German Government will not raise legal drinking age

Germany | In a response to a minor interpellation by the Green Party, the government said on 18 February 2020, that it does not see any grounds for raising the legal drinking age to 18.

It is more promising to encourage young people to use alcohol responsibly and to create a general awareness of the potential dangers of alcohol, the Government replied to the Green Party’s interpellation.

Per Germany’s Youth Protection Act, beer, wine and wine-like beverages may not be sold to children and young people under the age of 16. The legal drinking age for spirits is 18.

Alcohol consumption drops

The Ministry of Health pointed out that per capita alcohol consumption has declined over the past few years to an estimated 10.6 litres of pure alcohol (2018), while alcohol intake among those aged 18 to 24 has remained flat since 2014. Fewer youngsters (aged 12 to 17) admitted to having consumed alcohol. Binge drinking has also been on the wane.

In view of the data, the government believes that its strategy is working. It will continue to rely on monitoring and information campaigns.