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 greatly relaxed drug laws with regard to private use. You can grow and smoke drugs in your own home or in other private places like the “cannabis clubs” you`ll see across the country. Public health agencies are also in the process of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. To be clear, under Spanish law, selling or serving alcohol to minors under the age of 18 is punishable by a minimum fine of €30,000 and a maximum fine of €600,000, but this loophole is often exploited. Drinking alcohol at a young age is dangerous for several reasons. In the case of petrol stations, they should not be allowed to sell alcohol containing more than 20 degrees of alcohol. Spain is a popular holiday destination, and for many people, that means enjoying a few drinks and soaking up the sun.

For others, however, it means excessive alcohol consumption and perhaps even the use of illegal substances, which can lead them to end up on the wrong side of Spain`s drug and alcohol laws. Unfortunately, some Britons see Spain as a fairly liberal and open place to drink and party without consequences, but it is easy for them to clash with the Spanish authorities, who often do not hesitate to put drunk tourists in cells at night. Here is some information about the laws surrounding alcohol and drug use in Spain to help you avoid legal problems. At the national level, alcohol consumption in Spain is classified as a minor offence in public spaces, on roads, in establishments or on public transport. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been additional strict rules against gatherings in public places affecting young people who are used to gathering to drink. 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. There is also a limit to the blood alcohol level in each person and also in drivers. Experienced drivers have the limit of 250 micrograms of alcohol per liter of breath and 150 micrograms of alcohol per liter of breath for drivers who have obtained their driver`s license for 2 years or less.

The aim is to ensure road safety. The question is not as simple as it seems, as some soft drinks can affect young people in unexpected ways. Ok, as we just described, if you want to walk around your local store and grab a bottle of your favorite liquor, you need to do it before 10pm. But you have to be over 18 to buy alcohol in Spain (some people, even locals, believe they can buy at 16). Stores have to ask for ID if they think you`re a minor, and they`re pretty strict about that, so make sure you have a valid ID with you. In Spain, the national minimum age for the purchase and consumption of alcohol is 16 years. Despite some suggestions to raise the legal drinking age to 21, it remains unchanged at 18, which some people consider quite young. It is important to mention at this point that the European Union is concerned about the practice of excessive alcohol consumption and that the rules of Member States such as Spain follow the debate within the European Union on this issue. Alcohol consumption varies considerably from country to country, as does the legal drinking age. In the United States, you must be at least 21 years old to buy or consume alcoholic beverages (with some exceptions in some countries).

Surprisingly, this is one of the highest ages in the world to drink. In the northern United States is Canada, which has a legal drinking age of 18 to 19, and the legal drinking age is much lower in many other countries. In fact, some countries don`t have a minimum age to consume alcohol (although there may be a minimum age to buy alcohol) – although the vast majority of these countries still have laws on the age you need to buy alcoholic beverages. Conversely, alcohol consumption is completely prohibited in some countries (usually under strict Muslim rule). The most well-known reason for the law behind the legal drinking age is the effect on the brain in teenagers. As the brain is still maturing, alcohol can have a negative effect on memory and long-term thinking. For a long time, the drinking age in Spain was 16, then it rose to 18 in some regions, but today and since 2009, THE DRINKING AGE IN SPAIN IS 18 IN ALL REGIONS. This change in the law came after a series of incidents of underage drinking. Despite some suggestions to raise the legal drinking age to 21, it remains unchanged at 18, which some people consider quite young.

It is important to mention at this point that the European Union is concerned about the practice of excessive alcohol consumption and that the regulations of Member States such as Spain follow the debate within the European Union on this issue. Children may come if they are accompanied by their parents or guardians who prove that they are fully under their responsibility, as long as the activities of the institution do not cause physical, psychological and moral harm. The same goes for kombucha. It is a fermented drink, so it may contain alcohol from fermentation. However, in grocery stores, kombucha can usually be found in the non-alcoholic section. This drink is also allowed in the Muslim religion (which strictly prohibits alcohol) and is considered halal. You`ll be surprised to learn that national laws don`t usually refer to on-site alcohol consumption, but rather to outdoor spaces such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and unlicensed spaces. This usually means that a child can drink an alcoholic beverage at home at the discretion of the parents. I`m not saying it`s perfectly acceptable to drink alcoholic beverages if you`re underage, but if you look older than your age, bartenders usually won`t ask for your age or ID. But you still have to be careful.

The safe is safe. You`ll be surprised to learn that national laws generally don`t apply to on-site alcohol consumption, but to outdoor spaces such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and unlicensed spaces. This usually means that a child can drink an alcoholic beverage at home at the discretion of the parents. The method of calculating the legal age for alcohol is slightly different from the calculation of Korean age, where another year is added to the age of the person, while this method does not take into account the month and day of birth, but only the year. [105] Children may come if they are accompanied by their parents or guardians who prove that they are fully and under their responsibility, provided that the activities of the institution do not cause physical, psychological and moral harm. The minimum age to consume legal alcohol in Spain is 18, as in many other countries. The minimum age to drink alcohol in Barcelona or Madrid is the same as in the rest of Spain: 18. It is legal to consume alcohol in Spain while it is supervised by parents.

For a long time, the drinking age in Spain was 16, then in some regions it rose to 18, but today and since 2009, THE DRINKING AGE IN SPAIN IS 18 IN ALL REGIONS. This change in the law came after a series of incidents of underage drinking. However, when it comes to possessing or selling drugs in a private place, the laws in Spain can be harsh. Many tourists see cannabis clubs in places like Barcelona and assume that local police will turn a blind eye to any drug use, but in Spain there are strict drug and alcohol laws in these cases. Even if you have a small amount of drugs in a public place, you can be arrested and imprisoned, while those caught selling drugs can be prosecuted and sentenced to jail. Anyone who sells to minors or possesses particularly large quantities of drugs may be punished by up to 21 years. Drinking alcohol on the street is prohibited in Spain and you can be fined. Fines range from €500 for minors to over €600 for people over the age of 18. Although boys tend to consume more alcohol, it is girls who are more likely to get drunk.

This means an increase in the risks associated with alcohol consumption. After all, the organism is not yet fully developed at this age. In addition, it can cause liver failure and hormonal imbalance in adolescents due to the constant changes and maturation of hormones during puberty. [3] Adolescents are also particularly at risk when drinking alcohol,[4] as they may not have the necessary knowledge about low-risk alcohol consumption. In fact, public health researchers have found that people`s age to drink the first full serving of alcohol is significantly related to knowledge of low-risk alcohol consumption and beverage counting.