Toilet Index: what to expect from toilets abroad
Sources: Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency), Berliner Wasserbetriebe (Berlin water and wastewater utility), Bundesregierung (federal government), answer to a parliamentary question, Deutscher Bundestag Drucksache 21/3163 of 8 December 2025, Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt, Berlin, Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt, Berlin
According to a Stuttgart city press release of 9 September 2025, the newer automatic public toilets have a toilet seat that is cleaned automatically after every use.
Where this applies: Stuttgart city: the newer fully automatic public toilets (34 planned, some already open); as of the city's press release of 9 September 2025
All 278 of Berlin's automatic public toilets ('Berliner Toiletten') are unisex and step-free, built to the German accessible-building standard DIN 18040-1.
Where this applies: Berlin: the 278 automatic 'Berliner Toiletten' (not every public toilet in the city)
Accessible toilets at many motorway stops, stations, pedestrian zones, museums and public offices open with a Euro key (Euroschlüssel). The key is sold on proof of disability, which can be a doctor's note.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Accessible toilets in places that take part in the Euro key lock system
If you need a seat: None of the official pages read for this guide say what kind of bowl to expect in general. If you need a seated toilet, Stuttgart's newer automatic public toilets have a seat, and every automatic public toilet in Berlin is step-free. Elsewhere, look for the accessible toilet (barrierefreies WC); it may need a Euro key.
Accessible toilets: not covered yet.
Information unavailable
Ordinary toilet paper can go down the toilet. The Federal Environment Agency says it is made to break up quickly in water and that most wastewater operators tolerate it.
Where this applies: Toilets connected to the public sewer; general national advice, not a rule for any one public toilet
Do not flush kitchen roll or paper tissues: the Federal Environment Agency says they cause blockages. It says tampons and cotton buds must be screened out at the treatment plant. Berlin's water utility also lists wet wipes and sanitary pads among things that do not belong in the toilet.
Where this applies: Toilets connected to the public sewer; the national agency covers only kitchen roll, paper tissues, tampons and cotton buds. Wet wipes and sanitary pads are from Berlin's water utility alone
Berlin's water utility says used hygiene products and wipes go in household waste. It advises a small bin in the bathroom for them.
Where this applies: Berlin, advice for homes; the page does not say whether a public stall has a bin
Berlin's automatic public toilets clean themselves after every use, and are also cleaned by hand at least once a day.
Where this applies: Berlin: the 278 automatic 'Berliner Toiletten'
Stuttgart's newer automatic toilets include an accessible, family-friendly cabin with a fold-down changing table, a contactless soap dispenser, a hand dryer and an emergency call device.
Where this applies: Stuttgart city: the newer fully automatic public toilets
Cafes, restaurants and shops in Berlin's toilet scheme must have a basin, a soap dispenser, a hygienic hand-drying option and water flushing for toilets and urinals.
Where this applies: Berlin: venues that joined the pilot 'Berlin WC Kooperationsprogramm' (a programme requirement, not an inspection result)
Deutsche Bahn station toilets are run by outside partners and usually cost 1 euro. At 15 very busy stations they cost 1.50 euro.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Stations run by DB InfraGO AG, as reported by the federal government in December 2025
Station toilets by rail & fresh give you a voucher after you pay. At Berlin Ostbahnhof the fee is 1 euro and the voucher is worth 0.50 euro, usable at over 500 partners in stations. The Berlin and Munich main-station pages list cash and Girocard, and Berlin Hbf also lists Visa, Mastercard, phone wallets and PayPal.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: rail & fresh toilets at Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hbf and München Hbf
Berlin's automatic public toilets are cashless: pay 50 cents by bank card, phone wallet or app. The 107 of 278 that have free urinals attached are free for everyone.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Berlin: the 278 automatic 'Berliner Toiletten'; some older and park toilets are also free
Stuttgart's newer automatic public toilets are free to use and open around the clock.
Where this applies: Stuttgart city: the newer fully automatic public toilets
Berlin has a pilot scheme in which cafes, restaurants and shops with a sticker on the door let anyone use their toilet free, with no purchase needed. It began on 1 August 2026 and runs to the end of 2027; 13 venues took part in August 2026.
Where this applies: Berlin: participating venues only (pilot scheme)
At motorway service stops with Sanifair toilets you pay 1 euro and get a 1 euro voucher for one item in the shop. Coins from 10 cents to 2 euros work, and more stops take contactless payment. Accessible toilets and baby changing are free.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Sanifair toilets at Tank & Rast and partner motorway service stops (the FAQ describes the model introduced in November 2022, with the switch expected to finish by 5 December 2022, and is undated)
With a Euro key, accessible toilets are free at rail & fresh stations such as Berlin Ostbahnhof and at all of Berlin's automatic public toilets.
Where this applies: Accessible toilets at rail & fresh stations and Berlin's automatic public toilets
There is no nationwide rule on how many toilets a station must have or how it is equipped, according to the federal government.
Where this applies: Railway stations
For 153 stations the toilets belong to a third party or a municipality, and Deutsche Bahn does not know what they charge.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Stations run by DB InfraGO AG, December 2025 figures
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