Every summer, millions of Europeans flock to beaches, lakes, and rivers to cool off. New data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) confirms that the vast majority of these waters are safe, but significant disparities remain between countries and water types.
The EEA's 2025 bathing water report assessed more than 22,000 sites across the European Union, plus Albania and Switzerland. The headline figure is reassuring: 96 percent meet minimum safety standards, and 85 percent are rated 'excellent.' However, the quality varies sharply depending on whether you swim in the sea, a lake, or a river.
Coastal waters shine, rivers lag
Coastal sites continue to perform best, with 88 percent achieving an excellent rating. Lakes follow at 78 percent, while rivers trail far behind at just 47 percent of roughly 1,200 monitored sites. The main culprit is bacterial contamination from E. coli and intestinal enterococci, often caused by sewage overflows or agricultural runoff after heavy rain.
This pollution is not just a health risk—it also undermines efforts to revive urban river swimming. Cities like Paris, Berlin, Budapest, and Vilnius have invested heavily in cleaning up their waterways, making swimming possible again after decades of industrial neglect. Yet the EEA data shows that inland waters remain the weakest link in Europe's bathing water network.
Country performance: clear winners and laggards
National performance diverges dramatically. Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, and Austria all exceed 95 percent excellent ratings, reflecting strong environmental regulations and effective wastewater treatment. In contrast, Belgium, Hungary, Poland, and Estonia fall below 70 percent, indicating persistent challenges with pollution.
For travellers seeking the cleanest swims, the Mediterranean coast remains a safe bet. Greece's islands and Cyprus's sandy beaches consistently score top marks, while Bulgaria's Black Sea resorts have also made impressive strides. Inland, Austria's alpine lakes are among the best in Europe, benefiting from strict agricultural controls and natural filtration.
The progress in urban river swimming is a testament to EU legislation. The Bathing Water Directive, updated in 2006, sets binding standards for microbial parameters and requires member states to monitor and report regularly. As EU law keeps Europe's bathing waters clean and safe, cities have been able to invest in infrastructure upgrades that reduce sewage spills and improve water quality.
Yet challenges remain. Climate change is increasing the frequency of heavy rain events, which overwhelm sewage systems and cause temporary pollution spikes. The EEA warns that without further investment in green infrastructure—such as permeable pavements and retention basins—the gains could be reversed.
For now, though, the overall trend is positive. The share of excellent bathing sites has risen steadily over the past decade, and the revival of urban swimming in capitals like Paris and Berlin shows what is possible when political will meets public demand. As more Europeans seek out cooler alpine destinations to escape summer heatwaves, the quality of inland waters will only become more important.
For those planning a swim this summer, the EEA's interactive map allows users to check the latest ratings for any monitored site. The message is clear: Europe's waters are mostly clean, but choose your spot wisely—especially if you prefer rivers over the sea.
