As many Britons plan their summer getaways, a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) sheds light on the cleanliness of Europe's bathing waters, offering crucial insights for holidaymakers. The good news for those venturing to the continent is that a significant 96% of EU bathing waters meet the minimum quality standards, with 85% achieving an 'excellent' rating for the 2025 bathing season.
For pristine swimming conditions, Cyprus stands out as the top performer, with all of its reported swim sites — a remarkable 100% — classified as excellent. Greece, Bulgaria, and Austria also scored highly, with more than 95% of their bathing waters meeting this top threshold. These findings provide reassurance for travellers heading to popular Mediterranean and European destinations.
However, the report also highlights areas of concern. Albania ranked at the bottom of the list, with less than 16% of its bathing waters rated excellent, and a worrying 23% found to be of poor quality due to significant levels of faecal bacteria. This is particularly relevant given the recent surge in popularity of Albanian beach holidays. Other countries with lower rankings include Estonia, Poland, and Hungary, all reporting less than 65% of their bathing waters as excellent.
The presence of contaminants such as E. coli and intestinal enterococci, often stemming from sewage overflows or agricultural runoff, can pose serious health risks. These bacteria can lead to a range of illnesses, from skin, eye, and ear infections to more severe symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. Young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
Compared to the rest of Europe, the UK's bathing waters continue to lag. While there has been a slight improvement, only 66% of coastal and inland waters in the UK were rated excellent in 2025, and 7% were classified as poor. This contrasts sharply with the EU's overall 85% excellent rating and 1.5% poor rating, despite both the UK and the EU utilising the same World Health Organisation (WHO) framework for monitoring water quality.
For those planning a dip, the EEA provides an interactive map to check European beach cleanliness. In the UK, the free Safer Seas & Rivers Service app offers real-time alerts on sewage discharges and water quality issues across 450 locations. It's also advisable to check local safety signs, avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall due to increased risk of contamination, and be mindful of currents and water temperature.