The age of alcohol consumption varies from country to country and when planning a trip to Spain, it is important to understand what can and cannot be done. This becomes especially important in a country like Spain, where the legal drinking age in Spain and the culture of alcohol consumption in the country are two very different things. So, if you plan to travel to Spain and enjoy the incredible culture of bars and drinks that the country enjoys, it is good to understand the peculiarities and avoid difficulties. In this article we will cover the age of alcohol consumption in Spain so that you can plan your trip without surprises. More interesting tips for traveling to Spain can also be found in our special section. Spain has regulations similar to those of most European Union countries, where alcohol consumption is allowed at the age of 18 (which is common in the vast majority of countries in the world). Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Austria are an exception in Europe, where under-18s are allowed to drink beer and wine, but no spirits. This reality is different from the United States, where the drinking age is 21 (this is the case in about 11 countries around the world). Muslim countries do not allow alcohol consumption and some countries in Spain have had problems with underage drinking in recent years. You can hear locals talking about Botellón, which literally translates to “big bottle,” a practice where teenagers hang out on the street and get drunk. The government has proposed that underage drinkers and their families be fined if caught, but the more liberal Podemos party has suggested offering family counseling instead to address the root cause of the problem. In many areas, shops selling to underage drinkers are subject to heavy fines or closure.
Note that the legal drinking age only prohibits 18 and under from purchasing alcoholic beverages, but they are not prohibited from drinking them. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to drink alcohol if you are under 18 years old in Spain, only if you are not the one who bought it and if you consume it indoors. The minimum age to legally drink alcohol in Spain is 18, as in many other countries. So there you have it. If you`re planning to visit Spain and experience the country`s rich drinking tradition, spectacular local festivals, and bar culture, make sure you do it responsibly and stay out of trouble. In Spain, each state or region must comply with the law on the legal drinking age of 18. No exemption. The forbidden fruit is sweet. Eventually, your child will get drunk and it`s best not to obsess over drinking to annoy their parents. If you are young and curious about participating in adult behaviors such as drinking, suggest it to your parents. See if it works.
The legal drinking age in Spain was 16, but there are many incidents of drunk and wasted teenagers, so in 2009 they changed the law and raised the legal drinking age nationwide to 18. Spain has clear laws on this issue and a quick look at official statistics would show that teenagers start drinking alcohol around the age of 13 or 14. Culturally, the age of alcohol consumption seems to be much more permissive than actual laws. It is legal to consume alcohol in Spain while it is supervised by parents. Also, if you try to buy alcohol in a store after 10pm in Spain, you will be turned away. The sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. is illegal in Spain. It is possible to find stores that sell you alcohol after 10 years, but it is 100% illegal and if you get caught, you will be punished.
The minimum age for buying and consuming alcohol in Spain is 18, which is quite young compared to the rest of the world. This includes buying alcohol in bars and clubs, restaurants and shops. However, people under the age of 18 can buy beer or wine when they are with their parents, and there is no minimum age to drink alcohol at home, so it is up to parents to decide whether they think their child is allowed to drink. Of course you can. Don`t get used to drinking too much non-alcoholic beer. These regulations are local and regional and may vary from region to region. We strongly recommend that you do not drink alcohol in public places. Spain is one of the best places in the world to enjoy a cold drink. The country is famous for its bars, taverns and terrazas and enjoys countless festivals that make underage drinking very common, but are still frowned upon. If children under the age of 16 wish to taste the wines in Spain, a parent or elderly person will allow the person under the age of 16 to purchase alcoholic beverages. The law states that it is illegal for minors to buy alcoholic beverages, but the law does not apply to drinking alcohol at home.
However, this is not the case in all countries of the world. In the United States, for example, the legal age is 21 and in Canada it is 19. In addition, there are countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria or the Nordic countries where 16-year-olds are legally allowed to consume low-alcohol or moderate beverages (beer, wine). Each country has different laws. If you plan to visit Spain, make sure you know some of its simple laws, just like the legal age to avoid going to the police station on vacation. Here are some things you should know about the age of alcohol consumption: Despite Spain`s strict drug and alcohol laws, Spaniards have one of the highest rates of drug use in Europe. Cannabis and cocaine are among the most commonly used illicit drugs, according to police and government agencies, but the availability of over-the-counter medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills means there are also large numbers of people addicted to these substances. The minimum age to consume alcohol in Barcelona or Madrid is the same as in the rest of Spain: 18 years.
There is no situation where you should drink and drive. Period. The legal limit is 250 micrograms of alcohol per liter for a breathalyzer test and 0.5 grams per liter in your bloodstream if you had to have a blood test. If you have been driving for 2 years or less, the amount allowed in a breathalyzer test is 150 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. In this sense, according to the Ministry of Health, “the risk to the physical, mental and social health of young alcohol users is taking on worrying dimensions”. This is why Spain strictly observes its drinking age. So, would you tolerate minors drinking kombucha, non-alcoholic beer, or alcohol-free wine? I don`t think so, because it cultivates a culture of alcohol consumption and later leads people to make a smooth transition to drinking alcoholic beverages. It is the same thing, the legal age to consume alcohol is 18 in these cities and throughout the country. There is technically no age limit for drinking at home. As long as an adult has purchased the drink, minors can consume as long as they are at home and safe. We don`t recommend it, but it`s very unlikely that the police will check, unless neighbors call for noise, etc.