Vienna’s toilet fees spark gender equality debate in court

In Vienna, a woman is taking legal action against the city council over her complaint of gender discrimination regarding public toilet access. Melanie Gradik, 27, alleges that women are required to pay 50 cents to use cubicles, while men can use urinals for free. This situation arose when she and her male friend needed to use the restroom in Augarten park, with her friend enjoying free access while she had to pay.

Gradik emphasizes that this issue is not solely about the cost, but rather a symbol of how women are treated unequally in everyday life.

Gradik's lawyer, Petra Laback, argues that charging women for public toilets, while offering free urinals for men, constitutes unequal treatment and a violation of the city's anti-discrimination laws. If Gradik's case is successful, it could potentially set a precedent for other Austrian municipalities. Currently, out of Vienna's 168 public toilet facilities, 29 of them charge a 50 cent fee due to the presence of attendants.

Sandra Holzinger, a spokeswoman for the municipality, explains that these fees are necessary for organizational reasons, such as ensuring proper use and cleanliness in busy areas.

However, law professor Anna Gamper from the University of Innsbruck questions the rationale behind charging women more for using public toilets. According to Austrian law, any distinction made based on gender must have a clear, objective justification. Gamper argues that, based on the cost of building, maintaining, and cleaning both cubicles and urinals, there is no objective justification for charging women more.

She contends that women should not be financially disadvantaged because of their anatomy or for safety reasons, as they may require cubicles for such purposes.

The city of Vienna's efforts to promote gender equality are evident in their pledge to expand public toilet provision and examine the possibility of making them free for everyone. In the Augarten park, new public toilets opened in 2025 showcase the potential for free and accessible facilities. These modern toilets feature curved ceramic facades, daylight from skylights, accessibility features, and drinking fountains, all while being available to both men and women.