Do I get a deposit on cans and bottles in Austria?
Yes — most single-use plastic bottles and metal cans carry a deposit. Since 1 January 2025 a 25-cent deposit applies to all closed beverage containers of plastic or metal from 0.1 to 3 litres; the deposit is a flat 25 cent regardless of size. Deposit containers carry the Austrian deposit logo — only containers with the logo and a readable barcode are accepted. Every sales point that sells deposit containers must also take them back and pay out the 25 cent. For the refund the container must be empty, not crushed, with the label intact. In short: yes, 25 cent back, if the logo and barcode are recognisable.
📋 The rules
- 25 cent single-use deposit since 2025
- Plastic & metal, 0.1–3 litres
- Only with the deposit logo + readable barcode
- Return at any sales point
- Container empty, not crushed, label intact
🔓 Exceptions
- Exempt: cartons, milk, syrups, glass bottles
- On-site hospitality: no deposit; delivery/online yes
- Containers from abroad without the logo are refused
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The deposit is a flat 25 cent for 0.1–3 litres. A transition period ran until 31 December 2025: stock filled before 1 April 2025 without the logo could be sold without deposit until end-2025. Collection targets are 80% by 2025 and 90% by 2027. Beware a myth: "I can return any bottle or can, even from Germany or duty-free" is false — without the Austrian deposit logo and a readable barcode it's rejected; crushed or label-less containers too. Tip: return bottles uncrushed and watch for the deposit logo when shopping.
📎 Official sources
- oesterreich.gv.at · single-use deposit system →
- Recycling Pfand · about the deposit →
- WKO · deposit regulation →
❓ Frequently asked
Which containers carry a deposit?
Since 1 January 2025 a 25-cent single-use deposit applies to all closed beverage containers of plastic or metal with a fill volume of 0.1 to 3 litres. The deposit is a flat 25 cent regardless of size and applies to single-use plastic bottles and cans.
Where can I return the containers?
Every sales point that sells logo-marked deposit containers must also take them back and pay out the 25 cent, manually or via a return machine. So you don't have to return the container where you bought it.
What must the container meet?
For the refund the container must be empty and not crushed, the label must be intact, and the deposit logo and barcode must be recognisable. Crushed or label-less containers and those without the Austrian deposit logo are rejected by the machine.
Which containers are exempt?
Exempt include beverage cartons and Tetrapak, glass and metal bottles with a plastic cap, milk and milk-mix drinks for hygiene reasons, syrups, and bottles for medical or infant special foods. These go in the normal collection.
Can I return bottles from abroad?
No. Containers bought abroad without the Austrian deposit logo are refused on return and belong in the normal recycling collection. Only containers with the Austrian deposit logo and a readable barcode are accepted.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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