Do Europeans have to pay for water at restaurants?

Europeans, who are notorious water connoisseurs, generally pay to drink bottled water with their meals — for taste, not health. Availability of (and willingness to serve) tap water varies from country to country; you’ll pay for it in Belgium (and in Denmark, too, unless you order an additional beverage).

Do businesses have to provide water to customers?

The US Department of Labor states that every employer across the US must provide drinking water. Specifically, the drinking water must: Be in accordance with public health standards. Come from a drinking fountain, covered container, or single-use bottle.

Is water free in Paris restaurants?

If you’re in a Paris café or restaurant, water, like bread, is always free. And it’s the only drink in France that comes with a free refill. Just ask for a glass of water (un verre d’eau) or a carafe (une carafe d’eau) to indicate that you plan to revel in the complimentary pleasures of the city’s “grand cru.”

Is drinking water free in France?

Free – Free drinking water is also readily available – most cities have water fountains and some of them even contain sparkling water. But most tap water is potable – drinkable.

Can a restaurant refuse to serve tap water?

As there’s no requirement that free tap water be filtered, restaurants can charge for filtered drinking water. But if they serve alcohol, they MUST provide free drinking water, whether it’s filtered or unfiltered, MSE says.

Why do restaurants in Europe charge for water?

They would accuse the restaurant of being cheap and probably never return. So restaurants charge for the water indirectly. They know what their operating cost are and they incorporate those costs into the price of their menu items. Even though it isn’t on the check, you paid for your water.

Do restaurants have to provide tap water?

Are businesses required to have free water?

Under federal law, employers must provide potable water that employees can consume. Potable water includes tap water that is safe to drink. Employers are not allowed to make employees pay for water that is provided. If potable water is provided, an employer does not have to offer bottled water.

Do French restaurants serve tap water?

You may drink the tap water in France. Despite the French affinity for natural mineral water, the tap water in all the large cities in France is drinkable, even if chlorinated. Whether you order mineral water or tap water is your choice. In French restaurants, you pour your own water.

Can you drink tap water in Nice France?

Tap water is safe to drink in Nice.

How do you ask for tap water in a French restaurant?

Luckily, there’s a way to get water for free in any French restaurant: Instead of asking for de l’eau plate/gazeuse, s’il vous plait, ask for une carafe d’eau. This means “a pitcher of (tap) water”.

Does France have clean water?

The poor water quality might not be evident at first as most of the population enjoys clean water. In 2014, it was recorded that 98 percent of the population in France have access to clean water, a 280,000 person increase from 2012.

Do restaurants in France and Germany serve free water?

Almost all restaurants in France accept to server free water (and free bread). Germany does not legally mandate free tap water. Restaurant owners are free to decide what drinks to serve and what to charge for them. (German links.)

Which countries have free tap water in restaurants?

Belgium has no law regulating it (Dutch link). In Finland there is no law regulating it. France has a law to provide free tap water when serving a meal at a restaurant. (see here ). Almost all restaurants in France accept to server free water (and free bread).

Do all restaurants in Italy serve bottled water?

However, not all restaurants will offer this and you may be forced to order bottled water. In Italy there is no law about it, but the majority of restaurants will serve bottled water by default. Few of them will deny tap water to customers, and few of them only serve tap or filtered water free of charge.

Is free tap water a legal requirement in Germany?

Germany does not legally mandate free tap water. Restaurant owners are free to decide what drinks to serve and what to charge for them. (German links.) In Iceland there is no law regulating it, but restaurants provide free water. In the Netherlands, a 2011 campaign demanded free tap water in restaurants.