Britons embarking on vacations to Spain will face an additional fee when purchasing beverages at bars, restaurants, and stores. Enjoying a cold drink under the Spanish sun or sipping wine with a plate of seafood paella will soon come at a higher cost due to a new bottle deposit system being implemented in various establishments across Spain.
Under the upcoming regulations by the Spanish Government, customers will incur an extra charge of approximately 10 cents each time they buy a bottled or canned drink. This fee, not classified as a tax but as a refundable deposit, will be visibly indicated on the bill and can be reclaimed by returning the empty container to the point of sale or designated collection machines.
To facilitate the process, collection machines equipped to scan barcodes, validate returns, and issue refunds in cash or vouchers will be stationed throughout Spain. Supermarkets and retailers are mandated to accept returned plastic, glass, or aluminum containers, irrespective of their place of purchase, while bars and restaurants will adjust their systems to accommodate the bottle deposit scheme.
These new measures are scheduled to take effect from November 2026, aiming to enhance recycling rates and diminish environmental waste. Spain follows the footsteps of countries like Denmark, Germany, and Norway, which have already adopted similar initiatives to promote sustainability.
Meanwhile, in a bid to alleviate border control issues for British travelers following the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout, Spanish airports are taking steps to streamline the process. Efforts include directing families with children and passengers with reduced mobility to designated control points and coordinating flight arrivals to minimize wait times, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
These adjustments, aimed at improving efficiency rather than suspending operations, seek to enhance the travel experience for Britons visiting popular Spanish destinations.
