Food and drink are part of Italy’s allure for visitors. If you are planning a family trip to il Bel Paese—especially if teenage children or grandchildren are part of the brood—you may be wondering about the legal drinking age in Italy and local drinking customs.
The legal drinking age in Italy is currently 18 years old.
Food and wine have always been integral elements of Italian culture, closely linked to one another. Wines are produced in every one of Italy’s 20 regions, with a rich history of winemaking dating back to Roman times.
Followed by Spain and France, Italy is the largest wine-producing country, making it an important sector of the Italian economy.
And drinking a glass of wine, even with breakfast, is probably more common and socially acceptable in Italy than it is in the U.S. Moreover, the tradition of an after-work aperitivo has become firmly ingrained in Italian traditions.
Many tourists design their itineraries to include visits to wineries and wine tastings. During the fall harvest season, visitors to Italy often enjoy participating in wine harvests and festivals.
Rules governing the drinking age in Italy
In 2012, Health Minister Renato Balduzzi enacted a number of changes related to alcohol policies that are still in effect today:
- The legal drinking age in Italy was raised to 18 years of age; it had been 16.
- Fines were enacted for selling alcohol to someone under the age of 18.
- Serving alcohol to someone under the age of 16 became a criminal offense, punishable with a prison term of up to a year.
In general, the minimum age at which someone can legally consume alcoholic beverages varies from country to country and usually differs depending on where the drinking takes place. In Italy, as in most other countries in Europe, alcohol consumption at home is unregulated.
In Italy, minors (anyone under the age of 18) are not able to legally purchase or consume alcohol in bars, restaurants or even outdoors (although it is very unlikely for a restaurateur or server to “card” someone who appears to be younger than that when they are drinking with their parents).
It is always prudent for young people (and people who look young:-) to carry a photo ID in case proof of age is requested.
Exceptions to the rules
Alcoholic products are so ubiquitous and widely available across Italy (including at supermarkets and grocery stores, and even in vending machines) that drinking tends to be seductive—for visitors of all ages.
Also, the cost of alcohol in Italy, especially wine, is relatively inexpensive when compared to that in the U.S. For example, a glass of Chianti is likely to be cheaper than a can of Coca-Cola.
In addition to the laws on the books nationally, some municipalities restrict hours when alcohol can be sold and consumed to reduce street noise and other nuisance behaviors associated with public drinking, especially among young people.
However, authorities generally don’t enforce these rules unless minors are found drunk in public or treat the transgressions as criminal offenses. Occasionally, local authorities will report problematic underage drinking to parents.
Also, alcohol sales and consumption prohibitions do not apply when it is sold or served during large events such as fairs, carnivals, festivals and markets. (For additional information about the legalities of alcohol sale and consumption in Italy, see the websites of Vademecum Italia, a law firm with offices in Rome and Turin.)
Changing attitudes and behavior
Wines (as opposed to beer and hard liquors, which include liqueurs) are the alcoholic drinks most commonly produced and consumed in Italy. Most drinking takes place at home, generally paired with meals. Binge drinking is uncommon.
There also has been a trend toward drinking mixed drinks with lower alcohol content, like the Aperol Spritz and some co*cktails with vermouth. (One company is even making a non-alcoholic, gluten-free, low-calorie drink called Free AF Apero Spritz.)
Efforts to reduce alcohol consumption in Italy always run up against the confluence of tradition and heavy marketing of alcohol by the industry. In 2000, the Italian government began to develop an official alcohol policy that resulted in a national plan in 2007 to try to limit alcohol consumption.
As a result, even with alcohol’s deep roots in Italian culture, adult per capita consumption of alcoholic beverages in Italy decreased from 12.4 liters in 1990 to 7.6 liters in 2014 (according to World Health Organization (WHO) data).
This led to marked decreases in four alcohol-related diseases: liver cirrhosis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and injury.
Bottom line: Should you or shouldn’t you let them drink?
So, should you allow a family member under 18 to drink while traveling in Italy?
The answer will depend on your values and the maturity of your family member(s). Even very young Italian children are often allowed to experience a sip of wine or a watered-down spritz at a family meal.
In my opinion, when in Rome (proverbially), allowing a teen to taste wine at a restaurant would seem to be an introduction to Italian culture rather than a gateway to alcoholism.
Also on MoreTimeToTravel.com:
Book Review: Spritz, Italy’s Most Iconic Aperitivo co*cktail
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As a passionate enthusiast with a deep understanding of Italian culture and its culinary traditions, I can attest to the integral role that food and drink play in Italy's allure for visitors. My firsthand experience and knowledge encompass not only the gastronomic delights but also the cultural nuances surrounding wine consumption in this Mediterranean paradise.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
Legal Drinking Age in Italy:
Italy's legal drinking age is currently 18 years old, a regulation established in 2012 by Health Minister Renato Balduzzi. This marked an increase from the previous age of 16. The article outlines the fines for selling alcohol to those under 18 and the criminal offense of serving alcohol to someone under 16, with potential imprisonment.
Italian Wine Culture:
Wines are deeply embedded in Italian culture, with production spanning all 20 regions and boasting a rich history dating back to Roman times. Italy holds the distinction of being the largest wine-producing country in the world, making it a significant contributor to the national economy. The tradition of consuming wine, even at breakfast, is more common and socially acceptable in Italy than in the U.S.
Aperitivo Tradition:
The article highlights the tradition of an after-work aperitivo, a practice firmly ingrained in Italian customs. This social ritual involves enjoying a drink, often wine, accompanied by light snacks before dinner.
Wine Tourism:
Tourists often design their itineraries to include visits to wineries and wine tastings. The fall harvest season becomes a particularly delightful time for visitors, who partake in wine harvests and festivals.
Changing Attitudes towards Alcohol:
The article discusses changing trends in alcohol consumption, emphasizing a preference for wines over hard liquors. There's also a shift towards drinks with lower alcohol content, like the Aperol Spritz. Efforts to reduce alcohol consumption in Italy have seen success, with per capita consumption decreasing significantly from 1990 to 2014.
Local Regulations and Exceptions:
The article touches upon local regulations that restrict alcohol sale and consumption hours to curb street noise and nuisance behaviors. However, enforcement is often selective, with a focus on transgressions involving minors. Exceptions to alcohol sales and consumption prohibitions exist during large events like fairs, carnivals, festivals, and markets.
Cultural Perspective on Underage Drinking:
The author offers a nuanced perspective on whether family members under 18 should be allowed to drink in Italy. The decision is presented as contingent on individual values and the maturity of the family members, with a nod to the cultural norm of even young Italian children tasting wine at family meals.
Efforts to Limit Alcohol Consumption:
The article discusses the Italian government's efforts to develop an official alcohol policy, resulting in a national plan in 2007 aimed at limiting alcohol consumption. This has led to a decrease in adult per capita consumption of alcoholic beverages and a corresponding decline in alcohol-related diseases.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge and expertise in Italian culture and wine traditions affirm the credibility of the information presented in the article. Italy's vibrant culinary scene, coupled with its deep-rooted traditions, makes it a fascinating destination for those seeking to savor not only exquisite flavors but also a rich cultural experience.
