HORECA - SDR Portugal

The DRS is coming. This Friday, 6 February, two information sessions will take place focusing on product registration on the SDR Portugal Portal. Choose the session most relevant to your scope and join, with no prior registration required.

Session 1 (10:00–11:00): Final approval of pre-registrations, new products and product registration contract.
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Session 2 (11:30–12:00): Contract with collection point operators.
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The HORECA sector is part of the Deposit Return System (DRS), identified by the volta brand, through the proper management of single-use beverage packaging under 3 litres, such as plastic bottles and cans, after consumption.
Packaging may be returned through volta Points, volta Kiosks or collected directly from the establishment, subject to prior agreement with SDR Portugal. To access the direct collection service, establishments must register as volta participating establishments through the SDR Portugal portal.

Hotels, restaurants, cafés and other establishments within the sector handle a significant volume of packaging covered by the DRS on a daily basis, making their collaboration essential to achieving the European environmental targets, which establish a 90% collection rate by 2029.

Access the HORECA Establishment Guide

Learn more about the rules for the HORECA sector

Restaurants and beverage establishments

In situations where payment is made before consumption, the deposit value must be charged to the customer. At the end of consumption, the customer may return the packaging at the establishment where it was purchased, and proof of purchase may be requested.
In situations where payment is made after consumption, the deposit value should not be charged to the customer, except when the label or packaging is damaged. The packaging then remains with the establishment, which may recover the deposit value by returning it through volta Points or volta Kiosks, provided it meets the conditions required for acceptance by the system. Direct collection is also available for establishments registered as volta participating establishments, subject to an agreement with SDR Portugal. To register, establishments must access the SDR Portugal portal.

Establishments located in food courts

This includes food and beverage establishments located in shopping centres, airports or shared dining areas. Whenever a volta machine is available on-site, establishments may be exempt from taking back packaging. In such cases, customers may return the packaging directly through the volta machine and recover the deposit value.

Canteens, cafeterias and bars operated by public entities and companies

This includes canteens, cafeterias and bars operated by companies, schools, public entities and non-profit organisations intended exclusively for employees, students or members. As payment is generally made before consumption, the deposit value must be charged at the point of sale. These establishments are not required to accept packaging returns or refund the deposit value to customers, although they may do so voluntarily. Customers may recover the deposit value by returning the packaging through volta Points or volta Kiosks.

Fairs and Events (non-sedentary food and beverage services):

This includes festivals, concerts, sporting events, fairs, traditional celebrations and other temporary events. In such cases, the deposit value is charged to the customer at the moment of beverage purchase and may later be recovered through the return of the packaging. Whenever suitable conditions for packaging return are not available at the event itself, namely for reasons related to space or safety, packaging may be returned through the volta Points available at the venue or through other volta Points and volta Kiosks within the DRS network. Depending on the solution implemented by the organiser, the possibility of donating the deposit value may also be available.

Takeaway, home delivery or drive-in services

This includes takeaway services, drive-ins, home deliveries and other models where the purchased packaging accompanies the customer outside the point of sale. In such cases, the deposit value is charged at the moment of beverage purchase and, since the packaging remains in the customer’s possession after the sale, the establishment is not required to accept its return or provide the respective refund, although it may do so voluntarily. Packaging may therefore be returned later through volta Points or volta Kiosks, allowing customers to recover the deposit value.

Vending Machines

This includes beverage vending machines installed in public or private spaces. In such cases, the deposit value is automatically included in the price of the beverage at the moment of purchase and, since the packaging remains in the customer’s possession after the sale, the machine operator is not required to accept returns or provide refunds, although they may do so voluntarily. The recovery of the deposit value should therefore be carried out through volta Points or volta Kiosks.

General Note

Establishments with a take-back obligation may refuse packaging returns and the respective refund of the deposit value if the packaging is crushed, contains liquid, has no cap (in the case of bottles), or if the barcode or the volta symbol is illegible. In such situations, the packaging should be disposed of in the yellow recycling bin.

Hotels

In hotels, the DRS is integrated into existing operational flows, such as catering, minibars and support services. After consumption, beverage containers must be stored and directed to the nearest volta Points and volta Kiosks, where the €0.10 deposit per container is refunded. Containers may also be collected directly at the establishment (subject to a prior agreement with SDR Portugal).

Restaurants

In restaurants, beverage consumption occurs continuously. Beverage containers must be stored and later deposited at the nearest volta Points and volta Kiosks, where the €0.10 deposit per container is refunded. Containers may also be collected directly at the establishment (subject to a prior agreement with SDR Portugal).

Cafés

Cafés, as high-consumption venues, must store and return plastic bottles and cans at the nearest volta Points and volta Kiosks. At that moment, the €0.10 deposit per container is refunded. Containers may also be collected directly at the establishment (subject to a prior agreement with SDR Portugal).

Transparency in the presentation of the deposit value

Update price lists and menus, ensuring that the deposit value is presented separately from the product price in all materials.

Adaptation of billing systems

Adapt billing and sales systems, ensuring control of cash flow and verification of the volume of returned beverage containers.

Charging the deposit value in pre-consumption situations

Charge the deposit value for products covered by the DRS that are sold by the establishment, in cases where payment occurs before consumption.

Refund of the deposit value to the customer

Return the deposit value to customers for products sold by the establishment, upon delivery of the container in the appropriate condition and presentation of proof of purchase, when requested.

Management and storage of containers

Store only containers that were purchased at the establishment, while voluntarily accepting others if desired.

Learn how volta works for the HORECA sector, from the purchase of beverages to the return of the respective containers.

1. Purchase of products from a producer or distributor

2. HORECA establishment

3. Return of containers

The HORECA establishment pays the deposit amount at the time of purchase (not subject to VAT). This amount must be shown separately on the invoice, apart from the product price.

The application of the deposit value depends on the moment of payment. Select one of the options below to understand when the deposit should be charged:

You may return packaging covered by the Deposit Return System (DRS) through volta Points, volta Kiosks and HORECA establishments, provided the packaging was purchased at the respective location and the applicable exceptions are safeguarded. Establishments registered as volta participating establishments may also use the direct collection service, subject to an agreement with SDR Portugal. Registration as a participating establishment must be completed through the SDR Portugal Portal.

Note: Certain HORECA operating models may follow specific rules under the 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚 system. Please consult the “Types of HORECA Establishments” section for further information

Container return options

volta Points

2,500 automated machines located in supermarkets and hypermarkets.

volta Kiosks

50 Kiosks distributed across 38 municipalities, located in strategic urban areas, designed to receive large quantities of packaging at once and facilitate returns from the HORECA sector.

Direct Collection

Option available for establishments registered as volta participating establishments, subject to an agreement with SDR Portugal. Registration must be completed through the SDR Portugal portal.

Conditions for the correct return of containers.

Integrity

The container must be returned intact, with the cap attached in the case of plastic bottles, ensuring correct recognition by the system.

Identification

The container must display the volta symbol, ensuring its eligibility for return within the system.

Readability

The barcode must be legible to allow automatic validation.

Compatibility

Only single-use beverage containers smaller than 3 litres are accepted, namely plastic bottles and aluminium or steel cans.

Emptying

The container must be completely empty to avoid contamination and ensure proper processing.

For more information on the containers included in the Deposit and Return System, please consult the options below.

Technical Specifications

Accepted Container Types

The Deposit and Return System (DRS), identified by the volta brand, represents a new national model for the management of single-use beverage containers. The HORECA sector includes all establishments where beverages are consumed outside the home, and each business, regardless of its size or typology, contributes to the successful implementation of the DRS. This section brings together the most frequently asked questions about the integration of this sector.

What is the role of HORECA establishments in the implementation of volta?

The volta aims to collect as many packaging units as possible, with ambitious targets, including a 90% collection rate by 2029. The HORECA sector represents a network of approximately 80,000 establishments nationwide, where around 48% of consumed packaging is concentrated. As such, this channel plays a key role in the successful implementation of the system, ensuring the proper daily collection and return of packaging.

I am responsible for a HORECA establishment. What are my obligations under volta?

As the operator of a HORECA establishment or similar, you should take into account:

The obligation to charge the deposit value associated with volta-covered products you sell, ensuring it is itemised on invoices when payment is made before consumption;
The obligation to refund the deposit paid by customers for products sold by the establishment, upon return of the packaging in proper condition and presentation of proof of purchase, when requested;
The obligation to provide preliminary storage for beverage packaging purchased and consumed on your premises;
The obligation to update price lists and menus, ensuring that the deposit value is presented separately from the product price in all materials;
The obligation to adapt billing and sales software systems to enable control of cash flow and verification of packaging return volumes.

Which containers must I accept at my establishment?

HORECA establishments are only required to collect beverage containers that were purchased and consumed at their establishment. They may voluntarily accept other containers.

Where can I return empty containers?

There are three ways for HORECA establishments to return empty packaging:

Delivery at volta Points: such as supermarkets and hypermarkets;
Delivery at volta Kiosks: Collection Points equipped with machines that allow large quantities of packaging to be returned at once, located in urban areas with a higher concentration of HORECA establishments, with adapted hours and easy access;
Collection directly at the HORECA establishment: an option available only for locations registered with volta and with a formal agreement in place with SDR Portugal.

Do I have to charge the deposit value to the final customer?

There are two possible situations:
a) When payment is made before consumption (pre-payment, takeaway, self-service or home delivery), the deposit value for the purchased beverage containers must be charged to the final consumer. In these cases, the container usually remains in the consumer’s possession and it is their responsibility to return it. However, if the consumer so wishes, the deposit value paid must be refunded upon delivery of the container in proper conditions and presentation of the respective proof of purchase, when requested;
b) When payment is made after consumption, the deposit value must not be charged to the final consumer, except if the consumer keeps the container or if the label or container is damaged, preventing its identification. In these situations, the container usually remains at the HORECA establishment after consumption, and it is the establishment’s responsibility to return it.

I still have old stock in storage (“pre-volta” containers that are not accepted by SDR Portugal). What should I do?

A transition period was defined after the start of volta operations, during which both volta containers and “pre-volta” containers may coexist on the market.

volta operations started on 10 April 2026 and the transition period will last 120 (one hundred and twenty) days, ending on 9 August 2026. After this period, the purchase or sale of beverages in pre-volta containers will no longer be permitted. Retail and HORECA establishments will then only be allowed to sell volta containers, under penalty of constituting an infringement in the event of inspection by the Authorities.

Will the sale price of beverages increase?

No. The sale price of the product and the deposit value are different. The deposit value, charged at the time of purchase, is a refundable deposit that is returned when the container is returned. The sale price of the product must remain unchanged.

Is the customer obliged to return the container to my establishment?

No. Consumers may return containers at the various volta Points or at volta kiosks, available in mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions.
However, if the customer purchased a beverage at a HORECA establishment and wishes to return the empty container at the same location, the establishment must accept it, provided that the label and container are not damaged, and must immediately refund the deposit value. The establishment may require presentation of proof of purchase.

Have another question?

Contact us for more information.

HORECA Establishment Guide

DRS Glossary

FAQs

SDR Transition Period Guide

DRS Other Participants Agreement

Would you like to register as a volta participating establishment?
Access the SDR Portugal portal.

Access

HORECA Sector

Types of HORECA Establishments

Restaurants and beverage establishments

Establishments located in food courts

Canteens, cafeterias and bars operated by public entities and companies

Fairs and Events (non-sedentary food and beverage services):

Takeaway, home delivery or drive-in services

Vending Machines

General Note

Hotels

Restaurants

Cafés

HORECA Establishment Obligations

Transparency in the presentation of the deposit value

Adaptation of billing systems

Charging the deposit value in pre-consumption situations

Refund of the deposit value to the customer

Management and storage of containers

What changes with volta?

1. Purchase of products from a producer or distributor

1. Purchase of products from a producer or distributor

2. HORECA establishment

2. HORECA establishment

3. Return of containers

3. Return of containers

Pre-consumption Payment

Post-consumption Payment

Container return options

volta Points

volta Kiosks

Direct Collection

Return of containers

Integrity

Identification

Readability

Compatibility

Emptying

FAQs

What is the role of HORECA establishments in the implementation of volta?

I am responsible for a HORECA establishment. What are my obligations under volta?

Which containers must I accept at my establishment?

Where can I return empty containers?

Do I have to charge the deposit value to the final customer?

I still have old stock in storage (“pre-volta” containers that are not accepted by SDR Portugal). What should I do?

Will the sale price of beverages increase?

Is the customer obliged to return the container to my establishment?

Have another question?

Downloadable Documents

HORECA Establishment Guide

DRS Glossary

FAQs

SDR Transition Period Guide

DRS Other Participants Agreement

Access the SDR Portugal Portal

SDR Portugal

The System

Impact

SDR Portugal

The System

Impact

Register your establishment