Rules by country / Europe / Deposit return schemes in Europe
Deposit return schemes in Europe: what each one adds at the till
Most of Europe adds a deposit to drinks cans and plastic bottles at the till, from 10 cents in Portugal to 25 cents in Germany and Austria. Spain must start by November 2026 and the UK in October 2027. We plan prices and packs for brands selling in several countries.
Deposits checked on 25 October 2026. Enter the shelf price in the country's own currency.
One price and pack plan for every deposit
Your prices and packs with each country's deposit on top, in one plan for every market you sell in.
- How shoppers in each country react when the till price jumps
- The best shelf price for each pack, country by country, with the deposit on top
- Which multipacks to lead with where the deposit hits hardest
- One plan by country and retailer, and an Excel model
How your results look
| Pack | Deposit at the till | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Cola, 24 x 330ml, Germany | +€6.00 | Lead with the 12-pack |
| Water, 6 x 1.5 litres, Netherlands | +€1.50 | Hold the price |
| Beer, 4 x 500ml, Poland | +2.00 zł | Keep the price point |
Fictional products. Every real result comes with the expected sales and profit, and a likely range.
Your options
Every option has a fixed price, agreed before we start.
Price and pack plan
- The deposit and best choice for each product
- Price plan for each retailer
- Scenario model and a walk-through
Pricing review with the deposit
- Everything in the deposit review
- Prices and promotions for the whole range
- How your products take sales from each other
Portfolio review
- Everything in the pricing review
- More retailers and data sources
- A plan for each channel
After the project: a refresh before each pricing round, from £2,000 (about €2,400). Prices are fixed in pounds sterling; amounts in euros are a guide at October 2026 exchange rates. We're based in the UK and work remotely, in English, under NDA.
How it works
From the first call to your plan in about three weeks.
A free 15-minute call
Tell us about your range. We say whether a review would pay for itself, and quote a fixed price.
Your data
Sales by product and retailer, recipes and costs. We sign an NDA before anything moves.
Your plan
Prices and packs for each country's deposit, walked through with your team.
Deposit return schemes in Europe: the detail
Open only what you need.
- Germany
- 25 cents on single-use plastic bottles and cans since 2003, milk drinks in plastic bottles since 2024; refillable glass 8 or 15 cents
- Austria
- 25 cents on plastic bottles and cans since 1 January 2025
- Netherlands
- 15 cents on cans and plastic bottles up to 1 litre, 25 cents on larger bottles; a proposed rise was rejected
- Ireland
- 15 cents up to 500ml and 25 cents over 500ml, on plastic bottles and cans, since February 2024
- Finland
- 10 to 40 cents by container, 15 cents on a can
- Latvia
- 10 cents on plastic and glass bottles and cans, since February 2022
- Croatia
- 10 cents since 1 January 2025 (7 cents before); cartons and containers under 200ml join on 1 January 2027
- Portugal
- 10 cents on plastic bottles and cans since April 2026
- Spain
- At least 10 cents on plastic bottles, cans and cartons; legal deadline November 2026, start date not confirmed
- Poland
- 0.50 zł on plastic bottles and cans, 1 zł on reusable glass, since 1 October 2025
- Hungary
- HUF 50 on plastic, metal and glass containers, since January 2024
- Romania
- RON 0.50 on plastic, metal and glass containers, since November 2023
- Denmark
- 1 krone on cans and glass under 1 litre, 1.50 on plastic bottles under 1 litre, 3 on containers of 1 litre or more
- Sweden
- 2 kronor on cans and plastic bottles up to 1 litre, 3 on larger bottles, raised in 2025
- Norway
- 2 kroner under 1 litre, 3 over 1 litre
- United Kingdom
- 20p on cans and plastic bottles from 1 October 2027
Hold the price
Keep the shelf price and let the deposit show. Works when shoppers see past it.
Change the pack
The deposit is a bigger share of a small pack's price. Shift volume to sizes that carry it better.
Rethink promotions
A 24-pack's till price jumps the most. Check which deals still pay once shoppers see the deposit.
Which countries in Europe have a deposit return scheme?
Among others, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Latvia, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Spain must start by November 2026 and the UK on 1 October 2027.
How much is the bottle deposit in Germany?
25 cents on single-use plastic bottles and cans. Refillable glass bottles carry 8 or 15 cents.
How much is the deposit in the Netherlands?
15 cents on cans and plastic bottles up to 1 litre, and 25 cents on larger plastic bottles.
Which deposit schemes are changing next?
Spain's must start by November 2026, Croatia adds cartons and small containers on 1 January 2027, and the UK starts on 1 October 2027.
How much does a price and pack plan cost?
A review of up to 10 products has a fixed price from £7,500 (about €9,000) and takes about three weeks. For 11 to 50 products, a full pricing review costs around £17,500 (about €21,000). It starts with a free 15-minute call.
Do you work with brands selling in several European countries?
Yes. We work remotely and in English, under NDA, and can plan prices for every market in one project. Prices are fixed in pounds sterling before we start, and the first step is a free 15-minute call.
- Sensoneo, overview of deposit return schemes in Europe
- Dansk Retursystem, deposit marks and amounts
- Pantamera, increased deposit on beverage packaging 2025
- Infinitum, what can be deposited
- Verpact, deposit tariffs
- Total Croatia News, Croatia to expand bottle deposit scheme (August 2026)
- Palpa, materials for importers and breweries
Checked on 25 October 2026. Rules and rates change, so check the official source before making decisions. This page is not tax advice.