Safe Europe · Last reviewed: August 28, 2026

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Austria?

Q: Is Vienna's tap water really untreated?

Much of it arrives via gravity-fed alpine spring systems requiring no chemical treatment, though it is still monitored and tested for safety.

Q: Can you drink from public fountains in Vienna?

Yes, Trinkbrunnen (public drinking fountains) throughout the city provide safe drinking water.

Q: Is Austrian tap water safe outside Vienna?

Yes, water quality is excellent and safe nationwide, including Salzburg, Innsbruck, and rural alpine towns.

Yes, tap water in Austria is safe to drink nationwide, and in Vienna it's especially notable — sourced from alpine springs and delivered largely untreated by gravity alone.

Hardness

Moderate

Locals Drink It?

Yes

Region

Europe

Cities Covered

Water Source

Vienna's water comes almost entirely from protected alpine spring catchments in the Austrian Alps (the Hochquellenleitung system), requiring no chemical treatment in most of the network.

Contaminants & Concerns

No significant concerns anywhere in the country; Austria's alpine-sourced water is considered exceptionally pure.

Regional Variations

Uniformly excellent quality across Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and rural alpine regions.

Water Hardness

Moderate, roughly 150–200 mg/L, though Vienna's spring water is notably soft and clean-tasting for its region..

Soft

Moderate

Hard

Very Hard

Do Locals Drink Tap Water?

Yes, Austrians drink tap water as a point of pride, especially in Vienna.

Tips for Travelers

•Vienna's tap water is genuinely superior to most bottled water and locals drink it proudly
•No need to buy bottled water anywhere in Austria
•Public fountains (Trinkbrunnen) in Vienna and other cities run safe drinking water