Every summer, a new batch of tourists head to Europe from other parts of the globe — in this case, usually from the U.S. — and flock to social media with one question: Why don’t Europeans drink water? The claim is that plain ol’ water is kind of hard to come by across the continent, leading H2O-guzzling Americans to believe that people living in Europe must be chronically dehydrated.
@ditchthedistrict What is the secret?? Half my travel budget is water I swear #internationaltravel #asktiktok #americansabroad #europetiktok #europetok ♬ Alegria – Elia Y Elizabeth
TikTok seems to be where this assertion is perpetuated most. One viral example is a 2023 clip posted by @ditchthedistrict, where the creator complained that her “organs are turning into beef jerky they’re so dry” from the lack of water. Others have also gotten heaps of attention on TikTok for similar videos, including @br3nnak3ough, who added text on their TikTok arguing that “Europeans don’t believe in water.”
While these clips have racked up views and likes, some people — namely, Europeans — often take to the comments to try to debunk their message.
So, do people in Europe really drink less water?
Whether you’re from a European country or you’ve only visited one, you probably have an opinion on the Europeans-don’t-drink-water saga. But like any cultural difference, it can be difficult to understand the fuss without looking at both sides of the picture.
To cut to the chase, no, it’s not true that Europeans don’t drink water. They’re human, just like people living in any other part of the world. However, you might not find as many people in, say, Spain or Romania lugging around a reusable water bottle the size of a toddler the way you would in the U.S. In the U.S., hydration is viewed as a remedy for almost every ailment, from headaches to acne. Unsurprisingly, then, official recommendations on water consumption are higher than in Europe: Americans are told to drink between 72 and 104 ounces (2,129 to 3,076 milliliters) per day, while the French, for example, are told to aim for between 53 and 70 ounces (1,567 to 2,070 milliliters)1. And even with recommendations being lower, the European Commission notes that most populations in the EU fail to reach the benchmark. France, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden are just some places where non-alcoholic fluid intake clocks in at fewer than 1,500 milliliters per day.
Finally, it’s worth noting that water comes at a cost in some European countries. While restaurants in places like the U.K. are required to offer free tap water to any diner who requests it, establishments in others, such as the Netherlands, list water on the menu for a price (often nearly the same amount as the cost of a cappuccino or juice).
Even in countries where free tap water can be ordered, only drinking plain H2O might be frowned upon, especially in restaurants that depend on drink orders to keep profits up. When everyone in the restaurant has a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, it can be wise to do as the Romans do and order the same.
Hydration doesn’t always have to come out of a Stanley Cup
For those who are used to guzzling water from a giant Stanley Cup bottle all day, European drinking habits can be alarming. But the cultural difference is a good reminder that fluid consumption doesn’t only come down to water. Fruity sodas, smoothies, teas, and other beverages can offer hydration, and you might notice people in Europe drinking one of these options over simple H2O. Even coffee, often thought to trigger dehydration, can actually do the opposite when consumed in moderation, according to a 2017 study.
Food can also be a source of hydration. Whether you’re munching on a Caprese salad in Italy or sipping garlic soup in Czechia, you’re technically ingesting fluids, which can count toward your eight glasses a day. Balancing out dense or fried foods with light, watery ingredients can help prevent dehydration.
One final note about European water consumption: Tap water is safe to drink in most European countries. While this is true of the U.S., too (and the U.S. even outperforms some EU nations in the Environmental Performance Index’s Sanitation & Drinking Water list), Americans are often encouraged to filter their water. What this could mean is that having access to fresh drinking water takes a bit more effort for those in the U.S., while Europeans don’t bat an eye at taking a sip from the restroom sink or a sidewalk water fountain. This casualness might make it seem like Europeans hardly ever drink water, when, in reality, they just do so more discreetly.