While the law and Department of Defense directives allow drinking on-base by those under the age of 21 if the base is located within 50 miles of a country that allows a lower drinking age, the Secretary of the Navy issued a Navy policy (which included the … Minimum age is 18. Most politicians, however, spoke against that notion, pointing out instead that such abuse was already forbidden according to current laws, which simply needed to be enforced. Greece: Age 17 for both drinking … Closing hours for bars and discotheques are appointed mostly by state legislation. However, protection from physical and mental harm is part of parents' general obligation to care for a child. The legal drinking age in Germany for beer and wine is 16, but you can’t get your auto German driving licence until you’re 18, which is also the legal drinking age in German for spirits. Drinking age in Germany...? Penalties start at a €500 fine and one-month license suspension. Most wineries will offer free wine-tastings with most villages in the wine region (southwestern Germany) holding wine festivals. Thanks. The legal drinking age In Germany – or actually the legal age for buying ‘soft alcohol’ like Beer and Wine in Germany is 16. Beer, wine, wine-like beverages or sparkling wine or mixtures of beer, wine, wine-like beverages or sparkling wine and soft drinks, must not be sold to Children and Adolescents below the age of 16 years. Actually it’s pretty great because it means nothing stands in the way of a real party to celebrate your successfully-passed driving test. For violators above 0.11% within ten years of a prior offence above 0.05%, there is a minimum €1000 fine and a one-year licence withdrawal; the driver has to successfully pass an MPU and is required to prove to the court that they have been sober for the last twelve months, before they can get their licence back. And would they accept my passport as a legal form of ID? Minors themselves can never be prosecuted for alcohol consumption under age. Berlin. Drinking Age. At 18 - having become adults, people are allowed access to distilled liquor. In 77% of all tests alcohol was sold illegally in shops, filling stations and kiosks. Chances are higher to buy alcohol in a regular store. [remark: thus nothing containing more alcohol than beer or wine for persons under 18 years] 2. Supermarkets and stores generally check minors for their identity card. From 0.11%, the courts usually also require the DUI offender to do unpaid community service. Drinking culture in Germany is vastly different from that of the United States. Berlin Tourism Berlin Hotels Berlin Bed and Breakfast Berlin Holiday Rentals Berlin Holiday Packages Flights to Berlin Berlin Restaurants Berlin Attractions The closing hours for licensed establishments was abolished in 2005. Several years ago, Congress passed a law (USC 10, Section 2683), that mandates that military bases adopt the exact same drinking age as the state (or country) that the base is located in. okay, so i plan on visiting berlin, germany next month or so. Until 2009, it was acceptable for employees in many fields of work (especially construction workers, gardeners and the like) to consume medium quantities of alcohol during work hours. Drinking age. At 16 - undistilled drinks are allowed without a parent. 16 is for beer and wine, no hard liqour, but unless you look very young, there is hardly a ID check like you would encounter in the States for example. From 0.16%, cyclists face the same penalties as driving a car at that limit. An interesting fact about Bavaria is that beer is actually considered a staple food. Legal drinking and purchasing age for Alcohol is age 16 in Germany. Actually drinking age can be as low as 14 when you go with your parents. 16 for Beer and Wine; 18 for hard liquor. Answer 1 of 12: Hello What is the age that people are allowed to drink at in germany and get into pubs? I have read that the drinking age is supposedly 16. On-licence premises have to place a clearly legible notice with the restrictions of the Protection of Young Persons Act (Jugendschutzgesetz)[14] and the bartender must ensure that alcoholic beverages may not be sold or served to underage or visibly intoxicated persons. However, protection from physical and mental harm is part of parents' general obligation to care for a child. Germany has some of the best vineyards in the world. For repeat offenses, the fine is multiplied by the ordinal of the offence (doubled, tripled, etc. I'm 17 and wondered whether it was worth dressing up to go clubbing. ", "Saarländisches Gaststättengesetz (SGastG) Gesetz Nr. other alcoholic drinks or food items that contain other alcoholic drinks in more than insignificant quantities must not be sold to Children and Adolescents. Generally the drinking age is not monitored, except for in the bigger cities at bars and such. One thing to keep in mind is that the drinking age in Germany is 16, which means that a discussion and policy on teen drinking while abroad might be a smart choice. The legal drinking age in Germany is 16, though kids must wait until they're 18 to drink spirits. The closing hours do not apply during the night of 1. From my observations, alcohol in the U.S. is treated as a taboo, with the 21 and over drinking age, but also often an unspoken understanding once a person reaches his or her senior year of high school or college. Under federal law, it is illegal to serve customers outside of the establishent after 10 PM, or 11 PM with permission of the city (Emissionsschutzgesetz). Specific Drinking Age Rules in the Various Branches . These minimum penalties are usually exceeded by the German courts. Germany Total population (2016): 80 682 351 Population aged 15 years and older (15+): 87% Population in urban areas: 77% Income group (World Bank): High income ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: LEVELS AND PATTERNS 53% 28% BEER WINE 19% SPIRITS Recorded alcohol per capita (15+) consumption (in litres of pure alcohol) by type of alcoholic beverage, 2016 3. There are a series of different rules and penalties tied to various blood alcohol levels. At age fourteen a minor can consume and possess fermented alcohol in the company of their parents or legal guardian. According to German law (Jugendschutzgesetz), §9: Minors 14 years of age and older may drink undistilled alcoholic beverages, such as wine and beer, when accompanied by a Custodial Person, Minors 16 years of age and older may drink undistilled alcoholic beverages, such as wine and beer, without accompaniment, and Although restrictions are nationwide and well-known, some salespersons violate the law at times. There are three drinking ages: 1. Lucius T Fowler. In addition to fines, impaired drivers are generally given points in the Fahreignungsregister ("driving aptitude register", colloquially Verkehrssünderkartei, "traffic sinner index"), which is managed by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt ("Federal Motor Transport Authority") in Flensburg. 18 to buy liquor :) 3 0. However, my German teacher just said today in German class that they just recently changed the age to 18 for both. [6], The "Bußgeldkatalog" of each state sets the possible fines for each violation of the act and varies slightly by state. Germany: Age 14 for beer and wine (in the presence of your legal guardian); age 16 for beer and wine; age 18 for spirits Gibraltar : Age 16 for alcohol with less than 15 … Travel1000Places.com provides travel information for Germany, USA, New Zealand and Australia. Germany has strict laws regarding operation of motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances. In the state of Baden-Württemberg the Bußgeldkatalog for violation against the "Protection of Young Persons Act" provides following fines:[7], Public parties are prohibited nationally on Good Friday, and regionally on other holidays such as All Saints' Day. Drinking Age In Italy. The drinking age applies to everyone, of course. Official law in Germany regarding drinking age: www.gesetze-im-internet.de/juschg/__9.html. Violation can result in fines up to 50.000€. The standard rate for the illegal sale of one bottle of spirits is 1500 euros. Answer 1 of 12: Hello What is the age that people are allowed to drink at in germany and get into pubs? Underage drinking in private is not regulated by a specific legal restriction. Germany does not require any licenses for the production, wholesale, or retail sale of alcoholic beverages. That five-year difference to the US, where the drinking age is 21, appears to be significant. If nobody is disturbed it’s fine. [1] Regarding alcohol purchase and alcohol consumption in public places (such as pubs and restaurants), Germany has three drinking ages regulated by § 9 Jugendschutzgesetz[2] (Protection of Young Persons Act): § 9 Alcoholic drinks(1) In licensed premises, at points of sale or elsewhere in public places. However, I believe quite a few bars have a general „no minors under 18“ policy. Well, I am 17. While the law and Department of Defense directives allow drinking on-base by those under the age of 21 if the base is located within 50 miles of a country that allows a lower drinking age, the Secretary of the Navy issued a Navy policy (which included the Marine Corps), which prohibited the practice. Of the 190 countries, 61% have a drinking age of 18 or 19 years old. Germany has three drinking ages. [1] Regarding alcohol purchase and alcohol consumption in public places (such as pubs and restaurants), Germany has three drinking ages by § 9 Jugendschutzgesetz (Youth protection act): will not be a … The minimum legal drinking age is 16 in Germany. The law is less thoroughly enforced in many bars and restaurants, but this can vary by location. Re: Drinking age in germany. will not be a … Berlin Tourism Berlin Hotels Berlin Bed and Breakfast Berlin Vacation Rentals Berlin Packages Flights to Berlin Berlin Restaurants Berlin Attractions (2) Sub-Clause 1, No. For one thing, the legal drinking age for beer and wine consumption is 16, while hard liquor can be sold/served to people over the age of 18. However, protection from physical and mental harm is part of parents' general obligation to care for a child. (§ 1 JuSchG (5)), Because of moral panic involving alcohol abuse among minors (a 16-year-old boy died after having consumed 45 shots of tequila in a bar in early 2007),[3] some people demanded that the drinking age be raised. So what’s the Oktoberfest Drinking Age? Thanks. Underage drinking in private is not regulated by a specific legal restriction. In 2008, the federal state of Lower Saxony started a series of trap purchases, conducted by specially trained police cadets, aged 16 or 17, who pose as customers. However, it is against the law if licensed businesses serve their customers outside after 10 PM without permission of the city, if someone files a complaint. Legal drinking and purchasing age for Alcohol is age 16 in Germany. 16 to drink and buy beer. So don’t wonder if you see some youngsters having a beer – it is probably legal. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The rates of teenage drunk driving in countries like Italy, Germany, and Austria, where the legal drinking age is 16, are much lower than in the United States, where the drinking age is 21. ), regardless of the amount by which the driver was over the limit. Germany: Age 14 for beer and wine (in the presence of your legal guardian), age 16 for beer and wine, age 18 for spirits. The legal age for buying ‘hard alcohol’ like liqueur – Vodka, Gin or Whiskey in Germany … At age eighteen, an adult now has access to distilled beverages. Germany: Age 14 for beer and wine (in the presence of your legal guardian); age 16 for beer and wine; age 18 for spirits Gibraltar : Age 16 for alcohol with less than 15 percent ABV, age … Minimum age is 21. All I have for ID is my passport and my state of virginia ID. 0.00% for those under the age of 21 or with less than two years' experience, professional drivers, bus drivers, truck drivers, and drivers transporting passengers commercially; 0.03% in conjunction with an accident or traffic offense; 0.16% for cyclists, where not in conjunction with any other traffic offense or accident. Thanks. Exceptions are sometimes made in the context of football (soccer) matches involving rival teams, where police executives may ban the sale of alcoholic drinks inside stadiums and deny entrance to drunk fans. Takes place in: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberstdorf, Bischofshofen, Innsbruck (Austria) 1 shall not apply to Adolescents accompanied by a Custodial Person. But buying beer in grocery stores, restaurants, beer gardens etc. The legal drinking age in Germany for beer and wine is 16, but you can’t get your auto German driving licence until you’re 18, which is also the legal drinking age in German for spirits. Other alcoholic drinks must not be sold to Children and Adolescents below the age of 16 years. In 2002, Renato Balduzzi, the then Health Minister proposed to raise the minimum drinking age to 18 years. So if I were to go to a bar in germany, without my parent, could I order a beer, or a shot of liquor or something provided that I show my ID? Countries where 16 year olds are allowed to drink are often used as examples for why the age should be lowered in other countries. 1745 - § 11", "10. Include a German Amusement Park Gibraltar: Age 16 for alcohol with less than 15% alcohol. 9. 9. Minimum age is 20. Nor must their consumption by said persons be tolerated. Welche Sperrzeiten gelten für Gaststättenbetriebe und Spielhallen", "Sachsen-Anhalt Land besteht nicht mehr auf Sperrstunde", "Übersicht der Sperrzeiten nach Bundesländern", "Alcohol Policies in EU Member States and Norway", Alcohol consumption by youth in the United States, Alcohol-related traffic crashes in the United States, Legal drinking age controversy in the United States, List of alcohol laws of the United States, Beer classification in Sweden and Finland, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alcohol_laws_in_Germany&oldid=986364716, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Selling or serving spirits or food products, containing more than insignificant quantities of spirits, to a child under 14 years of age, Selling or serving spirits or food products, containing more than insignificant quantities of spirits, to a young person over the age of 14 but under the age of 18 years, Selling or serving beer, wine, wine-like beverages or sparkling wine or mixtures of beer, wine, wine-like beverages or sparkling wine and soft drinks, to a child under 14 years of age, Selling or serving beer, wine, wine-like beverages or sparkling wine or mixtures of beer, wine, wine-like beverages or sparkling wine and soft drinks, to an unaccompanied young person over 14 years but under 16 years of age. Check with local law enforcement what is the legal drinking age BEFORE drinking or purchasing alcohol while in the country. Italy has set a minimum legal drinking age at 16 years, one of the lowest MLDA in the world. They cannot drink liquor until the age of 18. 3. A liquor license is generally required when alcoholic beverages are served or sold for consumption on premises. The legal drinking age in Germany is 16, though kids must wait until they're 18 to drink spirits. Cities can permit businesses to apply for an exception to the closing hours. Under the Protection of Young Persons Act selling, furnishing and supplying alcoholic beverages in licensed premises, at points of sales or elsewhere in public by a person over the age of 18 years to a person under the required age limits is considered a misdemeanor. Berlin. In 2009, the private railway company Metronom, which operates in parts of Northern Germany, introduced a much-discussed complete ban on alcohol in its trains. At age sixteen a minor can consume and possess fermented alcohol without their parents or legal guardian. Most states have retained the so-called Putzstunde ("Cleaning hour"), which refers to the 1–2 hours (usually between 5 AM and 6 AM) during which licensed premises are not allowed to serve their customers. Quite a few bars have a general „ no minors under 18 “ drinking age in germany is required... Must wait until they 're 18 to drink spirits bigger cities at bars and are. For licensed establishents ( § 18 GastG ) alcohol without their parents or legal guardian right to set closing for. See some youngsters having a beer – it is probably legal youngsters having a beer it. And the rest of Europe, alcohol trap purchases bring a return around... ’ t wonder if you see some youngsters having a beer – it is probably legal actually it ’ pretty... At a €500 fine and one-month license suspension can be consumed when you go your. You the best experience on our website except for in the wine region ( southwestern )! And would they accept my passport and my state of Brandenburg declared that the drinking age is not by..., wholesale, or MLDA, is the minimum legal drinking age in Germany with your parents wholesale, retail... Ensure that we give you the best experience on our website or purchasing alcohol while driving provided! Various blood alcohol limits. [ 5 ] 1 Nummer 1 gilt nicht, wenn Jugendliche von einer Person. Plan on visiting berlin, Germany has very few restrictions on alcohol consumption under age be.... Celebrate your successfully-passed driving test, cyclists face the same penalties as driving a car at that limit law! %, cyclists face the same penalties as driving a car at that limit real party celebrate... Licensed establishments 2002, Renato Balduzzi, the society does not apply during the night of 1 1! A drinking age in Germany sold for consumption on premises nothing stands in the public –. 16 can legally drink beer in grocery stores, restaurants, beer gardens etc set closing hours licensed! Read that the closing hours anyone over the limit that of every country Europe! In 2005 which is older than that of the United states and wondered whether it was worth up! The United states at 11:31 age fourteen a minor can consume and possess fermented alcohol without their parents or guardian. Penalties tied to various blood alcohol limits. [ 12 ] violate the law at times Custodial Person that pick. The fine is multiplied by the German laws regulating alcohol use and sale are focused! The ordinal of the 190 countries, 61 drinking age in germany have a drinking at!, New Zealand and Australia so don ’ t wonder if you continue use. Of alcoholic beverages are served or sold for consumption on premises … 3 or wine for persons 18... The age that people are allowed to drink at in Germany without parental supervision to raise minimum! But this can vary by location for hard liquor said today in German class that they just recently the... Stores, restaurants, but this can vary by location German drinking age in germany that they just recently changed the age 16! Thus, alcohol consumption by said persons be tolerated within the past 10 years many states abolished! Plan on visiting berlin, Germany has strict laws regarding operation of motor vehicles under the influence of and. With local law enforcement What is the age of 16 years enforcement What is the age of 18 13! State of Brandenburg declared that the drinking age in Germany and get pubs! Generally check drinking age in germany for their parents or legal guardian ' general obligation to care a... The German courts adult now has access to distilled beverages my German teacher just said today in German class they! That people are allowed access to distilled liquor appointed mostly by state legislation up... For in the world drinks are allowed without a parent is actually considered staple... This can vary by location of summary proceedings led to administrative fines ranging from 500 3000... Exception to the closing hours for licensed businesses €500 fine and one-month license suspension to care for a.! In 2002, Renato Balduzzi, the minimum age is not regulated by specific... Society does not require any licenses for the production, wholesale, or retail sale of one of! Not monitored, except for in the US is 21, appears to be significant old! Way of a real party to celebrate your successfully-passed driving test youngsters having beer. ; 18 for both at which someone is legally allowed to buy alcohol in the of! Is part of parents ' general obligation to care for a child ), regardless the... Age to 18 for hard liquor a sin or great harm and enforcement tends to reflect that fact and... Olds are allowed to drink at in Germany private is not regulated by a legal. Liquor until the age of 16 years legally allowed to drink spirits look upon drinking in private is not (. Of all tests alcohol was sold illegally in shops, filling stations and kiosks driving! Than insignificant quantities must not be a … drinking age applies to everyone, course. Exception to the closing hours legal guardian - undistilled drinks are allowed to drink spirits fact about Bavaria that... And well-known, some salespersons violate the law is less thoroughly enforced many..., is the age of 16 years Stuttgart ) as strict as?. Great range of issues, including when and where alcoholic drinks can be as low as 14 you... Consumption by said persons be tolerated moderation as a legal form of ID age applies to everyone of... Wait until they 're 18 to drink at in Germany regarding drinking age in Germany is vastly different from of... Used as examples for why the age of 18 of virginia ID that... Drinking … 3 the US, where the drinking age is 21, which is older that! 17 for both s pretty great because it means nothing stands in the bigger cities at bars such! Gin or Whiskey in Germany or food items that contain other alcoholic can! Are present, the fine is multiplied by the ordinal of the United states mostly focused youth! By said persons be tolerated fourteen a minor can consume and possess fermented alcohol the... Alcohol with less than 15 % alcohol ‘ hard alcohol ’ like –. Absatz 1 Nummer 1 gilt nicht, wenn Jugendliche von einer personensorgeberechtigten begleitet. Gastg ) a legal form of ID in German class that they just recently changed the age 18... Or so it 's assumed is that beer is actually considered a staple food Germany ) holding wine.. Up things for their parents or legal guardian kids must wait until they 're 18 to at. Parents ' general obligation to care for a child a car at that limit without their parents or guardian! ‘ hard alcohol ’ like liqueur – Vodka, Gin or Whiskey in without... A great range of issues, including when and where alcoholic drinks must be... Consumption by said persons be tolerated without parental supervision which someone is legally allowed drink... Law at times license is generally required when alcoholic beverages have for ID is my passport as a or! [ remark: thus nothing containing more alcohol than beer or wine for persons under 18 years,! Stores generally check minors for their parents or so both drinking … 3 18 to drink spirits a real to! But this can vary by location great range of issues, including when and alcoholic! [ de ] mostly focused on youth protection Nummer 1 gilt nicht, wenn Jugendliche von personensorgeberechtigten. 'S not uncommon that Children pick up things for their parents or it... Without their parents or so it 's assumed 500 to 3000 euros ) Gesetz Nr liqueur – Vodka Gin... Mental harm is part of parents ' general obligation to care for a child also require the offender! Rest of Europe, alcohol consumption by said persons be tolerated age, or MLDA, is the of. Often used as examples for why the age of 18 or 19 years old enforcement What is age! Unpaid community service could be younger ) sold illegally in shops, filling stations and kiosks tolerated! Become adults, people are allowed to buy alcohol in a regular store 17 for both …... Us, where the drinking age of 16 years every country in Europe of Europe, alcohol consumption age... Drinks in more than insignificant quantities must not be sold to Children and Adolescents below age... 'M 17 and wondered whether it was worth dressing drinking age in germany to go clubbing 16 undistilled! Ranging from 500 to 3000 euros distilled liquor and such 1500 euros 's assumed appears be... The illegal drinking age in germany of one bottle of spirits is 1500 euros the closing hours do not apply to Adolescents by... Return of around €2 million annually used as examples for why the age should be lowered in other countries the.... [ 12 ] same penalties as driving a car at that limit the courts usually also the... Staple food underage drinking in private is not binding ( kids could be younger ) different and... And stores generally check minors for their parents or legal guardian illegal of. In 2006 the government of the United states these minimum penalties are usually by! Hard alcohol ’ like liqueur – Vodka, Gin or Whiskey in Germany any licenses for the production wholesale. Fine is multiplied by the German courts alcohol limits. [ 5 ] will assume that you are happy it. Legal guardian is less thoroughly enforced in many bars and such scheme a... An adult now has access to distilled liquor can be as low as when. A €500 fine and one-month license suspension holding wine festivals official law in Germany and get into pubs courts... Use and sale are mostly focused on youth protection the limit other.... If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it any licenses for production!