Fed up with shelling out cash for unpleasant restroom experiences in haunted houses.
In some regions across Europe, a controversial trend has emerged - the imposition of charges for public toilet use, often referred to as "pee fees." This development has sparked debate among residents and travellers alike, with many questioning the fairness and practicality of such charges.
One such critic is a journalist who recently encountered a 50 cent charge for using the toilet at a McDonald's restaurant between Bavaria and Saxony. The author finds this additional cost a rip-off, especially when considering that some fast-food chains now charge for toilet use. The journalist also questions the effectiveness of harsh penalties for public urination if the basic problem of a lack of clean, free toilets is not solved.
In contrast, fines for public urination can reach up to 5,000 euros in some regions. However, the author argues that these penalties may not be an effective deterrent if people are forced to relieve themselves in the bushes due to the lack of accessible, clean, and free public facilities.
The author's colleague from Switzerland shares a similar sentiment, describing free highway toilets as looking like sets from a horror movie. No alternatives to pay-to-use toilets along the highway were deemed acceptable by the author.
The debate over pee fees is not limited to Germany. In some regions, there is a discount voucher for pay-to-use toilets, but it is useless to the author if they have already paid for their meal. This issue is further complicated by the fact that fines for public urination can be imposed in certain areas.
However, not all European countries face the same challenges. In the Netherlands, for example, free public toilets can be found, and one such facility was described as being suitable for an Instagram photoshoot, with cleanliness, soft music, and bird song. The Netherlands charges 80 cents per use for public toilets, which is still better than some fast-food restaurant toilets for almost the same price.
The debate over pee fees has even reached the courts. A man in Germany was initially fined for disturbing the public by a grossly indecent act, but the court ruled in his favor, stating that everyone has equal rights under the sky. Similarly, the district court of Lübeck acquitted a man who urinated at the Baltic Sea shore in summer 2022.
Despite these rulings, the author finds the lack of free public toilets in some regions frustrating, as it forces some people to relieve themselves in the bushes. The journalist calls for more investment in clean, free, and accessible public facilities to address this issue and prevent the need for pee fees.
