April 28, 2026, 9:35 am | Read time: 2 minutes
In Germany, it’s common to throw toilet paper into the toilet after use. This is not the case in many other countries. TRAVELBOOK shows where in Europe toilet paper must be disposed of differently, the reasons for this, and where used paper should be thrown instead.
Anyone who has vacationed in various countries in southern and eastern Europe may be familiar with this rule: Toilet paper must not be thrown into the toilet and especially not flushed. This is often humorously indicated by signs on the toilet door or wall.
In these countries in Europe, toilet paper must not go in the toilet
Countries that request keeping their drains free of toilet paper include Greece. According to a blog post, toilets there sometimes have too steep a slope, and the pipes may have too small a diameter. In both cases, toilet paper is not properly transported, leading to pipe blockages. Some houses are also connected to cesspools instead of a sewer system, which can also clog. Therefore, in many places in Greece, you will find notices that toilet paper must 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 Often, it is rural areas with outdated sewage systems that cannot properly transport the paper. The result: pipes clog, and toilets overflow.
Also interesting: Should you avoid using folded toilet paper in hotels?
Where to dispose of used paper?
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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 important to wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet. However, you should always adhere to this practice and throw the paper away instead of flushing it, as it can cause pipe blockages. The costs for drain cleaning and any resulting damage can be quite high in some cases. Sometimes, the person responsible may even be charged for it.