Britons embarking on holidays to Spain will soon face an additional fee when purchasing beverages at bars, restaurants, and stores. Enjoying a drink under the Spanish sun or savoring a meal with a bottle of wine may become pricier as Spain plans to implement a new bottle deposit system. This initiative, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, will require customers to pay a supplementary charge of approximately 10 cents for each bottled or canned beverage bought at the point of sale.
Rather than a tax, this fee is a refundable deposit, contingent on returning the empty container. The deposit amount, clearly indicated on the bill, can be reclaimed by bringing back the empty bottle or can to the original seller or an authorized collection point. To facilitate the return process, machines equipped to scan barcodes and issue refunds in cash or vouchers will be installed across Spain.
Supermarkets and retailers will be mandated to accept returned plastic, glass, or aluminum containers, irrespective of where they were purchased. Simultaneously, bars and restaurants will need to update their systems to accommodate the bottle deposit scheme. These regulations are expected to be enforced starting November 2026, aiming to promote recycling efforts and decrease environmental waste, aligning Spain with other European countries like Denmark, Germany, and Norway that have adopted similar measures.
In related news, Spanish airports are taking steps to address border control issues for British travelers following the implementation of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System. AENA, the Spanish airport authority, is working to streamline processes and reduce wait times, especially for families with young children and passengers with reduced mobility. These adjustments aim to mitigate disruptions for Britons visiting popular Spanish destinations.