You can indeed ask for free tap water, (agua gratis) but whether you would like the taste I can't say. Where I live the water is safe, but tastes truly horrible. Ditto in local restaurants. My solution is to bring my own water in my refillable bottle (from Decathlon) and use that.
Ask for a pitcher of tap water; they'll probably say they only have filtered water so they can keep charging. You can insist on tap water, and then they can't charge you. If they do, you can ask for a complaint form and write a complaint.
Water and sewerage are essential services, and customers have to pay for the services they receive. If you do not pay your bill or contact the company to discuss any difficulties you may be experiencing, your company will take action against you to recover the debt.
National average (2023): The household water price across Spain averages approximately €1.90 to €2.70 per cubic meter, including taxes and fees. Monthly bill for typical household: Most families pay between €18 and €35 per month, depending on region, household size, and consumption.
Is Tap Water in Spain Safe to Drink? Yes, 99.5% of tap water in Spain is considered safe for consumption and meets all quality standards set by the European Union. However, this hasn't always been the case. Over the past few decades, many Spaniards have switched from drinking tap water to bottled water.
Since this could spoil the taste of a meal, restaurants prefer to serve bottled water, which they must charge for. Of course, having to charge for water is a profit for the business, which likely factors into the situation as well.
Tipping in Spain is very different from tipping in North America. Rather than being expected and almost mandatory, tipping is a reward for exceptional service. It's appreciated and is commonplace across the hospitality sector, at restaurants, tapas bars, and beach clubs in places from Bilbao to Barcelona.
The increase in water tariffs in Spain in 2024 reflects the need to adapt to inflation, combat drought and compensate for the investment deficit. These updates seek cost recovery, highlighting the importance of guaranteeing the sustainability of the service and complying with European principles.
1) Many European restaurants don't offer free water to begin with. (No free non-alcoholic refills, either.) You pay by the bottle (or even glass), and customers would rightly resist having beverages urged on them that'd bloat their bill with very little return value.
In Spain, some public toilets charge a fee. This is a common practice in tourist areas but less so in local neighborhoods. It's a small amount, usually ranging from 20 to 50 cents. Public facilities that charge are often found in bus and train stations, shopping centers, and near popular attractions.
It's neither rude, nor weird to order tap water. So you can order tap water and it's free. It's drinkable water because it's being treated for germs like in every civilized city. There may be a weird taste from the pipes if they are old but it's not dangerous for your health.
Placing a charge on tap water is illegal in licensed premises, under the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010. The mandatory condition states that 'Free potable tap water must be provided for customers'.
Make sure you ask the waiter for "Un vaso de agua del grifo," which directly translates to "A glass of water from the tap." That way, they'll know not to bring out an entire bottle — and you can dine a little easier knowing that you won't be charged for it.
In summary. Tourists and residents can safely drink the local tap water throughout Malaga as long as it's from public water sources. If you don't like the taste of the tap water in Malaga or worry about contaminants then try out a water filter such as EcoPro by TAPP Water.
This trend continues with overall property prices being 40% cheaper in Spain compared to the UK. Key factors contributing to the overall cost of living include housing, utilities, and grocery prices. For example, basic utilities for an apartment in Spain average £100, a stark contrast to the £250 in the UK.
So you're going to expect wine, beer, things like that to be more expensive but they're not. They are usually very reasonably priced. If you buy bottles of water or agua con gas or aguasine gas water with bubbles or sodas, they're going to cost more than your wine and beer.
No, your employer cannot stop you from drinking water. All employees must have access and freedom to drink whenever they need to. Access to clean drinking water is not only a basic human right but it also improves the health and productivity of employees.
