Minimum Legal Age Limits (2024)

Afghanistan[prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][varies by religion][n/a]Penal Code Art 349-352
Law to Fight Against Alcoholic Beverages and Narcotic Substances and to Control ThemAlbania18181818[none found]Consumption in public places by those under 18 is prohibited.Law 9518 of 18 April 2006 For the protection of minors from the use of alcohol Art 4Algeria1818[none found][none found][none found]Order No. 26-75 of 1975 Art 14Andorra18181818[none found]Consumption in public places by those under 18 is prohibited.Decree 16-6-2004 Approving Regulation of Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic BeveragesAngola[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction]18 in Luanda[pending verification]Antigua and Barbuda1818[none found][none found][none found]Licensing (intoxicating liquor) (Amendment) Act Ch 249 (2018)Argentina1818[none found][none found][none found]Law No24.788 Combating Alcoholism (Official Bulletin 3rd April 1997) Art 5Armenia1818[none found][none found][none found]Code of Administrative Offences Art 158
Criminal Code Art 166Australia18*18*[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction]*Exceptions may apply if accompanied by a responsible adult.Regulated at state/territory level. See Youth Law Australia: Alcohol
Capital Territory: Liquor Act (2010)
New South Wales: Liquor Act (2007)
Northern Territory: Liquor Act (1987)
Queensland: Liquor Act (1992)
South Australia: Liquor Licensing Act (1997)
Tasmania: Liquor Licensing Act (1990), see also Sale or Supply of Alcohol to Youths (Police Offences Act 1935)
Victoria: Liquor Control Reform Act (1998)
Western Australia: Liquor Control Act (1988)Austria[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found][varies by beverage]yesOn- and off-premise, consumption: 18 for spirits, 16 for other alcohol beverages
Each federal state prohibits sale of alcohol beverages to anyone under 16 years of age.
Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tirol, and Voralberg also prohibit sale of spirits and mixed drinks (whether pre-mixed drinks or co*cktails) to anyone under 18 years of age.National Youth Protection Act 2002
Austrian Federal Government: Overview by stateAzerbaijan1818[none found][none found][none found]Law on Children's Rights Art 9Bahamas1818[none found][none found][none found]Liquor Licences Act Ch 372: 22Bahrain[varies by religion][varies by religion][varies by religion][varies by religion][n/a]Prohibited for Muslims;
none found for othersPenal Code 1976 as amended through 2010 Art 307Bangladesh21*21*21*21*[verification pending]Sale is prohibited except to holders of a permit from the Department of Narcotics Control over the age of 21; Muslims may only obtain a consumption permit for medical reasons.Narcotics Control Act 2018,Ministry of Home Affairs Alcohol Control Rules 2022Barbados181818[none found][none found]Liquor Licenses Act 2021 Art 27Belarus1818[none found][none found]yesLaw No. 429-Z on State Regulation of Production and Turnover of Alcoholic, Non-food Alcohol-containing Products and Non-food Ethyl Alcohol Art 11.4Belgium[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found]yeson- and off-premise, supply:
18 for distilled beverages of higher than 1.2%ABV and fermented beverages of higher than 22%ABV;
16 for other alcohol beveragesAct of 24 January 1977 on the protection of consumer health concerning food and other products Art 6Belize1818[none found][none found][none found]Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Law CAP. 150, as revised December 2000Benin202020[none found][none found]Decree of 10 June 1942 regulating the production, import, advertisem*nt, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in French West Africa, as cited inRepublic of Benin Report to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child CRC/C/BEN/2, 24 November 2005Bhutan1818[none found][none found][verification pending]Rules and Regulations For Establishment And Operation of Industrial And Commercial Ventures in Bhutan 1995, Rule 17
Notification No. Kha(12-7)/89/5070 dated 26 April 1993Bolivia1818[none found][none found]yesConsumption of alcohol beverages without food in the company of minors under 18 years of age is prohibited in public places.Law 259 Against the Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages, July 2012Art 20Bosnia and Herzegovina181818[none found]yesLaw on Public Peace and Order 2015 Art 25
Law on Internal Trade 2010 Art 10Botswana181818[none found][none found]Liquor Act No.9 of 2004Art 32
Children Act 2009 Sec 2, 60Brazil181818[none found][none found]Presidential Amendment 13,106 of 17 March 2015of
Law 8096 (1990) Statute on Children and AdolescentsArt. 243
Decree-Law 3,688 (1941) Law on Criminal MisdemeanorsBrunei[prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][varies by religion][n/a]Non-Muslims over 17 years of age are allowed to import alcohol not to exceed maximum total volume 2 L of spirits and 12 330 mL cans of beer for personal use, once in 48 hours. This alcohol must be “stored and consumed at the place of residence of the importer” and is “not to be given, transferred or sold to another person.”Liquor Form, Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of FinanceBulgaria18181818[none found]Health Act 2005 Art 54, 218
Child Protection Act Art 5b, 45Burkina Faso1818[none found][none found][none found]Penal Code Art 532-23Burundi18*18*[none found][none found][none found]*unless accompanied by parentPenal Code Art 501-502 (Law No1/05 of 22 April 2009)Cabo Verde18181818yesLaw No. 271/V/97 Art 1.1, 4
Law No. 51/IX/2019 Art 2-3Cambodia[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Cameroon18*18*[none found][none found][none found]*unless accompanied by person aged 21 or above in a supervisory roleLaw No 2016/007 of 12 July 2016 Penal Code Article 348Canada[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][none found][verification pending]18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec;
19 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.

Drinking by minors under adult supervision is permitted in licensed premises in Manitoba and New Brunswick and at home in Prince Edward Island, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan

Act respecting Offences Relating to Alcoholic Beverages, CQLR c I-8.1Central African Republic[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Chad18*18*[none found][none found][none found]*unless accompanied by supervising adultLaw 2017-01 Penal Code Chapter 6 Art 376-378Chile18*181818yes*Minors may be served alcohol beverages if accompanied by a parent at an establishment serving food.Law 19.925 on the Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Art 3, 29, 42China1818[none found][none found]yesMacau autonomous region has established legal purchase age of 18, to enter into force in November 2023.Ministry of Commerce Decree No. 25 of 2006 Art 19
Law on the Protection of Minors 2020 Art 57
Macau SAR Law No. 6/2023 System for prevention and control of underage drinking of alcohol beverages Art 4Chinese Taipei181818[none found]yesTobacco and Alcohol Administration Act 2000 Art 30, 35
Protection of Children and Youth Welfare and Rights Act as amended in 2019 Art 91Colombia18181818yesDecree 120 of 21 January 2010 Adopting measures related to consumption of alcohol Art 17
Law 1098 Code on Children and Adolescents 1986 Art 20Comoros[varies by religion][varies by religion][none found][varies by religion][none found]Production of alcohol beverages by Muslims, their sale to Muslims, and their consumption by Muslims are prohibited;
On- and off-premise: 21 for others.Penal Code Arts 229-6, 229-7Congo, Democratic Republic of[verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending]Congo, Republic of181818[none found][none found]Law No.4-2010 of 14 June 2010 Child Protection Code Art 69, 123Costa Rica18181818yesDecree 17410 (2010) Law Regulating Alcohol Beverages Art 14
Law 9047 on Sale and Consumption of Alcohol Beverages 2012 Art 13-14, 16Cote d'Ivoire[verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending]Croatia1818[none found][none found]yesTrade Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Croatia 87/2008, 116/2009, 76/2009, 114/2011, 68/2013 and 30/2014) Art 11Cuba1616[none found][none found][none found]Resolution No 334/04, Official Gazette 7 January 2005
Penal Code Art 313Cyprus18181818yesSale of Alcoholic Beverage Law (Cap 144) Art 5ACzech Republic181818[none found]yesAct No. 65/2017 Coll. Protection of health from harmful effects of addictive substances Title III Sec 11(5), Title II Sec 6(1)Denmark18[varies by beverage][none found][none found]yesOff-premise: 16 for beverages of 1.2%-16.5%ABV; 18 for alcohol beverages of 16.5%ABV or higher.Act prohibiting the sale of tobacco and alcohol to persons under 18 Art 16, 18Djibouti[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Dominica1616[none found][none found][none found]Laws of Dominica Liquor Licences Act Chapter 70:03, Part IV, Sec 15(f)Dominican Republic1818[none found][none found][none found]Law No.136-03: Code for the protection of the rights of Children and Adolescents 2003 Art 22Ecuador1818[none found][none found]yesReforms of the General Rules on the Natural Law for Consumer Protection, 11 June 2001 No.344 Art 53-54Egypt2121[verification pending][verification pending][verification pending]Law No. 371 of 1956 concerning public shops and the resolutions implementing it Art 25
Law of Public PlacesArt 2
Law of Recreational Places and Law 63/1976Art 24El Salvador181818[none found][none found]Law regulating the production and sale of alcohol and alcohol beverages No 640 of 1996 Art 49
Penal Code Art 147-DEritrea181818[none found][none found]Penal Code Art 267Estonia18181818yesAlcohol Act 1999 Art 19Eswatini1818[none found][none found][none found]Liquor Licences Act of 1964 Art 65Ethiopia2121[none found][none found][none found]Proclamation 1112/2019 Art 18Equatorial Guinea1616[none found][none found][none found]Penal Code 1963 Art 584-7-9Fiji1818[none found][none found]yesLiquor Act 2006 Art 61-63Finland18[varies by beverage][none found][varies by beverage][none found]18 for beverages up to 22% ABV; 20 for other beveragesAlcohol Act 1143/94, amended 1477/94 Sec 37, 83France1818[none found][none found]yesCode of Public Health Art L3342Gabon1818[none found][none found][none found]Penal Code Art. 209bis-1Gambia1616[none found][none found][none found]Liquor License Act S16Georgia1818[none found][none found][none found]Law on Protecting Minors from Harmful Influences 2001 Art 4Germany[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found][none found]16 for beer and wine (14 if accompanied by parent or guardian), 18 for spirits
Those below 18 years of age are not permitted in premises licensed as bars, nightclubs and similar entertainment venues.Protection of Young Person Act 2002 andAmendment BT-DRS. 15/2578Ghana1818[none found][none found][none found]Liquor Licensing Act 331-1970 Sec 15Greece1818[none found]18[none found]Law 3730/2008Protecting minors from tobacco and alcoholic beverages, and other provisions Art 4Grenada16[none found][none found][none found][none found]Chapter 174 Liquor Dealers' Licenses Act 1988 Art 39Guatemala18181818[none found]Public Health Code 1998 Art 50Guinea[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Guinea Bissau[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Guyana18*18[none found][none found][none found]*16 for wine or malt liquor to be consumed with a mealIntoxicating Liquor Licensing Act 1998 Art 54-55Haiti[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a]The Senate voted on a proposed Law on the protection of minors from alcohol beverages, to establish a legal purchase age of 18 and related implementation measures, in December 2012; it has not yet been enacted.Honduras1818[none found][none found]yesThe definition of punishable gang activity for minors aged 12-18 includes drinking alcohol beverages in public places.Decree 226 of 2001 Art 68, 90-91, 146
Code of Children and Adolescents Art 97Hungary1818[none found][none found]yesLaw 155 on Consumer Protection 1997 Sec16/AIceland202020[none found]yesAlcohol Act No. 75/1998 Art 18India[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction]Purchase ages:
18 in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Sikkim, and Puduch*erry
21 in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Orissa (Odisha), Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal
25 in Meghalaya, Punjab
Sale is prohibited: Bihar, Gujarat, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Lakshadweep[various - see state Excise Acts and related regulations]Indonesia[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction]yesSale is prohibited in Banda Aceh and Papua;
21 elsewhere for both on- and off-premise saleMinistry of Trade Regulation No 20/2014 Art 15
Aceh Law No 6/2014 (Oct. 22, 2014) Art 3
Papua Provincial Regulation No 15/2013Iran[prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][varies by religion][n/a][n/a]Iraq[verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending]Ireland18181818*yes*Parents can permit their underage child to drink in private residences.Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 Sec 13Israel1818[none found]18[none found]Business Licensing Law 2010 (26th amendment)
Law to control alcohol intoxication 2010Italy1818[none found][none found][none found]Penal Code Book III Title I Art 689 as amended byLaw 189/2012Jamaica1818[none found][none found][none found]Spirit License Act 42/1995 Sec 62
Child Care and Protection Act 2004 Sec 40Japan2020[none found]20yesUnderage Drinking Act 2001Jordan1818[none found][none found][none found]Royal Decree (October 2001)Kazakhstan2121[none found]18yesCode of public health and the healthcare system Art 110
Code of Administrative Offenses 2014 Sec 200Kenya1818[none found][none found]yesThe Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2010 Part III Licensing 24.1, Part IV 28.3Kiribati2121[none found]21[none found]Liquor Ordinance 1973 Art 11
Liquor (Amendment) Act 12-2005 Art 27Korea, Democratic People's Republic of1818[none found][none found][none found][verification pending]Korea, Republic of19*19*19*[none found][none found]*Being 19 is defined, for the purposes of this legislation, as effective from January 1st of the 19th year after one's birthJuvenile Protection Act 2010 Art 2, 28Kuwait[prohibited][prohibited][verification pending][verification pending][n/a]Law No 46/1964Kyrgyzstan1818[none found][none found][none found]Law 269 of 13/09/2009 Art 13.2Lao People's Democratic Republic1818[none found]18[none found]Law on Control of Alcoholic Beverages 2015
Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Children
2007 Art 48-49Latvia18181818yesTrade in Alcohol Law Sec 6 Law on protection of the rights of the child Sec 3, 27, 48, 77-79Lebanon181818[none found][none found]Penal Code Art 625-626Lesotho181818[none found][none found]It is a defense for selling or supplying alcohol beverages to a person under 18 if the agent "took reasonable measures to determine the age of the person" or "had reasonable grounds" to believe they were of age.Liquor Licensing Act 1997 Sec 39Liberia181818*[none found][none found]*"this section shall not apply to a parent or guardian who serves an alcoholic beverage to his child or ward"Penal Law of 1976 Sec 16, 50.7Libya[prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][n/a]Law No 4 of 1923 Art 1Liechtenstein[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found]Across age limits: 18 for spirits and alcopops; 16 for other alcohol beveragesChildren and Youth Act 2008 Art 5, 69Lithuania18181816yesLaw on Alcohol Control I-857/1995 Art 18, Code of Administrative Offenses Art 178-180Luxembourg161616[none found][none found]Law prohibiting the sale of alcoholbeverages to minors below 16 years of age 2006Madagascar[verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending]Malawi1818[none found][none found][none found]Liquor Act Sec 2, 74Mali1818[none found][none found][none found]OrderN°02-062/P-RM ofJune05, 2002 Child Protection Code Art 45Malaysia[varies by religion][varies by religion][varies by religion][varies by religion][none found]sale to Muslims is prohibited; 21 otherwise for on- and off-premiseFood Act Regulation 1985/361 as updated through 2014 Art 4, State and Federal Territories Syariah Criminal Offences EnactmentsMaldives[prohibited*][prohibited*][prohibited*][prohibited*][n/a]*Consumption is prohibited to citizensPenal Code Law No. 6/2014 Sec 616
Ministry of Trade and Economic Development regulations issued in 2009 reportedly establish licensing procedures for resort bars to serve alcohol beverages to foreign citizens.Mali1818[none found][none found][none found]OrderN°02-062/P-RM ofJune05, 2002 Child Protection Code Art 45Malta17171717[none found]Trading Licences Act Subsidiary Legislation 441.07Regulation 13 as amended through 2011 Art 7
Cap 10 Code of Police Laws Art 185, 316Marshall Islands21212121yesAlcoholic Beverage Control Act 1971 Art 111(i)
Alcohol Restriction Act of 1994 Art 202(1)Mauritania[prohibited][prohibited][verification pending][verification pending][n/a]Ordinance 83-162 of July 9, 1983 on institution of a Penal CodeMauritius1818[none found][none found]yesChild Protection Act 30/1994 Sec 16, 18
Public Health Act Regulations 2008Mexico18181818[none found]General Health Law as amended through 2007 Art 220Micronesia, Federated States of[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending]21 in states of Pohnpei and Yap; 18 in states of Kosrae and ChuukState CodesMoldova1818[none found][none found]yesLaw 1100/2000 on Alcohol Production and Saleas amended through 2012Art 30
Decree 473/2012 Technical regulations on Beer and Drinks Based on Beer Sec 9Monaco1818[none found][none found][none found]Ordinance 2,533 of 1941 on manufacture, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages Art 8Mongolia21212121*[none found]*Parents and guardians are prohibited to supply alcohol beverages to young people under 18.Law to Combat Alcoholism 2000, as amended through 2011 Art 7-8Montenegro1818[none found][none found][none found]Law on Public Order (Official Gazette 64/2011) Art 25
Law on Tourism 2010 Art 104Morocco[varies by religion][varies by religion][none found][none found][none found]sale to Muslims is prohibited; 16 for non-MuslimsLegislative Decision No. 3.177.66 of 1967 Art 28-30Mozambique1818[none found]18yesDecree 35/2002 Regulation of Law 6/99 Access of Minors to Alcoholic Beverages​
Decree 54/2013 Regulations on the Control of the Production, Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages (2013), Article 5.1 & 7.1Myanmar181818[none found][none found]The Excise Act 1958 Art 40(7)
Child Law 1993 Art 65Namibia18181818yesLiquor Act 1998-6 Art 56Nauru21212121[none found]Liquor Ordinance 1967 Art 33Nepal1818[none found][none found][none found]Liquor Act 2031-10 Art 4A.6
Hotel Management and Sale and Distribution of Liquors (Control) Act as amended through 2010Netherlands18181818yesAlcohol Act Art 20, 45New Zealand181818*[none found]yes*It is a defense to a charge under this provision if the person supplying the alcohol is a parent or guardian of the minor, and supplies the alcohol in a responsible mannerSale and Supply of Liquor Act 2012 Art 239-241Nicaragua1818[none found][none found][none found]Law 287/1998 Art 66Niger1818[none found][none found][none found]Penal Code Art 302Nigeria[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][none found][none found][none found]Purchase age of 18 in Abuja
Prohibited in Borno stateAbuja Municipal Area Council Bye-Law (2001) Section 15Niue1818The Liquor Act 1975/2 Art 11Norway[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found]yesBoth on- and off-premise sales:
18 for beverages of 0.7-22%ABV
20 for beverages of 22%ABV and above - this applies to supply by ay personLaw 1989-27 Act on the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages Sec 1-5
Regulation 2005-38 Alcohol Regulations Sec 2-4North Macedonia1818[none found][none found]yesLaw on Trade Art 24Oman1818[none found][none found][none found]Royal Decree No. 7/2018 issuing the Penal Code Art 285-287Pakistan[prohibited*][prohibited*][prohibited*][prohibited*][n/a]*Provincial governments may issue licenses for manufacture, sale, and consumption.
Non-Muslim citizens may possess alcohol to be used in accordance with religious ceremoniesProhibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order ofFebruary 19th, 1979
Sindh Prohibiton ordinance 1978Palau21212121[none found]A reasonable belief based on seeing identification documents may be considered in mitigation of penalty but not as a defense to liability for sale to underage persons.11 P.N.C. 2014 Sec 1002(h), 1067-1068Panama181818[none found][none found]Law 3 of 1994 Family Code Art 561Papua New Guinea[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found][varies by beverage][none found]18 for beverages of 0-7.3%ABV and above 37%ABV;
none for othersLiquor Licensing Act 1963 Art 103
In January 2022, the Special Parliamentary Committee on Alcohol-Related Violence announced terms of reference to review this act to close a gap;the act only regulates beverages of 0-7.3%ABV and above 37%ABV, but not those in between.Paraguay202020[none found]yesLaw 1642 of 2000 Art 1Peru181818[none found][none found]Law 28681 of 2006
Regulation of Law 28681 Art 14Philippines181818[none found][none found]Act Regulating the Access of Minors to AlcoholPoland1818[none found][none found]yesAct on Upbringing in Sobriety and the Prevention of Alcoholism Art 15Portugal181818[none found]yesDecree-Law no 50/2013as amended by Decree-law no 106/2015Qatar[prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][n/a]Foreigners holding valid residence permits can apply for licenses to purchase alcohol beverages from the Qatar Distribution Company.Law No 11 of 2004 Art 272Romania1818[none found]18[none found]Law 61/1991 as amended through 2011 for sanctioning the violation of rules of social life, the public order Art 22-23Russia18181816yesPenalties apply to parents of those under 16 years of age who consume alcohol beverages in public places.Law 171-1995 State regulation of the turnover of alcohol Art 16
Code of Administrative Offences, Art 6.10, 20,22Rwanda181818[none found][none found]Law no17 of 2018 relating to the protection of the child Art 17 and definitions
Organic Law implementing the Penal Code 01/2012/OL Art 219Saint Kitts and Nevis1616[none found][none found][none found]Liquor Licences Act Sec 32(f)Saint Lucia16[none found][none found][none found][none found]Chapter 13.17 Liquor Licence Act Art 37Saint Vincent and the Grenadines16[none found][none found][none found][none found]Liquor License Act Sec 27-28Samoa21*2121[none found]yes*may sell or supply to persons aged 18 and above who are accompanied by parent or legal guardian and consuming a substantial meal​Alcohol Control Act 2020 Art 16-18San Marino1616[none found][none found][none found]Law No. 139 of November 26, 1997Sao Tome and Principe[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Saudi Arabia[prohibited][prohibited][verification pending][verification pending][n/a][n/a]Senegal1818[none found][none found][none found]Decree 97-338 of 1997 Art 12Serbia181818[none found]yesLaw 62/2014 Consumer Protection Art 24Seychelles1818[none found][none found][none found]Chapter 113 Licenses Act as amended through 27th September, 2010 Art 14Sierra Leone[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Singapore181818[none found][none found]It is a defense to prosecution for the sale or provision of alcohol to underage persons if the party "had taken all reasonable steps to ascertain" their age.Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 05/15 Part 3 Art 11Slovakia18181818yesLaw 219/1996 on protection against the abuse of alcoholic beverages and the establishment and operation of abstinence rooms Sec 2, 3Slovenia181818[none found]yesAct Restricting the Use of Alcohol Art 7-11Solomon Islands212121[none found][none found]Liquor Act (Ch. 144) Sec 72Somalia[prohibited][prohibited][verification pending][verification pending][n/a][verification pending]South Africa181818[none found]yesLiquor Act No. 59 of 2003 Sec 1, 10South Sudan1818[none found][none found][none found]The Child Act 2008 Art 5, 24(2)Spain18*18*[none found][none found][verification pending]*Baleares Islands autonomous region does not have specific regulation limiting the sale of alcohol beverages to minors.Access autonomous region legislation on theMinistry of Health, Social Services and Equality: Alcohol and youth - LegislationSri Lanka2121[none found][none found][none found]It is a defense to the sale or provision of alcohol beverages to underage persons if the party "took all reasonable steps to ascertain" that they were of age.National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act 27 of 2006 Part II Art 31Sudan[varies by religion][varies by religion][varies by religion][varies by religion][n/a]Prohibited for Muslims, none for othersLaw No. 12 of 2020 Penal Code Art 78-79Suriname1818[none found][none found][none found]Law 44 of 2015 on Further Amendment of the Criminal Code art 536Sweden18[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found]yesOff-premise and supply by any person: 18 for folk beer (2.25-3.5%ABV) and 20 for other beveragesAlcohol Act (SFS 2010:1622) Cap 3 Art 7-9Switzerland[varies by beverage and jurisdiction][varies by beverage and jurisdiction][none found][none found]yes18 for spirits
16 or 18 for beer and wine depending on the CantonOrder on foodstuffs and consumer goods of 23 November 2005 Art 11
Federal Law on Alcohol of 21 June 1932, as amended through 2011 Art 41
Federal Customs Administration: Prevention and protection of minorsSyria[verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending][verification pending]Tajikistan181820*[none found][none found]*Parents are prohibited allowing their children under 20 years of age to consume alcohol beveragesLaw 451 of 1997 on State Regulation of Production and Turnover of Ethyl Alcohol and Alcohol Products Art 12
Law No. 762 on Parental Responsibilities for Raising Children (2011) Art 8Tanzania1818[none found][none found][none found]Law No. 21 Law of the Child (2009) Art 4, 17Thailand2020[none found][none found][none found]Alcohol Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 Sec 29Timor-Leste[none found][none found][none found][none found][n/a][n/a]Togo[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found][none found]18for wine, beer, or cider; 20 for other alcohol beveragesOrdinance No. 34 of 1967 Code of alcohol beverage outlets and anti-alcoholism measures Art 29Tonga181818[none found][none found]Intoxicating Liquor Act Cap 84 Art 65-66Trinidad and Tobago1818[none found][none found][none found]Liquor Licences Act Cap 84:10 Art 60, as amended 2002Tunisia[varies by religion][none found][none found][none found][none found]On-premise: prohibited for Muslims; 18 for others (nightclubs)Law 59-147 Regulation of beverage outlets and similar establishments Art 35
Law 2004-75 Art 4Turkey1818[none found][none found][none found]Regulation about Retail Sale of Tobacco and Tobacco Products and Alcohol and Alcoholic Drinks 11 January 1998 Art 5Turkmenistan2121[none found][none found][none found]Law on Prevention of the Harmful Impact of Alcohol 2018 Art 22-2
Law no Trade Art 33
Code of Administrative Offences Art 315, 356Tuvalu1818[none found][none found]yes**"Evidence for the purposes of this section may be oral or documentary."Alcoholic Drinks Act Art 99, 121Uganda18*18[none found][none found][none found]*16 for beer, wine, perry, porter, cider, or native liquor with a meal in a meal-service section of the premisesLiquor Act of 1960 Cap 93 Art 19Ukraine1818[none found][none found]yesLaw on state regulation of production and circulation of ethyl, cognac and fruit alcohol, alcohol beverages, tobacco products, and liquids used in electronic cigarettes and fuel Art 15-3United Arab Emirates[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction]yesSale, supply, and consumption are prohibited in Sharjah.
21 elsewhereFederal Law No 3 of 1987 of the Penal Code, Article 313 (bis)United Kingdom18*185[none found]yes*16 for beer, cider, and wine with a meal and bought by and accompanied by an adult. This does not apply in Northern Ireland.Licensing Act 2003and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005United States of America21*21*[varies by jurisdiction][varies by jurisdiction]yesSeetheNIAAA Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS)for more details
*18 for on-premise and off-premise sales in Puerto Rico (Law 118, 18 October 1984) and the U.S. Virgin IslandsThe National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (Title 23 U.S.C. §158)Uruguay181818[none found][none found]Code of Childhood and Adolescence Art 187Uzbekistan2121[none found][none found]yesLaw on limiting the distribution and use of alcohol and tobacco products 24 May 2023 Art 21Vanuatu18181818[none found]Liquor Licensing Act Art 17Venezuela181818[none found][none found]Natural Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents 5/266 1998 Art 92Vietnam18181818[verification pending]Prime Minister's Decision 2044 QD-TTg: National Policy on Prevention of Harmful Use of Alcoholic Beverages 2014-2020
Decree 117/2020 / ND-CP on administrative sanctions in the health sectorYemen[prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][prohibited][n/a][verification pending]Zambia[varies by beverage][varies by beverage][none found][none found][none found]On premise: 16 for traditional beer; 18 for other beverages
Off-premise: 16 for traditional beer; 14 for other beverages (none for a licensee's family members or servants / delivery persons)Liquor Licensing Act 20/2011 Art 46-47
Traditional Beer Regulations Art 9Zimbabwe18*18*18*[none found][none found]A parent or guardian may consent to the supply of alcohol beverages to the child who is younger than 18.Chapter 14:12 Liquor Act Art 84, 116