April 18, 2025, 12:54 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
In Germany, it is customary to dispose of toilet paper by flushing it down the toilet. This is not the case in many other countries. TRAVELBOOK highlights where in Europe toilet paper must be disposed of differently, the reasons behind this, and where used paper should be placed instead.
Anyone who has vacationed in various countries in Southern and Eastern Europe may be familiar with this rule: Toilet paper should not be thrown into the toilet and especially not flushed. This is often humorously illustrated with signs on the bathroom door or wall.
In These European Countries, Toilet Paper Must Not Be Flushed
Countries that request keeping their drains free of toilet paper include Greece. According to a blog post, toilets there sometimes have a slope that is too steep, and the pipes may have a diameter that is too small. In both cases, toilet paper is not properly transported, which can lead to pipe blockages. Some houses are also connected to cesspools instead of a sewer system, which can also become clogged. Therefore, in many places in Greece, you will see signs indicating that toilet paper should not be thrown into the toilet.
The situation is similar in some rural parts of Spain and occasionally on the islands. Portugal also faces the problem of clogged toilets, although it has improved somewhat in recent years. In Europe, other countries where toilet paper should not be flushed include Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Ukraine. The rule or ban does not necessarily apply to the entire country. Often, it is rural areas with outdated sewage systems where the paper cannot be properly transported. The result is that pipes get clogged, and toilets overflow.
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Where to Dispose of Used Paper?
In countries and regions where toilet paper should be disposed of differently, trash cans are usually provided for this purpose. Some may find this unpleasant, so it’s advisable to wash your hands extra thoroughly after using the toilet. However, you should always adhere to disposing of the paper in the trash instead of flushing it, as otherwise, you may cause pipe blockages. The costs for drain cleaning and any resulting damages can be quite high in some cases. Sometimes, the person responsible may even be charged for it.