What is the drinking age in Germany?

Asked by: Dr. Bernadette Sipes  |  Last update: December 1, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (34 votes)

The legal drinking age in Germany is 16 for beer and wine, and 18 for spirits and other distilled alcoholic beverages. This means that people who are 16 years of age or older are allowed to buy and consume beer and wine in public places such as bars, restaurants, and festivals.

Why is Germany's drinking age so low?

In contrast to many other countries, legislation is relatively lenient and not designed to keep young people away from alcohol, but rather intended to teach them an appropriate approach to alcohol consumption, which is reflected by one of the lowest drinking ages in the world.

Is 14 a drinking age in Germany?

Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to buy or drink alcohol. Teens who are 14 or 15 are allowed to drink beer, wine or sparkling wine only in the presence and with the permission of their parents or another person in a custodial role.

Which country has the lowest drinking age?

1. Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso is the country with the youngest drinking age at 13 years. Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa, a population 20.9 million (2020), has an area that expands to roughly 170,255 miles.

What drinks can you buy at 16 in Germany?

In Germany, it is legal to enjoy soft alcoholic drinks like beer and wine at the age of 16, whereas hard drinks like spirits and liqueurs are only allowed to adults over 18. So don't wonder if you see some youngsters having a beer – it is probably legal.

Alcohol Culture GERMANY vs. USA | Feli from Germany

32 related questions found

Can a US citizen drink in Germany at 16?

The legal drinking age in Germany is the same for both tourists and citizens. The legal drinking age for beer and wine is 16, while the legal drinking age for distilled spirits and other alcoholic beverages is 18. Tourists under the age of 18 are subject to the same drinking age restrictions as German citizens.

What is the drinking age in Japan?

In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.

What is Mexico's legal drinking age?

The minimum legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old. Mexico requires that young adults show photo identification, either a passport or driver's license, as proof of age when buying alcohol.

What is drinking age in Paris?

The legal drinking age in France is 18 years of age, both for the consumption or purchase of alcohol.

Can you drink at 14 in Italy?

The age limit for alcohol in Italy is 18 years. This means that it is illegal to sell alcohol to minors in shops, restaurants or bars. But there are no restrictions to enjoy it at home.

What is the drinking age in China?

The legal drinking age in China is 18 years old, meaning it is illegal for individuals under 18 to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.

What country is the drinking age 13?

Burkina Faso — Age to purchase is 13 for males, 16 for females. Burundi — Age to purchase is 18 unless accompanied by parent. Cambodia. Cameroon — Age to purchase is 18 on-premise, 21 off-premise.

What is the lowest drinking age in us?

In 1984, the Federal Government passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act and established 21 as the national minimum legal drinking age ("MLDA") age. It was phased in over a few years, and today all 50 states require one to be 21 or older to purchase alcohol.

Why is the drinking age so strict in America?

The legal drinking age was set at 21 years of age because studies showed that the leading cause of death among people aged 1 to 34 accounted for one third of deaths due to unintentional injury from alcohol consumption.

What's the drinking age in Canada?

A Brief History of MLDA Changes in Canada

increased their legal drinking age from 18 to 19 years; since this time there have been no further changes to the MLDA in Canada. Currently, the MLDA is 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 years in the rest of the Canadian provinces and territories.

Is Hawaii strict on drinking age?

The legal Hawaii drinking age is 21 years old. In Hawaii, minors are permitted to consume alcohol in a private area under the supervision of their parents or legal guardians, given that the parents or guardians are the ones providing the in such circumstances.

What is the drinking age in England?

If you're under 18, it's against the law: for someone to sell you alcohol. to buy or try to buy alcohol.

What is the drinking age in Korea?

Objective: In South Korea, individuals are legally allowed access to alcohol from January 1st of the year they turn 19. This study examined the effects of the legal drinking age laws in South Korea on alcohol consumption.

What's the legal age to drink in The Bahamas?

Drinking Laws -- Alcohol is sold in liquor stores and various convenience stores; it's readily available at all hours, though not for sale on Sundays. The legal drinking age in The Bahamas is 18.

What is the drinking age in Scotland?

It is an offence for a person under 18 to buy alcohol or drink alcohol in a pub. If you are under 18 you can have alcohol confiscated by the police if it is being drunk in a public place.

What is the drinking age in India?

In 2021, the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 years in the state of Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Sikkim, and Puducherry in India. In comparison, the legal age for drinking is 21 years in the capital city of India, Delhi.

What is the drinking age in Australia?

Laws that apply anywhere in Australia

Legal drinking age – you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol or to drink alcohol in a licensed venue. Selling alcohol – it's illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 or to someone who is already drunk.

Can you drink at 16 in China?

The legal drinking age in China is 18. According to Chinese law, parents or guardians should not allow minors to drink. In addition, the law states that alcohol shouldn't be sold to minors. Businesses should have signs, and ask for ID if they can't tell whether a person is an adult.

What is the drinking age in Greece?

The drinking age in Greece for US citizens or any other nationality is the same as the general legal drinking age in Greece, which is 18 years old. Regardless of your nationality, if you're visiting Greece and wish to consume alcohol, you must be at least 18 years old to do so legally.