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Is it safe to drink hot water from the tap in Sweden?

Why hot water from the tap is not for drinking or cooking, and what to use instead.

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Short answer

No, hot water from the tap in Sweden is not for drinking or cooking, and Svenskt Vatten advises never to drink it straight from the tap. Stockholm Vatten och Avfall says hot water is not a foodstuff and can dissolve copper from pipes. Use cold water and heat it yourself.

Planning and entry to Sweden Illustration of a water bottle, a luggage locker, a toilet sign and a clock

Why

  1. According to Svenskt Vatten, you should never drink the hot water straight from the tap, because it can contain harmful bacteria and small amounts of metals.
  2. According to Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, hot water is not a foodstuff and should never be used for cooking or drinks.
  3. According to Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, children are especially sensitive to copper, so baby food and formula should always be made with cold water that you heat yourself.

Details

Stockholm Vatten och Avfall says it supplies only cold water, and that it is not responsible for the quality of hot water. For the cold tap, Svenskt Vatten calls drinking water the country's most controlled foodstuff. Trip basics are in planning and entry to Sweden.

Tip

Fill the kettle or pot from the cold tap even when you want hot water, and use cold tap water for baby formula.

What may differ

In an apartment building the property owner is responsible for the hot water, and in a house the homeowner is, according to Stockholm Vatten och Avfall. If you are unsure about the hot water where you stay, ask your host.

Common misconception

Hot water from the tap is just as safe to drink as the cold water, only warmer.

What actually happens

According to Svenskt Vatten you should never drink the hot water straight from the tap, and according to Stockholm Vatten och Avfall hot water is not a foodstuff.

People also ask

  • Can you drink hot water from the tap in Sweden?
  • Is it safe to drink hot tap water?

Sources

Information checked on 28 October 2026.

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