Future challenges for the wastewater treatment will be the compliance with low discharge limits for phosphorus and the recovery of phosphorus from wastewater. Under favourable wastewater conditions and optimal process operation the conventional P-elimination techniques can reliably and economically achieve phosphorus discharge values of approximately 0.5 mgL(-1) P-total. Lower phosphorus discharge values are reached by optimization of available or implementation of advanced P-elimination technologies. The possibilities for the phosphorus recovery are indicated on the basis of several processes. The present P-elimination technology influences strongly the choice of the P-recovery technique and the P-recovery degree. On the other hand, the P-recovery techniques can influence the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.