By The European Times | Created at 2026-07-29 06:36:26 | Updated at 2026-08-08 11:24:07
1 week ago
A habit that seems completely normal at home can cause serious trouble while on vacation. In a number of European countries and tourist areas, used toilet paper should not be flushed down the toilet, but should be thrown into the nearby bin.
Similar instructions are most common in Southern and Eastern Europe. Therefore, tourists should pay attention to warning signs in hotels, restaurants and public toilets, even if the rule seems unusual to them.
Why is this rule common in Greece
Greece is among the countries where visitors often see warnings not to flush toilet paper. The reason is that in some places the sewer pipes are narrower or have an inappropriate slope, which is why they cannot reliably carry away larger amounts of paper.
Some buildings, especially in smaller settlements and on the islands, are not connected to a central sewage network, but use septic tanks. The accumulation of toilet paper can clog the system and lead to overflow or the need for expensive repairs, reports the German travel magazine TRAVELBOOK.
Similar restrictions can also be found in rural areas of Spain, as well as on some Spanish islands. Problems with clogged sewer systems are also present in Portugal, although the infrastructure has been improved in many places in recent years.
Warning signs can also be seen in certain areas of Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine. This does not mean that the ban applies everywhere in the respective country. It is usually related to a specific building, settlement or outdated sewage system that cannot handle the paper without the risk of clogging.
What tourists should do
When throwing paper into the toilet is not allowed, there is usually a special bin next to it. Although this practice seems unpleasant to some tourists, following the instructions prevents damage and problems with the sewage system. Hands should be washed thoroughly after using the toilet.
Ignoring the signs can lead to clogged pipes, overflows, and significant cleanup and repair costs. In some circumstances, the hotel or property owner may ask the guest to cover the damage caused.
The safest rule is for tourists to always follow the directions of the specific location. If there is a bin next to the toilet and a sign saying that paper should not be flushed, it should be disposed of there.
Illustrative photo: pexels-vlada-karpovich-3958184
