Albania is the only country that has no age limit, and Moldova, Cyprus, and Malta are the only ones to have 17 years as the age limit. legal drinking age in europe? However, selling alcoholic drinks to children under the age of 18 years in premises is considered illegal and attracts a fine of €250 to €1000. Das Alkoholersterwerbsalter bezeichnet das Mindestalter, welches eine Person erreicht haben muss, um alkoholische Getränke käuflich zu erwerben oder zu konsumieren. In 2016, the country with the highest percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds reporting heavy episodic drinking was Luxembourg, with 54%, according to WHO. In 2002, Renato Balduzzi, the then Health Minister proposed to raise the minimum drinking age to 18 years. And most importantly, a late legal drinking age saves lives. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com, 15- to 19-year-olds reporting heavy episodic drinking. 9 years ago. Note that the legal drinking age is 14 in Germany for beer, wine and cider if accompanied. Denmark. Countries with a legal drinking age at the top end of the scale include Lithuania and Iceland at 20. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10Best, Michelin Guide, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Jetsetter. Here's a list of the legal drinking and purchasing ages for every country in Europe. And of those that have higher legal drinking ages, the average age is 18.6.The enforcement of minimum legal drinking ages also varies widely between countries. While Denmark doesn't have a legal drinking age, you can only buy beer, wine, etc. There is some debate over whether a younger legal drinking age is better in the long run for the wellbeing of youth and others, or if it is more beneficial to delay it. so does it have to be past my birthday month or just the year 2012? Where the rate of drinking teenagers is concerned, however, MLDA 18 is statistically incorrect. All this being partially true, statistics present a strong case in favor of a delayed legal drinking age. In most places in Europe, you can buy and drink alcohol of any kind if you're over 18. Answer Save. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than  one-fifth of the European population aged 15 and older reported drinking heavily at least once a week. The 2003 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) surveyed 15-year-olds in 35 European countries where legal drinking ages are lower (typically ages 16–18) than in the United States. Also, there are more young people at the age of 13, in … The enforcement of minimum legal drinking ages also varies widely between countries. Regarding alcohol purchase and alcohol consumption in public places (such as pubs and restaurants), Germany has three drinking ages regulated by § 9 Jugendschutzgesetz (Protection of Young Persons Act): ... There’s no minimum in China or Portugal. Exceptions to legal drinking ages exist in many places (including the U.S.); for instance, the island of Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory (meaning no passport is needed for travel to that area of the Caribbean), but the legal drinking age is 18. Throughout much of Europe, the legal drinking and purchasing age ranges between 16 and 18, and often there isn't a drinking age at all; it's not uncommon to see children drinking a … Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, ... MLDA 21 should not be lowered to mirror European drinking age limits because the rate of drinking among US teenagers is lower than most European countries. This law was pushed for by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and implemented more than 30 years ago. Syria: The legal age is 18 for both drinking and purchasing. Children aged 16 and 17, with the licensee's permission, may consume wine, beer, cider or perry with a meal in a restaurant providing they're with an adult and the adult orders it. In einigen Ländern wird hierbei zwischen Getränken mit geringerem Alkoholgehalt – wie etwa Bier, Schaumwein und Wein – sowie höherprozentigen Spirituosen unterschieden. The legal drinking age should be 18 years of age tion; however, the officially permitted age for alcohol intake varies according to each country, but most countries the legal is 21years of age. 1 decade ago. In Europe, there is a greater range of ages, but the most common ages for purchasing are 16 or 18 years. 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. At the time of this writing, it is 21 years of age. Source(s): Personal experience. European adolescents attract public attention because of their high alcohol consumption 1 but adolescent alcohol use varies considerably across as well as within European countries. Supporting Legal Drinking Age of 21 “Most Regrettable” Decision of His Career Says Alcohol Expert and Former Official. The average (mean) minimum legal drinking age around the globe is 10.3. In Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, and Denmark, you can also drink beer and wine at 16 years, and you must be 18 to drink harder alcohol such as distilled spirits. Decline in twice drunk by age & gender between 2002 and 2014 (EU-average) By the time they are 15 years old, the reported drunkenness at least twice is higher but still on the decrease compared to previous surveys. (Hint: Higher Than You Think), Visiting NYC? In some circles, Europe has a reputation for promoting responsible drinking in its youths, but many engage in heavy drinking there. And often within countries. 9 Answers. There are ​exceptions in certain states for a variety of reasons. Legal age to purchase alcohol Throughout much of Europe, the legal drinking and purchasing age ranges between 16 and 18, and often there isn't a drinking age at all; it's not uncommon to see children drinking a small glass of alcohol in France or Spain. Underage drinking in private is not regulated by a specific legal restriction. This is actually a bit of a trick question, as several European countries including: Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Russia have no formal laws on what age people are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. As we all know, the legal drinking age and minimum age of purchase in the United States is 21. People now drink alcohol made from wheat, rye, potatoes, rice, grapes, berries, sugar cane, and everything in between. Minimum age is 16. The legal drinking and purchase age in Latvia is 18. The enactment of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 prompted states to raise their legal age for purchase or public possession of alcohol to … Italy’s official legal drinking age is a bit of a mystery. Drinking Age In Europe Map by reddit user correiajoao. The legal purchase age is 16/18. 5. John . 8 Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol Laws in Ireland, What's the Legal Drinking Age in Paris? OP -- drinking age is as stated by noct, but I have never heard of any person of any age ever being carded in Europe, if that is your subtext. In fact, while youths have better motor control when they have had too much to drink compared with adults, teens and young adults have more learning and memory problems when inebriated. This is actually a bit of a trick question, as several European countries including: Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Russia have no formal laws on what age people are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. This happens in the brain’s frontal lobe, which is the last area of the brain to mature. By contrast, New Zealand, which reduced its drinking age from 20 to 18 in 1999, saw significant increases in drinking among ages 18 to 19, bigger increases among those 16 … Answer Save. Even though it’s prohibited for minors to purchase alcohol in the country, it may happen, as in some cases sellers may not care enough to check customers' age. This map is based on the data from Wikipedia as of early 2020. Don't get very drunk around anyone you don't know or trust and try to remain in control of yourself. Drinking age in Europe is 18. Studies also show that the more economic wealth a country has, the more alcohol they consume, and the more heavy drinking there is. People have also argued that when countries or states have a legal drinking age of 21 that it breeds disrespect for the law, as many youth want to break it by drinking alcohol before their 21st birthday. First: Part of a healthy diet, it does not cause one to grow taller than their genetic potential. Driving age is generally 18, and it is expensive to learn, so DWI incidents are rare. An Easy Solution to the Drinking Age Problem. A later drinking age also protects youths and adolescents from the negative impact alcohol can have on the developing brain. Even though raising the drinking age in the U.S. caused a decline in traffic fatalities, the percentage of traffic fatalities in the U.S. is still higher than some European countries where the legal drinking age is less than 21. What Was The Age Of Exploration Or The Age Of Discovery? So can anyone provide the ages for the different countries? Extra-legal drinking is widely practiced at Oktoberfest, restaurants in Italy or France, and pubs in the UK. Some say that by allowing youth to drink at 18 (or even 16) that parents and community members end up playing a greater role in teaching youth how to drink responsibly. Studies like the ‘European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs’ (ESPAD), 2 the ‘Health-Behaviour in School-aged Children Study’ (HBSC) 3 or the cross-national research-project ‘Alcohol Abuse among Adolescents—Effective environmental strategies for Prevention’ (AAA-prevent) 4 point to the widesprea… After I wrote an … By Victoria Simpson on July 12 2020 in Society. In Denmark you also must be 18 to be served in a restaurant, pub, or bar. 4. 9 Answers . Favourite answer. Finally, some research shows that when the legal drinking age is 21, fewer youth are drinking but those who are are indulging in dangerous binge drinking at higher rates. At the time of this writing, it is 21 years of age. Selling alcoholic drinks in stores, with the exemption of restaurants, clubs, and bars, is against the law between the hours of 10 PM and 8 AM. In Europe, most countries’ minimum purchase age is 18. Relevance. UK- The Legal drinking age is 5. The earliest evidence we have of people drinking alcohol is in wine jars that date back to 7000 BC in ancient China. In Poland, the ban on public drinking does not apply to restaurants and bars. i am going on a trip with my friends on feb.4th . The legal drinking age varies across Europe. All are younger than the legal drinking age in the United States, which is 21. Drinking in Europe. Many people allow minors to have a sip of wine at meals. Minimum age is 20. is 18 years. Give easier access to alcohol. 5. MLDA 21 should not be lowered to mirror European drinking age limits because the rate of drinking among US teenagers is lower than most European countries. School-based surveys conducted in a variety of European countries and in the United States offer more specific insight into the drinking behavior of this age group. The minimum driving age is the minimum age at which a person may obtain a driver's licence to lawfully drive a motor vehicle on public roads. so we wanted to buy alcohol and go to clubs and bars...i know the drinking age is 18. i am supposed to be 18 this year but my birthday is march.23rd. I'm legal, by the way, so no funny business. In the US, the legal drinking age is determined at a national level. That age is determined by and for each jurisdiction and is most commonly set at 18 years of age, but learner drivers may be permitted on the road at an earlier age … It’s 14 in Switzerland, 16 in most of Europe. Taiwan: The legal age is 18 for both drinking and purchasing. Here is a look at the legal drinking age in European countries in more detail, and whether a younger drinking age or an older one is generally beneficial for society. No regulation/no age set. Drinking Age In Europe Map by reddit user correiajoao. Alcohol use by youth is an international phenomenon. Humans have been consuming alcohol since ancient times, and perhaps even before. You need to be 18, however, to drink spirits in Germany, and 16 to drink beer and wine on your own. This is because the rates of intoxication or binge drinking in adolescents in the U.S. are lower than in Europe. Eleven Member States (Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania and Slovenia) do not impose any age requirements for the consumption of alcohol in their national legal frameworks. You don't want to open yourself up to scams and sexual assault abroad because of a heavy night of drinking. When you are in your teenage years, your brain is still developing. This is unknown, but what is suspected is that those drinking this early rice wine probably liked to indulge in it as much as wine lovers of today love a glass full of rich, old, expensive Chardonnay. When the legal drinking age is delayed until someone is 21 years of age, some argue that the individual is left more to their own devices. Engaging in heavy drinking at this time can affect how the brain develops. When in doubt, ask the locals of course, or the person serving you. Some sources say the legal age is 16 others, 18. This can present a large learning curve, and result in more dangerous drinking. Between 1970-1976, 30 states lowered their Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) from 21 to 18, 19, or 20. Ninety-six (96) countries/possessions in the world have a minimum drinking age of zero. Minimum age is 21. Lv 7. Lauren Juliff is a full-time budget traveler, blogger, and author of "How Not to Travel the World: Adventures of a Disaster-Prone Backpacker.". A legal drinking age of 21 has been shown to reduce the number of people who develop an alcohol dependency later in life. Ninety-six (96) countries/possessions in the world have a minimum drinking age of zero. An older legal drinking age has been linked with less alcohol dependency in later life, and fewer fatal car accidents in teenage years. The idea here is to reduce the number of teenagers who drink and drive. I know it's different for every country. It can cause cognitive impairment and deficits, as well as memory problems. Minimum age is 19. Minimum age is 18. Here, a minor can drink undistilled alcohol like wine or beer at 14 years old, if they are accompanied by what is called a Custodial Person, (ie their parents or another adult who is in charge of their welfare). Thailand: The legal age is 20 for both drinking and purchasing. If you're not yet able to drink in the United States and don't have much experience with alcohol, keep that in mind when you head to a bar. What's the Drinking Age for Countries around the World? What Are the Differences in Drinking Laws Around Southeast Asia? Analyses of per capita consumption in different countries provide some information on drinking patterns of young people in various countries. It is understandable that the U.S. would want to mirror the drinking age of 18 in European countries because of the lower drunk driving fatalities. The enactment of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 prompted states to raise their legal age for purchase or public possession of alcohol to 21 or risk losing millions in federal highway funds. There's no legal minimum age for drinking in Italy - or in most civilised countries. Minimum age is 17. As the legal drinking age in Italy is 16, locals under that age are also not allowed to purchase alcohol in Italy. Research shows that over 90% of the alcohol young people consume happens when they are binge drinking, or bringing their blood alcohol level up to 0.08% or higher. Start slowly and learn more about your tolerance before jumping in at the deep end. The youngest legal age associated with alcohol in Europe is in Germany. In many European countries, the legal drinking age is 18 or lower, and minors are not as compelled to drink excessively because moderated drinking is part of the culture. The legal drinking age in the US is 21, which is older than that of every country in Europe. And of those that have higher legal drinking ages, the average age is 18.6. When the legal drinking age is 21, there are fewer alcohol-related traffic fatalities in general, and specifically for 18 and 20 year-olds. This meant that a person was completely prohibited from handling alcohol until they reached a “mature age”. Tajikistan: The legal age is 21 for both drinking and purchasing, but only if you're not Muslim. Did they have a legal drinking age back then? Italy has set a minimum legal drinking age at 16 years, one of the lowest MLDA in the world. European Countries That Are Not Members Of The European Union, Types Of Crimes By Number Of Offenses In The US. In all European countries, the legal drinking age is less than this, running from about 15 years old up to 20. In many nations, officers generally don’t enforce the law in the absence of ab… Drinking age in Latvia - Europe. Jillian Dara is a freelance travel writer and fact checker. Between 1970-1976, 30 states lowered their Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) from 21 to 18, 19, or 20. Taking the UK again as an example, the percentage was respectively 55.1% for boys and 55.7% for girls in 2002 and is now down at 28.3% for boys and 32.6% for girls. Drinking ages in Europe tend to be this way. Relevance. Source: Radio Feel Europe 3. Favorite Answer. Drinking in public is also against the law. In all European countries, the legal drinking age is less than this, running from about 15 years old up to 20. And often within countries. However, protection from physical and mental harm is part of parents' general obligation to care for a child. In all other European countries, the legal age to drink alcohol is 18. Some countries differentiate between the legal age for drinking and of legal age to purchase alcohol. In the US, the legal drinking age is determined at a national level. In Cyprus, Greece, and Malta the legal drinking age is 17. Answers from trusted physicians on legal drinking age in europe. Most involve being on private property and having the permission of your parents, but in some states, there are no exceptions.​. That age is determined by and for each jurisdiction and is most commonly set at 18 years of age, but learner drivers may be permitted on the road at an earlier age under supervision. Interestingly, in Sweden you can actually consume legally alcohol at any age at home, but you must be 18 to order it in a restaurant or bar, and 20 to actually purchase it. 6. 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