In Europe's top positions Greece remains in terms of bathing water quality, according to the 2025 bathing water report published by the European Environment Agency.

The country takes over second place between European States, as 97.1% of bathing points were assessed as ‘high quality’, confirming the timeless high purity of the Greek seas and coasts.

At the top of the ranking is Cyprus, with 100% of bathing water classified in the highest quality class. The following are the following: Bulgaria with 96.9% and Austria 96.5%.

High performance for Europe
The figures in the report reflect the significant improvement in the quality of European waters, as almost all bathing areas (96%) meet EU requirements; While only a very small percentage, of 1.5%, is assessed as of poor quality.

Coastal regions continue to show better performance in relation to inland waters. In particular, 88% of coastal waters in the EU were classified as of exceptional quality, compared with 78% of lakes, rivers and other inland water bodies.

Experts attribute this difference to the fact that inland waters are more vulnerable to short-term pollution incidents caused by severe rainfall, flooding or drought periods.

Which countries record the lowest performance
On the other hand, Albania recorded the lowest performance in Europe, as only 16.8% of its water was classified as of exceptional quality.

Low rates were also recorded in Estonia (56.9%), Poland (58.7%), Hungary (64%) and Belgium (67.9%). At the same time, in countries such as Estonia, the Netherlands and France, over 3% of bathing points assessed as poor quality.

As far as inland waters are concerned, Spain has shown the worst performance, with more than 11% of its rivers and lakes classified as poor quality.

The challenge of rivers
The situation of European rivers continues to raise particular concern. According to the report, just 47% of approximately 1,200 rivers bathing points in Europe achieved a 'high quality' rating.

The degradation of many river ecosystems is associated with long-term urbanisation, industrial activity, agricultural drains and overflowing of sewerage networks after heavy rainfall.

Despite the challenges, the European Environment Agency notes that the quality of many urban rivers has improved significantly in recent decades thanks to European water protection policies, now allowing safe swimming in several European cities.