Bathrooms in Germany?

Question

years ago, I heard a guy on the radio say he had just come back from a long visit to Germany. He noticed in everyone's home, the bathrooms, i.e. toilets, where always located right by the front door. He asked a friend why and was told that there is a law in Germany that says if anyone comes to your door and asks you to use the WC, you have to let them in. So they build their homes accordingly. Can someone confirm this is true? My niece just went to Germany so I asked her to check on this, but of course she couldn't be bothered. I asked a coworker who has friends in Germany, and they too have noticed the convenience located by the front door, but did not know about any laws. This is a mystery that has bugged me for years. Anyone out there know anything about this?

Answer 1

Germans are efficient. The most useful room up front.

Answer 2

No, this is definitely not mandated by legislation, sorry to break the myth. It is also not true that legislation requires people to let prospective toilet users in, can you imagine the implications - ransacking a German home would be a jiffy, wouldn't it? The ermans are too safety-minded for that. The reason why they like having an extra toilet by the entrance is this: Most german homes are built from stone and have a water outlet out fron to to supply ater for a garden hose for the front garden; that is just enough to also connect a toilet to, and it is ususally an extra toilet, or guest toilet. Germans prefer having an extra toilet for their guests, it's a privacy thing. Also, it allows the traditionally outdorrsy and garden-loving Germans to nip inside on a muddy day of gardening to use toilet without soiling the house.

Answer 3

i don't recall mandatory bathroom privileges being an issue in Germany -- interesting observation about the bathroom location though.

Answer 4

I am german, my toilet isn't remotely close to my
frontdoor and if someone would ring and ask to
use it I might allow it. I don't have to though.