A study by the European Environment Agency (EEA) says most beaches across Europe have “excellent” water quality suitable for swimming. The findings are released ahead of the summer season. According to the report, the vast majority of monitored beaches are rated at the highest level for water quality.

The EEA highlights that results vary by location. Coastal countries perform particularly well overall, and Austria is noted as an exception among inland areas, where inland water sites also appear among the top results. The EEA’s assessment uses standards applied to bathing waters to indicate whether water quality is consistently safe for recreational swimming.

The study’s publication is intended to provide a clearer picture of current conditions for beachgoers and authorities during the summer period. The report focuses on beaches that meet the highest classification of bathing water quality, with lower ratings applying to a smaller share of sites.