Youth protection (alcohol sales)
German: Jugendschutz (Alkoholabgabe) Also known as: JuSchG, Altersgrenze Alkohol, begleitetes Trinken
Youth Protection Act rules on the age from which alcoholic drinks may be sold or consumed.
The Youth Protection Act provides that beer, wine, sparkling wine and similar drinks may be supplied to people aged 16 and over, while all other alcoholic drinks, especially spirits and spirit-containing mixed drinks, require an age of 18. Young people aged 14 and over may consume beer, wine and sparkling wine when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Sellers and hospitality operators must check age when in doubt. Violations can be punished with fines. Vending machines may offer alcohol only with effective age verification. A cabinet bill of August 2026 would abolish the accompanied-drinking exception for 14-year-olds; the Bundestag has not yet decided. The applicable regulations are authoritative.
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