Portugal’s Volta deposit return system — one of the EU’s newer container recycling schemes — reaches a significant milestone on 10 August 2026. The initial six-month transition period that began at launch on 10 April 2026 comes to an end, meaning the full scheme is now in effect for all eligible containers sold across the country.
What the Volta Scheme Is
Volta applies a refundable deposit of €0.20 to most plastic bottles (up to 3 litres) and aluminium cans sold in Portugal. The deposit is added automatically at the point of purchase. Consumers recover it by returning empty, undamaged containers — still bearing their label — to a reverse vending machine (RVM) or to a participating retailer.
The scheme covers the vast majority of beverages including water, soft drinks, juice, beer and cider sold in the applicable container types. Wine and spirits bottles are excluded, as are containers over 3 litres.
What the Transition Period Ending Means
From 10 April to 10 August 2026, containers without the official Volta deposit mark could still legally circulate in the market — stock produced before the scheme launched could still be sold. After 10 August, all eligible containers sold must carry the deposit mark and the deposit charge applies without exception.
For visitors, this change is largely invisible. The effect is that you will now reliably encounter the deposit on any qualifying drink you buy, and reverse vending machines across the country will accept any eligible container you have from a recent purchase.
How to Get Your Deposit Back
The simplest method is a reverse vending machine, which are now installed in or near the entrance of most major supermarkets — Continente, Pingo Doce, Lidl, Aldi and Intermarché all have them. Feed in your empty bottles or cans, collect a printed voucher, and redeem it at the till or at a dedicated kiosk inside the store.
Smaller stores that do not have an RVM are required to accept manual returns under a certain volume, though in practice RVMs are the more reliable option.
For short-stay tourists, the most practical approach is to keep your bottles and cans from larger supermarket shops and return them on your next visit to the same or nearby store. Hotels and restaurants are not collection points for scheme purposes.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- The deposit appears as a separate line item on your supermarket receipt.
- You do not need a Portuguese bank card or app to redeem — the voucher prints directly from the machine and can be spent on any in-store purchase.
- Airport duty-free and sealed minibar products are typically outside the scheme’s scope.
- Bottles must be empty, reasonably clean, and label-intact to be accepted.
Our practical guide to Portugal covers other day-to-day rules for visitors — from payment norms to tipping customs — and our Lisbon guide has the city-specific information you need for the capital.
The Volta scheme is part of Portugal’s commitment to EU recycling targets. Neighbouring Spain launched a similar scheme (SDDR) on a comparable timeline, so travellers crossing the border will encounter a parallel system in both countries.