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. When it comes to drinking in restaurants and bars, as long as you are supervised by elderly people, the waiters will serve the minors without question. You may have to order them for yourself, but as long as you don`t overdo it and put the establishment in danger of being punished, you should be fine. 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. 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 allow children under 16 who want to taste the wines in Spain, so a parent or elderly person would allow the person under 16 to buy 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.
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. 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. In recent years, there have been problems with underage alcohol consumption in Spain. 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. One of the most important things to know is the alcohol law. In Spain, the minimum age for buying and consuming alcohol is 18 years.
So make sure your children are 18 before buying beer or wine, even if they are accompanied by their parents or other adults. 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. In Spain, each state or region must comply with the law on the legal drinking age of 18. No exemption. Chemically, alcohol is an organic compound formed during the fermentation of cereals, vegetables or fruits. Medically, alcohol is classified as a sedative (as opposed to a stimulant like caffeine or a hallucinogen like psilocybin) with a variety of physiological effects. 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. 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.