Editing Legal drinking age (section)

==Europe==
[[File:Konsumverbot.svg|thumb|500px|Laws banning minors from consuming alcohol in public/private:<br />{{legend|#FF0000|Minimum age to consume alcohol in public and private}}{{legend|#FFD800|Minimum age to consume alcohol in public}}{{legend|#267F00|No minimum age to consume alcohol in public or private}}]]
Most countries in [[Europe]] have set 18 as the minimum age to purchase alcohol. Although [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Denmark]], [[Germany]], [[Gibraltar]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Malta]], [[Portugal]] and [[Switzerland]] (except [[Ticino]]) maintain a minimum purchase age below 18 years, minors are permitted either full or limited access to alcohol. In 2005,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/eu-will-alkoholkauf-erst-ab-18-erlauben-aid-1.1607191 |title=EU will Alkoholkauf erst ab 18 erlauben |author=AFP, dpa |date=26 February 2005 |language=de |website=rp-online.de |access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> 2007<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abendblatt.de/politik/europa/article107217172/Die-EU-will-Alkohol-erst-ab-18-Jahren-freigeben.html |title=Die EU will Alkohol erst ab 18 Jahren freigeben |author=AFP, dpa |date=13 March 2007 |language=de |website=abendblatt.de |access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> and 2015<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article140181484/EU-Parlament-will-Alkohol-unter-18-verbieten.html |title=EU-Parlament will Alkohol unter 18 verbieten |author=Christoph B. Schiltz |date=27 April 2015 |language=de |website=welt.de/politik |access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> harmonization at the [[European Union]] level toward a minimum purchase age of 18 was discussed, but not agreed.

Timeline of changes to drinking/purchase age or laws restricting the access to alcohol for minors:

* In 2002 the Spanish autonomous-communities [[Community of Madrid|Madrid]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elinconformistadigital.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=56 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150408124810/http://www.elinconformistadigital.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=56 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 April 2015 |title=La ley seca aprobada en Madrid |author=Marlowe |date=7 March 2002 |language=es |website=elinconformistadigital.com |access-date=7 April 2015 }}</ref> [[Valencian Community|Valencia]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joves.net/estas-d-acord/augmentar-l-edat-per-a-consumir-alcohol |title=El Conseller Blasco propone aumentar la edad legal para el consumo de alcohol |date=2002 |language=es |website=joves.net |access-date=7 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414042742/http://www.joves.net/estas-d-acord/augmentar-l-edat-per-a-consumir-alcohol |archive-date=14 April 2015 }}</ref> and [[Catalonia]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasdrogas.info/noticias/453/cataluna-eleva-hasta-los-18-anos-la-edad-minima-para-poder-comprar-alcohol.html |title=Cataluña eleva hasta los 18 años la edad mínima para poder comprar alcohol |date=28 February 2002 |language=es |website=lasdrogas.info |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> raised their minimum purchase age to 18 years. Previously, Valencia and Madrid had a minimum purchase age of 16 years, and in Catalonia minors aged 16 or 17 could purchase alcohol up to 23% ABV on- and off-premise.
* In 2004 [[Denmark]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.si-folkesundhed.dk/Ugens%20tal%20for%20folkesundhed/Ugens%20tal/Uge_12_2006.aspx |title=Forbud mod salg af alkohol til personer under 16 år – virker det? |date=2006 |language=da|website=si-folkesundhed.dk |page=København: Statens Institut for Folkesundhed |publisher=Jørgensen MH, Riegels M, Hesse U & Grønbæk M. |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> raised its off-premise purchase age from 15 to 16 years.
* In November 2005 Switzerland passed its Food and Commodities Regulation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20050153/index.html#a11 |title=Lebensmittel- und Gebrauchsgegenständeverordnung – Art. 11 |language=de |website=admin.ch |publisher=The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> (German: Lebensmittel- und Gebrauchsgegenständeverordnung), introducing a ban on alcohol sales to anyone under the age of 16. The Alcohol Law<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/19320035/index.html#a41 |title=Bundesgesetz über die gebrannten Wasser – Art. 41 |language=de |website=admin.ch |publisher=The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> (German: Alkoholgesetz) passed in 1980 requires a minimum age of 18 years for the retail sale of distilled spirits. Therefore, it is prohibited to sell fermented alcohol (e.g. [[beer]], [[wine]], [[sparkling wine]] or [[cider]]) to anyone under the age of 16, and any distilled alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. The canton of Ticino has a cantonal law since 1989 that makes the purchase age limit for all alcohol beverages 18 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www3.ti.ch/CAN/RLeggi/public/raccolta-leggi/legge/numero/6.1.1.1 |title=Legge sulla promozione della salute e il coordinamento sanitario (Legge sanitaria) – Art. 51 |language=it |website=ti.ch |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
* In 2006 the Spanish autonomous community [[Castile and León]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elconfidencial.com/ultima-hora-en-vivo/2012/07/legislacion-contra-botellon-manos-comunidades-autonomas-20120728-2508.html |title=La legislación contra el botellón en manos de las comunidades autónomas |date=2012 |language=es |website=ElConfidencial.com |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years.
* In late 2006, [[Gibraltar]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2006-11o.pdf |title=Children and Young Persons (Alcohol, Tobacco and Gaming) Act 2006 |date=2006 |website=gibraltarlaws.gov.gi |publisher=Government of Gibraltar |access-date=7 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031927/http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2006-11o.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> lawmakers passed the ''Children and Young Persons (Alcohol, Tobacco and Gaming) Act 2006'', which raised the minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years. But the new law made an exception: minors aged 16 or 17 can purchase and consume beer, wine or cider under 15% ABV on-premise, and pre-packed containers of an alcohol strength not exceeding 5.5% ABV (e.g. [[alcopops]]).
* In 2009 [[France]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2009/03/09/01016-20090309ARTFIG00563-les-deputes-interdisent-la-vente-d-alcool-aux-mineurs-.php |title=La vente d'alcool et de tabac interdite aux mineurs |author=Bastien Hugues |date=9 March 2009 |language=fr |website=lefigaro.fr |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> raised its minimum purchase age to 18 years,<ref name="SantePublique3">[http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexteArticle.do;jsessionid=18ED9AC9EF67D77F5A2C0373B8E6B783.tpdjo08v_1?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000020879475&idArticle=LEGIARTI000020881176&dateTexte=20090920&categorieLien=id Law passed on 23 July 2009].</ref><ref name="SantePublique4">[http://legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do;jsessionid=EEA97DD8289FBEA8B0F379B642F59F2C.tpdjo10v_3?idArticle=LEGIARTI000006688129&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006072665&dateTexte=20090722 French Public Health Code, Art L3353-4].</ref> and fines were increased for selling or serving alcohol to a minor (up to €7,500). Previously, the minimum age was 16 years for off-premise and on-premise purchases of low-alcohol beverages (up to 3% ABV) such as wine, beer, cider, perry, mead, crème de cassis and juices from fermented fruits or vegetables that contain 1.2 to 3° alcohol, natural sweet wines from controlled cultivation and 18 for higher-ABV beverges.
* In October 2009, the government of [[Malta]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://livinginmalta.com/miscellaneuos/legal-drinking-age/ |title=Legal Drinking Age |author=Mark |date=16 June 2014 |website=livinginmalta.com |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> passed a new law raising its drinking and purchase age from 16 to 17 years.
* In 2010 the Spanish autonomous community of [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/06/17/espana/1276794476.html |title=Galicia elevará de 16 a 18 años la edad para beber y multará la venta a menores |author=Santiago de Compostela |date=17 June 2010 |language=es |website=elmundo.es |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
* In 2011 [[Denmark]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sundhedsstyrelsen.dk/da/sundhed/alkohol/lovgivning |title=Lovgivning på alkoholområdet |date=22 January 2014 |language=da|website=sundhedsstyrelsen.dk |publisher=Sundhedsstyrelsen |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> passed a law raising the minimum age for off-premise sale of alcohol beverages of >16.5% ABV to 18 years of age. The minimum age to purchase alcohol beverages of <16.5% ABV remains 16.
* In March 2012 [[Moldova]] raised the minimum purchase age to 18, from 16 previously.<ref name="Art. 30">[Art.30 lit.j) în redacţia LP22 din 01.03.12, MO92/15.05.12 art.290]</ref><ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100" />
*[[Italy]] raised its minimum purchase age from 16 to 18 in 2012. Previously Italy did not have a purchase age for off-premise sales, and the minimum age of 16 years for on-premise sales was not well enforced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ufficiocommercio.it/pf/testo-news/27926/Divieto-di-vendita-alcolici-ai-minori-di-anni-18 |title=Divieto di vendita alcolici ai minori di anni 18 |date=14 November 2012 |language=it |website=ufficiocommercio.it |publisher=Ufficio Commercio |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
*{{As of|2014|January|1|df=UK}}, the minimum legal purchase and consumption age was raised from 16 to 18 in the [[Netherlands]]. Previously young people over the age of 16 could purchase and consume alcohol beverages of <15% ABV, and those aged 18 and over could purchase all alcohol beverages.<ref name="Alcohol in de wet">{{cite web |url=http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/alcohol/alcohol-in-de-wet |title=Alcohol in de wet |language=nl |website=rijksoverheid.nl |date=28 November 2012 |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
*{{As of|2015|March|df=UK}}, the Spanish autonomous community of [[Asturias]] raised its drinking age from 16 to 18 years. Asturias was Spain's last community with a drinking age of 16 years. The new law brings the drinking age into line with the rest of Spain, with the exception of Balearic Islands where no purchase age limit is set.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lne.es/asturias/2015/03/06/copas-saldran-caras-menores/1722639.html |title=Las copas saldrán caras a los menores |date=6 March 2015 |language=es |website=lne.es |access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
*In 2013 the government of [[Portugal]] restricted alcohol sales to young people: distilled spirits cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18, and other alcohol beverages (e.g. beer, wine, or cider) cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 16. Previously the minimum age for all alcohol beverages was 16 years.<ref>{{cite web |author=Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho |date=27 March 2013 |title=RESTRIÇÕES À DISPONIBILIZAÇÃO, VENDA E CONSUMO DE BEBIDAS ALCOÓLICAS – N.º02/2013 |url=http://www.ivv.min-agricultura.pt/np4/154?newsId=5684&fileName=NI_02_2013__27_05_2013_.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107013535/http://www.ivv.min-agricultura.pt/np4/154?newsId=5684&fileName=NI_02_2013__27_05_2013_.pdf |archive-date=7 November 2013 |access-date=7 April 2015 |website=ivv.min-agricultura.pt |language=pt}}</ref>. {{As of|2015|December|df=UK}}, [[Portugal]] harmonized its minimum drinking age to 18 years across all beverage types. Previously the purchase age was 16 years for low-alcohol beverages such as beer, wine or cider.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dre.pt/web/guest/legislacao-consolidada/-/lc/67421695/201704201944/exportPdf/normal/1/cacheLevelPage?_LegislacaoConsolidada_WAR_drefrontofficeportlet_rp=indice |title=Decreto-Lei n.º 50/2013 – Diário da República n.º 74/2013, Série I de 2013-04-16 [Amendment by Decreto-Lei n.º 106/2015 – Diário da República n.º 115/2015, Série I de 2015-06-16, em vigor a partir de 2015-07-01] |language=pt |website=dre.pt |access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref>
*{{As of|2018|January|1|df=UK}}, [[Lithuania]] raised its minimum drinking age from 18 to 20 years.<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption" />
* From January 2019 the federal states of [[Austria]] decided to align their drinking and purchase ages. The states [[Burgenland]], [[Lower Austria]] and [[Vienna]] therefore raised their age limits for alcohol beverages containing spirits to 18. Prior to 2019 these states had a general drinking and purchase age of 16 years. The sale and consumption of beer, wine and other fermented alcohol beverages is now prohibited to children and young people under the age of 16 years, and the sale and consumption of spirits to minors under the age of 18 years is prohibited throughout Austria.<ref name="austria">{{cite web|url=https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/jugendliche/jugendrechte/3/Seite.1740250.html|title=Österreichs digitales Amt: Rauchen und Alkohol|date=4 January 2019|language=de|access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan="3" style="width:12%;" | Country
! rowspan="3" style="width:12%;" | Administrative division
! colspan="4" style="width:20%;" |[[De jure]]
! rowspan="3" style="width:56%;" | Notes
|-
! colspan="2" style="width:10%;" | Drinking age<ref name="Eyes On Age">{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/alcohol/docs/eyes_on_ages_report_en.pdf|title=EYES ON AGES – A research on alcohol age limit policies in European Member States. Legislation, enforcement and research. |publisher=Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy (STAP), European Commission |author=drs. J. Mulder, J. de Greeff MSc|access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>
! colspan="2" style="width:10%;" | Purchase age
|-
! style="width:5%;" | Private
! style="width:5%;" | Public
! style="width:5%;" | On-premise
! style="width:5%;" | Off-premise
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Albania}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18<ref name="albania">{{cite web|url=http://www.ishp.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2015/ligjet/Per-mbrojtjen-e-te-mitruve-nga-perdorimi-i-alkoolit.pdf|title=LIGJ Nr. 9518, datë 18.4.2006 – PËR MBROJTJEN E TË MITURVE NGA PËRDORIMI I ALKOOLIT [Law 9518 for the protection of minors from the use of alcohol (2006)] Art 4|website=ishp.gov.al|language=sq|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="albania" />
| The sale of alcohol beverage in bars, restaurants or other licensed premises, as well as other points of sale, is prohibited to minors under the age of 18 years. Vendors and operators of licensed premises are required to post a clearly legible notice in A4 format stating "Ndalohet shitja e alkoolit personave nën 18 vjeç" (It is prohibited to sell alcohol beverages to people under 18 years). Consumption by those under age 18 in public places is prohibited.<ref name="albania" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Andorra}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="andorra" />
| style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="andorra">{{cite web |url=http://www.policia.ad/documentacio/venda_consum_begudes.pdf |title=Reglament pel qual es regulen determinats aspectes de la venda i el consum de begudes alcohòliques |language=ca |website=policia.ad |access-date=25 July 2019 |archive-date=28 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128041535/http://www.policia.ad/documentacio/venda_consum_begudes.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="andorra" />
| Selling, serving or supplying alcohol beverages is prohibited as well as public consumption of alcohol beverage by minors under the age of 18 years.<ref name="andorra" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Austria}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None {{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |16 <sup>(beer, wine and cider)</sup><br />18 <sup>(distilled beverages)</sup><ref name="austria" />
| The age limits are set out by the legislation of each federal state but were harmonized in January 2019.<ref name="austria" /> Carinthia also requires 16-18-year-olds to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%.<ref name="Rauchen und Alkohol">[https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/174/Seite.1740250.html Rauchen und Alkohol] State legislation</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Belarus}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="МУС Беларусі прапануе забараніць курэнне і ўжыванне алкаголю для асоб, маладзейшых за 18 гадоў">{{cite web|url=http://www.pravo.by/document/?guid=3871&p0=h10800429|title=ЗАКОН РЕСПУБЛИКИ БЕЛАРУСЬ 27 августа 2008 г. № 429-З О государственном регулировании производства и оборота алкогольной, непищевой спиртосодержащей продукции и непищевого этилового спирта|publisher=Национальный правовой Интернет-портал Республики Беларусь|access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="МУС Беларусі прапануе забараніць курэнне і ўжыванне алкаголю для асоб, маладзейшых за 18 гадоў" />
|
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Belgium}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Vente et consommation d'alcool en Belgique" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18 for distilled beverages of higher than 1.2%ABV and [[fermented beverage]]s of higher than 22%ABV
16 for other alcohol beverages<ref name="Vente et consommation d'alcool en Belgique">{{cite web|url=https://www.health.belgium.be/fr/sante/prenez-soin-de-vous/alcool-et-tabac/alcool|title=Alcool|work=SPF Santé publique |date=27 January 2016|publisher=Service Public Federal|access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>
| Since 10 January 2010, it is prohibited to "sell, serve, or offer" any distilled alcohol beverages to those under the age of 18 or any alcohol beverage to those under 16.<ref name="Vente et consommation d'alcool en Belgique" /> Previously, it was prohibited to sell alcohol drinks to under-16s, but accompanying adults could buy drinks for them.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Drinking age Bosnia" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="Drinking age Bosnia">{{cite web |url=http://novi-informator.net/prodaja-alkoholnih-pi%C4%87-osobama-mla%C4%91im-od-18-godina |title=Prodaja alkoholnih pića osobama mlađim od 18 godina |publisher=jeunesetalcool.be |access-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
| Selling alcohol to a minor under the age of 18 years is an offence. The law does not prohibit minors from buying, attempting to buy or consuming alcohol.<ref name="Drinking age Bosnia" />

* Law on Public Peace and Order (2015) Article 25 prohibits providing alcohol beverages to minors.
* Law on Internal Trade (2010), Article 10 prohibits the sale in the retail trade of alcohol beverages to persons under 18 years of age.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Bulgaria}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Деца и юноши под 18 години" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="Деца и юноши под 18 години">{{cite web|url=https://www.lex.bg/laws/ldoc/2134925825|title=ЗАКОН ЗА ЗАКРИЛА НА ДЕТЕТО|publisher=Lex.bg|access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lex.bg/bg/laws/ldoc/2135489147|title=ЗАКОН ЗА ЗДРАВЕТО|website=Lex.bg|access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>
|It is prohibited to sell or offer alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18.<ref name="Деца и юноши под 18 години" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Croatia}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Drinking age Croatia" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="Drinking age Croatia">{{cite web|url=https://www.zakon.hr/z/175/Zakon-o-trgovini|title=Zakon o trgovini|publisher=zakon.hr|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
|It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age. There is no minimum age to buy or consume alcohol by law.<ref name="Drinking age Croatia" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Czech Republic}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name=":6" />
| It is prohibited to provide alcohol to minors but consumption itself is not prohibited by law.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2017-65|title=Zákon č. 65/2017 Sb. Zákon o ochraně zdraví před škodlivými účinky návykových látek|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref> 
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Denmark}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="dansk">{{cite web|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=210239|title=Bekendtgørelse af lov om forbud mod salg af tobak og alkohol til personer under 18 år|website=www.retsinformation.dk|language=da|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
| align="center" |18<ref name="dansk" />
| align="center" |16 <sup>(beverages of <16.5% [[ABV]])</sup> <br /> 18 <sup>(beverages of ≥16.5% [[ABV]])</sup><ref name="dansk" />
| While there is no age requirement for drinking alcohol beverages in Denmark, there are laws that prohibit minors from buying alcohol from on-premise and off-premise outlets.

If a shop or bar fails to ask for an ID card and is identified as having sold alcohol to an underage person, it is subject to a fine. A national ID card, obtained in the local town hall, can serve as age verification.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=9878 |title=Lov om forbud mod salg af tobak og alkohol til personer under 16 år |language=da|access-date=8 January 2013}}</ref> This card is rarely used though since a passport or driver's license is more commonly used.<ref>[http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2006/07/01/.htm Få unge har købt legitimationskort] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127114344/http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2006/07/01/.htm |date=27 November 2011 }}, Danmarks Radio, 01. July 2006</ref>

Both the legal drinking and purchasing age in the Faroe Islands is 18.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alcohol|url=https://www.visitfaroeislands.com/plan-your-stay/before-you-arrive-in-the-faroe-islands/alcohol/|access-date=29 October 2020|website=Visit Faroe Islands}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Estonia}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="estonia">{{cite web|url=https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/832173|title=Alkoholiseadus|publisher=Riigi Teataja|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="estonia" />
| It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. Alcohol found in possession of any child can be confiscated by the police.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Finland}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18 <sup>(1.2–22% ABV)</sup><br />20 <sup>(>22% ABV)</sup><ref name="alkoholilaki">{{cite web|url=https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2017/1102|title=Alkoholilaki|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="alkoholilaki" />
| style="text-align:center;" |18 <sup>(1.2–22% ABV)</sup><br />20 <sup>(>22% ABV)</sup><ref name="alkoholilaki" />
| All major grocery chains have implemented a policy to ask for ID if the customer looks under 30.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/if_you_look_under_30_get_your_id_out/6333481|title=If you look under 30, get your ID out|publisher=YLE News|date=12 October 2012|access-date=21 April 2013}}</ref> Stores may refuse to sell alcohol if the customer is accompanied by a minor, or if proxy purchasing is suspected. Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is a criminal offence.<ref name="alkoholilaki" />

Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy any alcohol beverages in their possession. Incidents are reported to the legal guardian and child protective services, who may intervene with child welfare procedures. In addition, those aged 15 or above are subject to a fine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2010/756|title=Laki rikesakkorikkomuksista 756/2010 – Ajantasainen lainsäädäntö – FINLEX ®|access-date=28 July 2015}}</ref>

In private, offering alcohol to a minor is considered a criminal offence if it results in drunkenness and the act can be deemed reprehensible as a whole, considering the minor's age, degree of maturity and other circumstances.<ref name="alkoholilaki" />

|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|France}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None, minors are under parental authority up to 18 years old, and the parent must even remain present if they offer alcohol to their child under the age of 16. In addition, making a minor drink until intoxication is an offense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F20104.xhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221144728/http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F20104.xhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-02-21|title=Prévention de l'alcoolisme - Service-public.fr}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="SantePublique2">{{cite web|url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do;jsessionid=18ED9AC9EF67D77F5A2C0373B8E6B783.tpdjo08v_1?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006072665&idArticle=LEGIARTI000020895230&dateTexte=|title=Code de la santé publique – Article L3353-3|website=Legifrance|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref> 
|[[France]] has no explicitly stated consumption age, but selling alcohol beverages to a minor (under 18) is prohibited and can be fined 7500 [[euro]]s.<ref name="SantePublique2" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Germany}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="3" align="center" |14 <sup>(beer, wine and cider if accompanied)</sup><br />16 <sup>(beer, wine and cider)</sup><br />18 <sup>(spirits and foods containing spirits above negligible amounts)</sup><ref name="Germany">{{cite book |url=http://www.bmfsfj.de/RedaktionBMFSFJ/Abteilung5/Pdf-Anlagen/jschg-englisch,property=pdf,bereich=bmfsfj,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf |title=Protection of Young Persons Act, Amendment by Article 3, Act |date=31 October 2008 |access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>
|It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply fermented alcohol beverages (beer, wine, cider and sparkling wine) to anyone under 16 years of age. However this age limit drops down to 14 if a minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. It is generally prohibited to serve, sell or supply any beverage containing spirits and foods containing spirits above negligible amounts, to anyone under the age of 18 years. Violation of the "Protection of Young Persons Act" can be punished with imprisonment up to 10 years.<br />{{See also|Alcohol laws in Germany}}{{See also|Protection of Young Persons Act (Germany)}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Gibraltar}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Gibraltar" />
| align="center" | 16 <sup>(beer, wine and cider)</sup><br />18 <sup>(spirits)</sup><ref name="Gibraltar" />
| align="center" | 18<ref name="Gibraltar" />
| It is prohibited to sell alcohol drinks to anyone under the age of 18, other than the following two exceptions. The minimum age to be served in licensed premises is 16 if:<ref name="Gibraltar">[http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2006-11o.pdf Children and Young Persons (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Gaming) Act 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031927/http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2006-11o.pdf |date=21 July 2011 }} (Gibraltar Laws).</ref>

* The alcohol beverage is beer, wine or cider below 15% [[ABV]], '''or'''
* The alcohol beverage is served in a bottle, or a pre-packaged container below 5.5% [[ABV]].
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Greece}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008" />
| align="center" |18<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008">{{cite web|url=https://www.kodiko.gr/nomologia/document_navigation/141125/nomos-3730-2008|title=ΝΟΜΟΣ 3730/2008 ΦΕΚ Με τις τελευταίες αλλαγές από το Νόμο 4633/2019|date=23 December 2008|website=Kodiko.gr|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
| In 2008, the consumption of alcohol beverages was prohibited for minors in public. However, the law does not apply to private events or private premises.<ref name="ΦΕΚ A 262/2008" /> However, the law is rarely enforced with authorities reporting high numbers of teen alcohol consumption yearly.<ref>[https://movendi.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ACHP_FS_Greece.pdf Greece] movendi.ngo</ref> ID checks are rare.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Hungary}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18<ref name="IARD" />
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="IARD" />
|
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Iceland}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" align="center" |20<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.althingi.is/altext/stjt/1998.075.html|title=Áfengislög|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| Possession or consumption of alcohol by people under the age of 20 is not an offence, but police will contact parents of those under 18 and send a report to the child protection agency, supplying them with alcohol is an offence. Drinking in public is prohibited, though this is rarely enforced in public places. 
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Ireland}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Ireland">{{Cite web|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/reference/checklists/checklist_at_what_age_can_i.html|title=At what age can I?|website=citizensinformation.ie|language=en|access-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
| align="center" |18<ref name="Ireland" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="Ireland" />
| It is prohibited for minors to buy alcohol or for a third party to attempt to buy it for minors. Minors are prohibited to drink in private residences unless it is with their parent or guardian's permission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/criminal_law/criminal_offences/alcohol_and_the_law.html |title=Alcohol and the law |publisher=Citizensinformation.ie |date=7 March 2012 |access-date=11 August 2012}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Italy}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Trova Norme & Concorsi – Normativa Sanitaria" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.altalex.com/documents/leggi/2012/11/12/dl-sanita-la-legge-di-conversione-del-decreto-balduzzi|title=DL sanità: La legge di conversione del decreto Balduzzi Legge, 08/11/2012 n° 189, G.U. 10/11/2012|access-date=23 October 2019|publisher=Altalex}}</ref><ref name="Trova Norme & Concorsi – Normativa Sanitaria" />
| In 2012 the then Health Minister Renato Balduzzi proposed to raise the age to 18.<ref name="Trova Norme & Concorsi – Normativa Sanitaria">{{cite web|url=http://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.it/norme/dettaglioAtto.spring?id=43801&completo=true|title=Trova Norme & Concorsi – Normativa Sanitaria|author=Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato S.p.A.|access-date=28 July 2015}}</ref> Selling alcohol to those under the age of 18 in shops carries a fine between €250 and €1000. Serving alcohol beverages to those under the age of 16 is a criminal offense and is punished with prison up to one year, if the individual is 16 or 17 it will be treated as an offense that is fined between €250 and €1000 ''(Legge n. 189/2013)''.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Kosovo}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=2853|title=LIGJI NR. 04/L-121 PËR MBROJTJEN E KONSUMATORIT|website=gzk.rks-gov.net|accessdate=18 December 2023}}</ref>
|
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Latvia}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Alkoholisko dzērienu aprites likums" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="Alkoholisko dzērienu aprites likums">{{cite news|url=https://likumi.lv/ta/id/88009|title=Alkoholisko dzērienu aprites likums|date=1 May 2004|access-date=23 October 2019|publisher=likumi.lv}}</ref>
| It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol beverages to any minor under the age of 18 years. Persons between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to present an identity document to the retailer when purchasing alcoholic beverages, regardless of whether the retailer has requested it. There is no minimum age to consume or possess alcohol.<ref name="Alkoholisko dzērienu aprites likums" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Liechtenstein}}
| colspan="4" align="center" |18 <sup>(spirits and spirit-based beverages)</sup>

16 <sup>(other alcohol beverages)</sup><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gesetze.li/chrono/2009029000|title=Kinder- und Jugendgesetz (KJG) vom 10. Dezember 2008|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| Spirits and alcopops may be sold only to people at least 18, and other alcohol beverages to people at least 16. Consumption and possession is prohibited at the same ages. 
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Lithuania}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |20<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption">{{cite news|url=https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.9E5C5C16B6E6/asr|title=Lietuvos Respublikos alkoholio kontrolės įstatymas|access-date=23 October 2019|publisher=e-tar.lt}}</ref>
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |20<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption" />
| It is prohibited to sell, serve or supply alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 20 years. People under the age of 20 are prohibited from consuming alcohol beverages or from possessing them. The minimum age was raised from 18 to 20 in 2018.<ref name="Seimas adopted amendments on reduction of alcohol consumption" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Luxembourg}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Loi du 22 décembre 2006 portant interdiction de la vente de boissons alcooliques à des mineurs de moins de seize ans." />
| colspan="2" align="center" |16<ref name="Loi du 22 décembre 2006 portant interdiction de la vente de boissons alcooliques à des mineurs de moins de seize ans.">{{cite web|url=http://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/loi/2006/12/22/n11/jo|title=RECUEIL DE LEGISLATION – A –– N° 237 29 décembre 2006|date=29 September 2006|publisher=legilux.public.lu|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol beverages of >1.2% ABV to any person under the age of 16 years. Violation is fined €251 to €1,000.<ref name="Loi du 22 décembre 2006 portant interdiction de la vente de boissons alcooliques à des mineurs de moins de seize ans." />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Malta}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="malta" />
| align="center" | 17<ref name="malta" />
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |17<ref name="malta">{{cite web|url=http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=8575|title=CAP 10 Code of Police Laws|publisher=justiceservices.gov.mt|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| Must provide identification upon request.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Moldova}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100">{{cite web|url=http://lex.justice.md/viewdoc.php?action=view&view=doc&id=334893&lang=1 |title=LEGE Nr. 1100 din 30.06.2000 cu privire la fabricarea şi circulaţia alcoolului etilic şi a producţiei alcoolice – Art. 30 |publisher=lex.justice.md |date=15 October 2010|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100" />
| It is prohibited to sell, or serve alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is not prohibited for minors to buy, attempt to buy or consume alcohol.<ref name="LEGE Nr. 1100" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Montenegro}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;background:Gainsboro" |None
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="IARD" />
|
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Netherlands}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002458/2017-12-31|title=Drank- en Horecawet|website=wetten.nl|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name=":4" />
| The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcohol beverages was raised from 16 to 18 in 2014. Selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 is prohibited, while buying alcoholic beverages for someone else under the age of 18 is also prohibited.<ref name=":4" />
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|North Macedonia}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="northernmacedonia" />
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="northernmacedonia">{{cite web|url=https://www.pravdiko.mk/zakon-za-trgovija/|title=Закон за трговија|publisher=pravdiko.mk|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| 
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Norway}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/aid/dok/regpubl/otprp/19961997/Otprp-nr-7-1996-97-/16/3.html?id=299088 |title=Proposition to Odelstinget rejecting the idea of holding minors criminally responsible for the purchase or consumption of alcohol |date=11 October 1996 |publisher=Regjeringen.no |access-date=20 June 2009}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" |18 <sup>(<22% ABV)</sup> <br /> 20 <sup>(≥22% [[ABV]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/1989-06-02-27|title=Lov om omsetning av alkoholholdig drikk m.v. (alkoholloven) – Lovdata|website=lovdata.no}}</ref></sup>
| Alcohol possessed by minors may be confiscated as evidence. Drinking in public is prohibited, though this is rarely enforced in recreational areas.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://oslopuls.aftenposten.no/restaurant_uteliv/article233583.ece|title=Police: It's okay to drink in public parks|newspaper=Aftenposten|date=2 July 2009|access-date=2 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503064136/http://oslopuls.aftenposten.no/restaurant_uteliv/article233583.ece|archive-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Poland}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="tekst jednolity: Dz. U. 2002 r. Nr 147 poz. 1231" />
| align="center" |None <sup>(within designated drinking zones)</sup><br />Prohibited <sup>(elsewhere)</sup>
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="tekst jednolity: Dz. U. 2002 r. Nr 147 poz. 1231">{{cite web|url=http://prawo.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU19820350230|title=Ustawa z dnia 26 października 1982 r. o wychowaniu w trzeźwości i przeciwdziałaniu alkoholizmowi|website=ISAP – Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych|language=pl|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| Article 15 of The Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parpa.pl/download/ustawaang.pdf |title=The Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism. |language=en |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> prohibits sale or serving of alcohol beverages to anyone under 18 and that if doubt exists as to age, sellers/servers should require ID as proof of age.
Drinking in public places, with the exception of designated drinking zones, is prohibited regardless of age.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Portugal}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="1 de Julho: nova legislação sobre o álcool e a vacina Prevenar em vigor" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="1 de Julho: nova legislação sobre o álcool e a vacina Prevenar em vigor">{{cite web|url=http://www.sicad.pt/PT/FNAS/Documents/DL_106_2015.pdf|title=MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE Decreto-Lei n.º 106/2015 de 16 de junho|language=pt|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| align="center" |
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Romania}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="romania" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="romania">{{cite web|url=http://www.euroavocatura.ro/legislatie/853/Legea_61_1991__republicata_2011_,_pentru_sanctionarea_faptelor_de_incalcare_a_unor_norme_de_convietuire_sociala,_a_ordinii_si_linistii_publice|title=Legea nr. 61/1991 (Actualizata 2008), pentru sanctionarea faptelor de incalcare a unor norme de convietuire sociala, a ordinii si linistii publice|date=June 2011|language=ro|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| Whoever offers or supplies alcohol beverages to a child under the age of 14 years in an amount which is resulting death to one is punished with imprisonment for 3 to 12 years.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Russia}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref>{{cite web|url=https://legalacts.ru/doc/171_FZ-o-gosudarstvennom-regulirovanii-proizvodstva-i-oborota-jetilovogo-spirta_-alkogolnoj-i-spirtosoderzhawej-produkcii/|title=Федеральный закон от 22.11.1995 N 171-ФЗ (ред. от 01.05.2019) "О государственном регулировании производства и оборота этилового спирта, алкогольной и спиртосодержащей продукции и об ограничении потребления (распития) алкогольной продукции"|language=ru|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| The legal purchase age limits are 18.
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|San Marino}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |16<ref name="IARD" />
|Criminal Code Article 165
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Serbia}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18
|Possession of alcohol is regulated by Article 23 of  Consumer protection law which prohibits selling, serving and giving alcohol to a person under the age of 18.<ref name=":7">{{cite web |title=Закон о заштити потрошача: ("Sl. glasnik RS", br. 88/2021-3) |trans-title=Consumer protection law |url=https://www.pravno-informacioni-sistem.rs/SlGlasnikPortal/eli/rep/sgrs/skupstina/zakon/2021/88/1/reg |access-date=22 October 2019 |website=Правно информациони систем}}</ref> However, the law is loosely enforced.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gudelj Rakić |first1=Jelena |url=https://www.batut.org.rs/download/publikacije/IstrazivanjeHBSC2022.pdf |title=Резултати истраживањa понашањa у вези са здрављем деце школског узраста у Републици Србији 2022. године |last2=Jovanović |first2=Verica |last3=Kilibarda |first3=Biljana |last4=Vasić |first4=Milena |last5=Tošić |first5=Marijana |last6=Boričić |first6=Katarina |publisher=Институт за јавно здравље Србије "Др Милан Јовановић Батут" |year=2023 |isbn=978-86-7358-129-3 |location=Belgrade |pages=47–49 |language=sr |trans-title=Health Behaviour in School-aged Children, HBSC.}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Slovakia}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18
|
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Slovenia}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="slovenia" />
| colspan="2" align="center" |18<ref name="slovenia">{{cite web |url=http://www.nalijem.si/o-alkoholu/alkohol-in-zakoni |title= Zákon o ochrane pred zneužívaním alkoholických nápojov a o zriaďovaní a prevádzke protialkoholických záchytných izieb |access-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
|
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Spain}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mscbs.gob.es/alcoholJovenes/legislacion/legislacionEstatal.htm|title=Alcohol and youth – Legislation|website=Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>
|Autonomous region Balearic Islands does not have legislation on legal purchase age limits.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Sweden}}
| colspan="2" align="center" style="background:Gainsboro" |None
| align="center" | 18<ref name="swe2010" /><ref name="sweden">{{cite web|url=https://vanligafragor.systembolaget.se/org/systembolaget/d/varfor-ar-det-18-arsgrans-pa-restaurang-och-krogen/|title=Systembolaget FAQ: Why is there an 18-year age limit on the pub but a 20-year age limit for Systembolaget?|website=Systembolaget|publisher=Systembolaget.se|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>
| align="center" |None under 2.25% ABV
20<ref name="swe2010" /> 18 <sup>(beer, above 2.25% ABV and below or equal to 3.5% ABV)</sup>
|{{See also|Alcohol in Sweden}} It is legal for anyone at any age to drink,<ref>{{Cite web|title=ÄR DET OLAGLIGT ATT DRICKA ALKOHOL OM MAN ÄR UNDER 18 ÅR?|trans-title=IS IT ILLEGAL TO DRINK ALCOHOL IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD?|language=sv |website=lawline |url=https://lawline.se/answers/ar-det-olagligt-att-dricka-alkohol-om-man-ar-under-18-ar |access-date=6 May 2022}}</ref> but off-premise sale or supply to anyone under the age of 20 is prohibited and on-premise establishments are prohibited from serving alcohol beverages to anyone under 18. It is legal to serve an underage person alcohol in a private place, provided it's a limited amount and done in moderation.<ref name="swe2010">{{cite web|url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/alkohollag-20101622_sfs-2010-1622|title=3 Kap. 7§ Alkohollag (2010:1622)|access-date=27 June 2018}}</ref> The reason for the lower limit in bars than in Systembolaget shops is that bartenders have a legal responsibility for how drunk a guest gets.<ref name="sweden" /> [[Beer classification in Sweden and Finland|Class II]] beer (up to 3.5% ABV), called folköl ("people's beer"), is sold in regular stores, but with the minimum purchase age of 18.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Langning av alkohol - lagar och fakta |language=sv |website=Polismyndigheten |url=https://polisen.se/lagar-och-regler/lagar-och-fakta-om-brott/langning-av-alkohol/ |access-date=31 July 2023}}</ref> Class I beer (2.25% ABV and under) has no age restriction. 
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Switzerland}}
|{{flag|Switzerland}} (federal law)
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" align="center" |16 <sup>(fermented beverages with up to 15% ABV and natural wines with up to 18% ABV)</sup><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20050153/index.html#a11 |title=817.02 Lebensmittel- und Gebrauchsgegenständeverordnung Art. 11 |publisher=admin.ch |access-date=9 January 2015}}</ref><br /> 18 <sup>(spirits)</sup><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/19320035/index.html#a41 |title=680 Bundesgesetz über die gebrannten Wasser Art. 41 IV. 1. i. |publisher=admin.ch |access-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>
| Whoever offers or supplies alcohol beverages to a child under the age of 16 years in an amount which is harmful to one's health is punished with imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/19370083/201501010000/311.0.pdf |title=311.0 Schweizerisches Strafgesetzbuch vom 21. Dezember 1937 (Stand am 1. Januar 2015) – Art. 411 |language=de |website=admin.ch |publisher=Swiss Federal Council |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Whoever sells or supplies spirits to a person under the age of 18 years is punished with a fine up to 10,000 CHF.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/19320035/index.html#a57 |title=680 Bundesgesetz vom 21. Juni 1932 über die gebrannten Wasser (Alkoholgesetz) – Art. 57 |language=de |website=admin.ch |publisher=Swiss Federal Council |access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Ticino}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |18
| Canton [[Ticino]] prohibits the selling of any type of alcohol beverage to minors under the age of 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.ti.ch/CAN/RLeggi/public/index.php/raccolta-leggi/pdfatto/atto/628 |title=RL 942.100 Legge sugli esercizi alberghieri e sulla ristorazione del 1° giugno 2010 (stato 15 giugno 2017) – art. 23 cpv. 1 lit. a |language=it |website=ti.ch |access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{flag|Ukraine}}
| colspan="2" style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref name="IARD" />
|Law No. 1824-VI on state regulation of production and turnover of ethyl, cognac and fruit, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products Article 15-3
|-
| rowspan="4" |{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|{{flag|England}} <br /> {{flag|Wales}}
| colspan="2" align="center" | 5<ref name="cypa">{{cite web |title=section 5, Children and Young Persons Act 1933 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/23-24/12/section/5 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref><br>On licensed premises: 18<ref name="s146LA">{{cite web |title=section 146, Licensing Act 2003 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/17/section/146 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref><br />or 16 <sup>(for beer, wine or cider with a table meal and if accompanied by adult)</sup><ref name="s150LA">{{cite web |title=section 150 Licensing Act 2003 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/17/section/150 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" | 18<ref name="uk">{{Cite web|title=Licensing Act 2003|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/17/contents|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>
|
* It is prohibited to give a child under the age of 5 alcohol, unless for medical reasons.<ref name="cypa"/>
* It is prohibited to sell alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 18,<ref name="s146LA" /> but 16-17 year olds may consume beer, wine, or cider on licensed premises when at a table meal with an adult who is accompanying them.<ref name="s150LA"/>
* It is not illegal for under 18s to possess or consume alcohol, but the police can confiscate alcohol from under 18s in public.<ref name="CAYPA97">{{cite web |title=Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/33 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref> 
* Import: People over 17 are entitled to a duty-free allowance for alcohol beverages.<ref name="UK Duty Free">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-outside-the-eu|title=Bringing goods into the UK – 3. Arrivals from outside the EU|website=gov.uk|access-date=17 June 2017}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Scotland}}
| align="center" | None
| align="center" | 18<ref name="S102LSA">{{cite web |title=section 102, Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/16/section/102 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="S104ALSA">{{cite web |title=section 104A, Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/16/section/104A |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref><br />16 <sup>(beer, wine, cider or perry with a meal if purchased by an adult aged 18 or older)</sup><ref name="s104BLSA">{{cite web |title=section 104B, Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/16/section/104B |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" | 18<ref name="scotland">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-young-people-law|title=Alcohol and young people – GOV.UK|website=gov.uk|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>
|
* It is prohibited to sell alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 18,<ref name="S104ALSA" /> and liqueur confectionery to persons under the age of 16.<ref name="s104">{{cite web |title=section 104, Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/16/section/104 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>
* The police can confiscate alcohol from those below the drinking age in public.<ref>{{cite web |title=section 61, Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/48/section/61 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref> Those aged 16–17 may consume beer, wine, cider, or perry on licensed premises with a meal.<ref name="s104BLSA" />
*Import: People over 17 are entitled to a duty-free allowance for alcoholic beverages.<ref name="UK Duty Free" />
|-
|{{flag|Northern Ireland|}}
| align="center" | 14<ref name="CYPANI">{{cite web |title=section 25, Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1968/34/section/25 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}, with [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1968/34/section/180 s180]</ref>

| align="center" | 18<ref name="A60LNIO">{{cite web |title=article 60, Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1996/3158/article/60 |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>
| colspan="2" align="center" | 18<ref name="A60LNIO" />
|
* It is illegal for persons under 14 to be given alcohol, and then only for medical purposes.<ref name="CYPANI" />
* It is prohibited to sell, serve, or offer alcohol beverages to anyone under the age of 18. Minors are prohibited to consume alcohol beverages in public<ref name="A60LNIO" /> and the police can confiscate alcohol from under 18s in public.<ref name="CAYPA97" />
|-
| colspan="5" |{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|Under the [[British Beer and Pub Association|BBPA]]'s [[Challenge 21|Challenge 21 and Challenge 25]] schemes, customers attempting to buy alcohol beverages are asked to prove their age if in the retailer's opinion they look under 21<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beerandpub.com/campaigns/challenge-21/|title=Challenge 21|website=British Beer and Pub Association}}</ref> (or optionally 25) even though the law states they must be a minimum of 18. Many supermarket and off-licence chains display Challenge 21 (or Challenge 25) notices stating that they will not serve people who look under 21 (or 25) without ID.
|}