Bathing water quality: Austria remains among Europe’s top performers
The latest figures from the European Environment Agency confirm that the quality of Europe’s bathing waters remains high. Austria once again performs very well. Of the 260 bathing sites assessed in Austria, 251, or 96.5%, were classified as “excellent” for the 2025 bathing season. Overall, 99.6% of Austrian bathing sites meet the requirements of the EU Bathing Water Directive.
Across the EU, 85% of bathing waters achieved the highest quality level, while 96% met at least the minimum requirements of the EU Bathing Water Directive.
In total, more than 22,000 bathing waters in the EU, Albania and Switzerland were assessed. The assessment is based on microbiological parameters, in particular Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. These bacteria serve as indicators of possible faecal contamination and related health risks.
Austria among Europe’s leading countries
Austria is once again among the countries with the highest bathing water quality in Europe. Together with Cyprus, Greece and Bulgaria, Austria is among the countries where more than 95% of bathing waters were classified as “excellent”.
Across the EU, coastal bathing waters generally perform better than inland waters: in 2025, 88% of coastal bathing waters in the EU were classified as “excellent”, compared to 78% of inland bathing waters. As a landlocked country, Austria is assessed on the basis of its lakes and rivers and also ranks among Europe’s top performers in this category.
Key facts at a glance
- Data period: 2025 bathing season
- Subject: more than 22,000 bathing waters in the EU, Albania and Switzerland
- Quality levels: “excellent”, “good”, “sufficient” and “poor” under the EU Bathing Water Directive
- Austria: 96.5% “excellent”, among the best results in Europe
- EU average: 85% “excellent”, 96% meet at least the minimum requirements
Current information at a glance
Current measurements on water quality, water clarity and temperature at Austrian bathing sites are available on the website of the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety. The database also provides detailed information on individual bathing waters, their catchment areas and use in the form of bathing water profiles. These are prepared in cooperation with the federal provinces, AGES and the Ministry of Health.
