Drinking Laws In Austria: Underage Drinking And Teen Tourism

In Austria, the legal drinking age for beer and wine is 16, and 18 for distilled spirits and other strong alcoholic beverages. This applies to both residents and tourists, regardless of nationality. Austrians are allowed to buy and consume beer and wine in public places such as bars, restaurants, and festivals. However, they must be 18 or older to purchase spirits such as schnapps, gin, and vodka.

Drinking laws in Austria for 16-year-olds

In Austria, the legal drinking age for beer and wine is 16, and 18 for distilled spirits and other strong alcoholic beverages. This applies to both residents and tourists alike.

Purchasing Alcohol

Austrian law permits 16-year-olds to buy beer and wine without any restrictions. However, the sale of stronger alcoholic beverages, such as distilled spirits, is restricted to individuals who are 18 or older. Supermarkets are typically strict about enforcing these laws, while enforcement in restaurants and bars is more relaxed, especially for beer and wine.

Drinking in Public

In Austria, drinking in public places is generally permitted, with some limitations. As long as you are of legal drinking age (16 for beer and wine, and 18 for spirits) and are not causing any disturbances, drinking in public parks or squares is acceptable. However, some cities or regions may have designated areas where drinking in public is prohibited, such as certain streets, stations, or public transportation.

Drinking with Parents

In Austria, there is no specific legal drinking age when accompanied by parents or legal guardians. Parental discretion is allowed when it comes to minors consuming alcohol in the presence of their parents.

Enforcement

Selling alcohol to individuals below the legal drinking age is against the law in Austria. It is the vendor's responsibility to check the identification of anyone who appears to be underage and to refuse the sale of alcohol to them. Similarly, if an adult purchases alcohol for a minor, they may face legal consequences.

Drinking in public in Austria

In Austria, the legal drinking age for beer and wine is 16, and 18 for spirits, cocktails, and schnapps. Drinking in public is not only legal in the country but also more socially acceptable than in many other countries. However, there are some nuances to the rules around drinking in public in Austria.

Drinking in public places is generally allowed in Austria, and it is common to see people enjoying a drink in parks or squares. During the COVID pandemic, when bars and restaurants were closed, public spaces became the only places to consume alcohol outside of one's home. Even after the reopening of bars and restaurants in 2021, the habit of drinking outside has persisted.

However, it is important to note that drinking in public is forbidden in certain areas, such as the Praterstern area in Vienna, including the train station, Salzburg's main station, and certain public squares and transport hubs. Additionally, public transport companies often forbid drinking on stations, platforms, trains, and buses. Nevertheless, these rules are not always strictly enforced, and it is common to see people quietly enjoying a drink on their way home from work.

While drinking in public is legal in Austria, public drunkenness is not widely accepted. There are heavy fines for drink-related anti-social behaviour, and it is important to keep noise levels down and respect others when consuming alcohol in public spaces.

Drinking laws in Vienna

In Vienna, most drinking establishments (such as bars) may open from 10 am and stay open as late as 4 am. Discos and clubs may remain open until 6 am. However, it is important to note that drinking in public places like stations and on public transport is forbidden. While drinking in public outside of bars and restaurants is generally legal, it is frowned upon in Vienna.

The sale of alcohol to individuals below the legal drinking age is against the law in Austria, and vendors are responsible for checking the identification of anyone who appears underage and refusing the sale of alcohol to them. Similarly, adults who purchase alcohol for minors can face legal consequences.

Drinking laws in other Austrian states

In Austria, the drinking laws vary across the different states. Here is a summary of the drinking laws in Austrian states other than Vienna, as Vienna's drinking laws have already been discussed:

• Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol: In these states, the consumption of distilled beverages is prohibited for those under the age of 18.
• Carinthia: Carinthia prohibits drinks containing more than 12% alcohol for minors. Additionally, adolescents are required to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%.
• Styria: Similar to Carinthia, Styria prohibits the consumption of drinks with more than 14% alcohol for those under 18.
• Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Vorarlberg: In these states, the prohibitions on alcohol consumption apply only to drinking in public.
• Salzburg: While Salzburg also prohibits drinking in public spaces, it specifically forbids consumption that would result in a state of intoxication.
• Vienna: As previously mentioned, drinking laws in Vienna are distinct from other Austrian states. Drinking in public places is broadly legal in Vienna, with some exceptions, such as stations and public transport.

It is important to note that drinking laws can change, and it is always a good idea to check the most up-to-date information for a particular region before consuming alcohol as a minor.

Enforcement of drinking laws in Austria

In Austria, the legal drinking age for beer and wine is 16, and 18 for spirits and other strong alcoholic beverages. Enforcement of these drinking laws varies depending on the type of establishment and the region within Austria.

In supermarkets, enforcement of drinking laws is generally strict, with vendors responsible for checking the identification of anyone who appears underage and refusing the sale of alcohol to them. On the other hand, enforcement in restaurants and bars is quite lax, especially for beer and wine. This is true for both Vienna and the rest of Austria.

While drinking in public is legal in Austria, there are certain places where it is forbidden, such as in stations and on public transport. Additionally, drinking in public is more socially acceptable in Austria than in some other countries, as the focus tends to be on policing conduct rather than drinking itself. However, drinking in public outside of bars, pubs, and restaurants is generally frowned upon.

It is important to note that drinking and driving laws in Austria are strict, and penalties for driving under the influence can be severe. The legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is lower than in North America, at .5mg per ml of blood. For newly licensed drivers, the BAC limit is even lower at 0.1 g/L.

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