Can you drink at the age of 16 in Europe?
Asked by: Otha Ziemann | Last update: July 4, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (19 votes)
Yes, you can legally drink at 16 in several European countries, but generally only for beer, wine, or cider. While 18 is the standard age for purchasing spirits across Europe, countries like Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland allow 16-year-olds to purchase and consume fermented alcoholic beverages.
What European countries allow 16 year olds to drink?
Drinking Age in Europe I often get asked about the drinking age in Europe and it does vary from country to country. For the majority, 18 years of age is the standard, but five countries including #Gremany, #Austria, #Portugal, #Switzerland and #Belgium allow those 16 and older to drink #beer and #wine.
Can 16 year olds drink with parents in France?
The legal drinking age in France is currently 18-years-old, at which age residents and tourists alike can purchase alcohol or drink it in bars or restaurants. (Though from 16-years-old, French teens may order alcoholic beverages at restaurants in the presence of their adult guardians.)
Can 16 year olds drink with parents in Spain?
Spain has some omissions to the minimum legal drinking age when it comes to parental consent or supervision. As I discussed above, the legal drinking age in Spain is 18, but teenagers from 16 to 17 years old can enjoy certain alcoholic beverages with their parents at restaurants and home.
Is the drinking age 16 in the UK?
Yes, at 16 or 17 in the UK, you can legally drink beer, wine, or cider with a meal in a restaurant or pub if purchased by an adult. However, it is illegal for you to buy alcohol yourself or drink it in public places. Police can confiscate alcohol from you in public, and it is illegal for anyone under 18 to ask for alcohol.
What Is The Legal Drinking Age In France? - Europe Travel Pros
Where has a drinking age of 16?
At least eight countries and regions have set their MLDA at 16 years. These countries include Barbados, the British Virginia Islands, Cuba, Luxembourg, Panama, Serbia, Serbia, and Zimbabwe. In these countries, it is an offense for anyone to sell, give, or offer alcoholic drinks to people under the age of 16 years.
Is Japan strict on drinking age?
Yes, Japan is strict on the legal drinking age of 20, which is enforced nationwide for both locals and tourists, regardless of the age of majority being lowered to 18. While it is generally a safe country, underage drinking is illegal (Minors' Drinking Prohibition Law), and convenience stores and bars are legally required to verify age, often using digital screens.
Can 16 year olds go clubbing in Spain?
While Spain's legal drinking age is 18, nightclub entry policies can vary depending on the venue, the type of party, and the day of the week. In general, most clubs in Barcelona set the minimum age at 18 years old, especially for student nights, summer parties, and beachfront clubs.
What country is 13 the legal drinking age?
Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea. Here's a brief look at how not only the legal drinking age but the culture and parenting around alcohol consumption varies across countries.
Is 17 a minor in Spain?
Spanish law considers anyone aged 17 and under to be a minor.
Can 16 year olds drink with parents in Italy?
Well, while the legal drinking age in Italy is 18, minors are allowed to consume alcohol in certain circumstances. For example, minors are allowed to drink alcohol if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an adult who has been given permission by the minor's parent or guardian.
Is 16 the age of consent in France?
The minimum age of consent in France is 15, as specified by Article 227–25 of the Penal Code, which reads: "Except in the cases of rape or sexual assault provided for in Section 3 of Chapter II of this Title, the committing of sexual acts with a minor under the age of fifteen, for an adult, is punishable by seven years ...
Is 14 the drinking age in Germany?
Germany has a tiered legal drinking age: 16 Years Old: Legal to purchase and consume beer and wine. 18 Years Old: Legal to purchase and consume spirits and distilled beverages.
Can you drink at 16 in Portugal?
The legal drinking age in Portugal is 18 years old for all alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine. While 16-year-olds were previously allowed to purchase lower-alcohol beverages, the law was updated to 18 to align with European standards and restrict access to all alcohol for minors.
Do German parents allow teens to drink?
In Germany and Austria , it's 14 with parents present, 16 by yourself (for wine and beer only), and 18 for everything. Edit: It is only allowed in Germany when your parents are present. It's still illegal in Austria.
What is the safest drinking age?
It's important that, if they ultimately choose to drink, they don't start until age 21—Not only is that age the law, research shows people who start drinking after age 21 have a lower chance of developing AUD compared with people who start younger. Even for adults, any amount of drinking could be harmful.
What age can Russians drink?
In Russia, the legal age to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages is 18 years old. At this age, individuals can legally buy all types of alcohol, including vodka and beer. While there have been discussions and proposals to raise the age limit to 21, 18 remains the legal age as of early 2026.
Can you drink at 16 in Canada?
No, you cannot legally purchase or publicly consume alcohol at 16 in Canada. The minimum legal drinking age is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, and 19 in all other provinces and territories. Underage drinking laws are strict, and drinking at 16 is prohibited in public places and licensed establishments.
Where is the drinking age 5?
Most laws apply only to drinking alcohol in public places with alcohol consumption in the home being mostly unregulated (one of the exceptions being England and Wales, which have a minimum legal age of five for supervised consumption in private places).
Which country can you drink at 16?
Several countries, primarily in Europe and the Caribbean, allow16-year-olds to legally purchase or consume alcohol, typically beer and wine, rather than spirits. Examples include Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Serbia, Cuba, and Barbados.
Do bars in Spain ID you?
You likely won't be carded often but especially if you're just 18, you may look young enough to raise question. And often clubs will card, especially those that get a lot of tourists, which will almost certainly include places you go. Just keep it somewhere safe.
What can 16 year olds do in Spain?
SPORTS AND ACTION
In summer, many teenagers in Spain practice adventure sports such as canoeing, rafting, or climbing. In fact, there are many companies dedicated to adventure sports in the country. In winter, the same mountains that are alive and active in the summer become great places to ski or snowboard.
What is China's drinking age?
China's legal drinking and purchasing age is 18. Under the Minors Protection Law of China, businesses are prohibited from selling alcohol to anyone under this age.
Is 19 a minor in Japan?
No, a 19-year-old is not a minor in Japan.
What is the legal drinking age in Iceland?
The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years old. This applies both to purchasing alcohol at the state-run liquor stores and consuming it in bars or restaurants.