Britons embarking on vacations to Spain will soon face an additional fee when purchasing drinks at bars, eateries, and stores. Whether it’s savoring a cold beverage under the Spanish sun or indulging in a bottle of wine with a seafood feast, these popular activities will become pricier. Spain is gearing up to implement a new bottle deposit system, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Under the upcoming regulations set by the Spanish Government, customers will incur an extra charge of approximately 10 cents for each bottled or canned drink bought. This fee, not classified as a tax but as a refundable deposit, will be clearly indicated on receipts. To reclaim the deposit, customers must return the empty containers to the original seller or designated collection points, equipped with machines that facilitate the process.
Supermarkets and retailers will be obligated to accept returns of plastic, glass, or aluminum bottles and cans, regardless of where the items were bought. Bars and restaurants will also adapt their systems to accommodate the bottle deposit requirement. These measures are slated to take effect in November 2026, with the aim of enhancing recycling rates and curbing environmental waste, aligning Spain with countries like Denmark, Germany, and Norway that have adopted similar initiatives.
In related news, Spanish airports are taking steps to alleviate border control congestion for British travelers following the introduction of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). AENA, the Spanish airport authority, is instructing staff to streamline processes and minimize wait times, particularly by redirecting certain passengers to alternative border control points when delays exceed 25 minutes. These adjustments seek to mitigate disruptions for Brits traveling to popular Spanish destinations.
