediterranean region due to higher mineral content, but these pose no health risks.

Tap water is safe for all visitors to Spain. You do not need to buy bottled water for health reasons, though many people prefer it for taste. The water quality is comparable to or exceeds that of most developed countries. Any gastrointestinal issues visitors experience are unlikely to be related to water quality.