How old do you have to be to get served alcohol in Spain ?I don't know the legal age but if you look like you can handle it they will probably serve you. I've never seen anyone "carded" there. 18, but if u look like it and u say u are convincingly, you're golden. the legal age for buying alcohol in Spain is 18. if you can walk in the bar, pay money, and drink the liquor, you can have it! 18 to drink. I hear that it is rare to get carded though
Like other European countries, this law is not very well enforced. In addition, the region of Castile supposedly lowered its drinking age to 16. 18 - officially, less unofficially. it is 18 but some bar tenders turn a blind eye to young people drinking , my nieces are 15 and on their last holiday they were drinking smirnoff ice , noone seemed to mind although they didn't buy them !! 18. Legally. yeah i was totally wondering the same thing, since i'm living in spain for 5 months. i've heard like so many different answers too. 16 or 18, but i guess its really 18. though no one ever gets caught. little tentative to really just walk into a bar and order a margarita lol, cuz then if i do get caught or w/e i get sent home. g'luck, don't get caught ;) 18, but if you look 18 altho u r under it, they will still serve u. I was 17 when i went to madrid and there was no problem at all. Legal Drinking Age
The legal drinking age for different countries varies dramatically, from 0 to 21, as seen in the table below. The United States has the highest drinking age in the world.
The Problem
Dr. Ruth Clifford Engs of Indiana University, an internationally-known health educator and alcohol researcher, believes that the minimum drinking age of 21 in the US is too high.
Dr. David J. Hanson of the State University of New York at Potsdam evaluates research regarding the effectiveness of age 21 minimum age legislation.
The Solution
The world's leading anthropologist of drinking, Dr. Dwight B. Heath of Brown University, recommends: Teach Safe Drinking to Your College Bound Teen.
Sociologist Dr. David J. Hanson explains why It's Better to Teach Safe Use of Alcohol.
Educational leader Dr. Roderic B. Park proposes that we create Drinking "Learner Permits" for Under-Age Persons.
The problem of identifying the optimum drinking age to reduce alcohol abuse is likely to continue. It involves issues of freedom, responsibility, parental rights, religion, politics and many other realms of life. And it is a very important problem so let the discussion begin.
World Drinking Ages No Minimum Age 16 Age 18 Age 19 Age 20 Age 21
Armenia Antigua Argentina South Korea Japan (UNITED STATES)
Azerbaijan Austria Barbados Iceland
China Belgium Bermuda
Fiji France British Virgin Islands
Nigeria Germany* Chile
Poland* Greece* Czech Republic
Portugal Italy Estonia
Soviet Georgia Netherlands* Hong Kong
Thailand Norway* Indonesia
Viet Nam Poland Jamaica
Spain* Israel
Turkey* Latvia
Switzerland* Luxembourg (age 17 with an adult)
Mexico
Mongolia
Phillipines
Russia
Slovak Republic
South Africa
United Kingdom (age 16 in restaurants)
Uruguay
Australia
Bahamas
Brazil
Canada (age 19 in some provinces)
Colombia
Denmark
Finland*
Hungary
Ireland
Jamaica
Lithuania
Malaysia
Moldova
New Zealand*
Peru
Puerto Rico
St. Maarten
Slovenia
Sweden*
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Venezuela
* with exceptions
The US is placed in parentheses because, while it is commonly believed that the minimum drinking age is 21, people can legally drink below that age under many different circumstances.
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act.... It does not prohibit persons under 21 (also called youth or minors) from drinking. The term "public possession" is strictly defined and does not apply to possession for the following:
An established religious purpose, when accompanied by a parent, spouse or legal guardian age 21 or older
Medical purposes when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital or medical institution
In private clubs or establishments
In the course of lawful employment by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer.鈥?1
Many of the states that have chosen to specifically prohibit alcohol consumption by those under age 21 have a variety of exceptions. For example,
Some States allow an exception for consumption when a family member consents and/or is present. States vary widely in terms of which relatives may consent or must be present for this exception to apply and in what circumstances the exception applies. Sometimes a reference is made simply to "family" or "family member" without further elaboration.
....
Some States allow an exception for consumption on private property. States vary in the extent of the private property exception which may extend to all private locations, private residences only, or in the home of a parent or guardian only. In some jurisdictions, the location exception is conditional on the presence and/or consent of the parent, legal guardian, or legal-age spouse.
Some States also allow exceptions for educational purposes (e.g., students in culinary schools), religious purposes (e.g., sacramental use of alcoholic beverages), or medical purposes. 2
Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Consumption of Alcohol as of August 5, 2005 3
Note: This map is based on statutes and regulations only. It does does not include exceptions created by case law (judicial decisions), custom, or application of constitutional protections.
Laws are constantly changing and efforts are made to provide accurate and current information. However, this information cannot be guaranteed as to accuracy, is not intended as legal opinion or advice, and is not a substitute for the services of an attorney. Those in need of information about the application of law to their circumstances are encouraged to consult a qualified lawyer.
References and Readings
Additional Information
Underage Alcohol Abuse Prevention Facts & Information
Call for Lower Drinking Age in Vermont
Underage Kids or Military Heroes?
The National Minimum Legal Drinking Act of 1984
Drinking Age in the U.S. Military
Alcohol in the News (Underage Drinking section)
Police Chiefs Question Drinking Age of 21
We Would All be Better off if the Drinking Age were 18
Underage Drinking 鈥淐an鈥檛 be Stopped鈥?/div>
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