Lyla Lindsey
Austria has one of the most relaxed alcohol policies in Europe, with a drinking age of 16 for non-distilled drinks such as beer and wine. However, the drinking age for spirits varies across the country's regions, with some federal states enforcing a drinking age of 18 for beverages containing spirits. While drinking in public is generally permitted in Austria, there are exceptions to this rule, such as a ban on drinking in stations and on public transport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drinking Age in Austria | 16 years |
| Drinking Age in Vienna, Burgenland, and Lower Austria | 18 years |
| Public Drinking | Legal, but forbidden in stations and on public transport |
| Public Drunkenness | Heavy fines for drink-related anti-social behaviour |
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What You'll Learn
- Drinking in public places is broadly legal in Vienna, Austria
- Drinking in stations and on public transport is forbidden
- The drinking age in Austria was raised to 18 in 2019
- Drinking laws in Austria vary depending on the region
- Research shows that the low legal drinking age in Austria causes harm to young people
Drinking in public places is broadly legal in Vienna, Austria
Drinking in public places is generally permitted in Vienna, Austria, although there are some notable exceptions to this rule. While it is legal to drink in parks and other open spaces, drinking in stations and on public transport is prohibited. Despite the legality of drinking in public, it is generally looked down upon in Vienna, and public drunkenness can result in heavy fines.
Until 2019, the drinking age in Austria was 16 years old. However, new research highlighted the negative impact of this low drinking age on young people's health, with alcohol consumption among 16-year-olds skyrocketing by 90% compared to those under that age. This led to an increase in alcohol-related hospitalisations, with a 42% higher chance of alcohol intoxication for 16-year-olds.
As a result of these findings, the federal states of Austria decided to raise the drinking age. The states of Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Vienna increased the age limit for alcoholic beverages containing spirits to 18 years old. This change brought Austria in line with the majority of countries worldwide, which have a minimum legal drinking age of 18.
Vienna has varying restrictions on opening hours for establishments serving drinks. Most restaurants can open as early as 6 am and stay open until 2 am, while bars typically operate from 10 am to 4 am. Heuriger, or wine taverns, must close by midnight, and sausage stands cannot open after midnight. It is worth noting that the actual opening hours depend on the establishment's classification and the owner's preferences.
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Drinking in stations and on public transport is forbidden
In Austria, the legal drinking age is set at 16 years. However, in 2019, the federal states of Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Vienna raised their age limits for alcoholic beverages containing spirits to 18. This change brought these states in line with the majority of countries worldwide, which set the minimum legal drinking age at 18.
While drinking laws in Austria are regional and may differ depending on the location, there are certain restrictions and exceptions that apply broadly. Drinking in public places is generally permitted, but there are notable exceptions to this rule. One such exception is that drinking in stations and on public transport is strictly forbidden. This prohibition extends to all types of public transport, including buses, trains, and trams.
It is important to note that drinking culture and social norms in Austria may differ from other countries. While drinking in public places may be legal, it is often frowned upon in cities like Vienna. Additionally, public drunkenness can result in heavy fines, as there are strict regulations against drink-related anti-social behaviour. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of local customs and regulations when consuming alcohol in public places in Austria.
The drinking culture in Austria has been a subject of concern due to its impact on youth. Research has shown that the low legal drinking age of 16 years has contributed to significant alcohol-related harm among Austrian teenagers. The amount of alcohol consumed by Austrian minors increases substantially once they reach the legal drinking age, leading to a higher probability of alcohol intoxication and hospitalization. This has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of the current drinking age limit in protecting young individuals from the negative effects of alcohol.
To summarize, while the legal drinking age in most of Austria is 16, certain states have raised the limit to 18 for beverages containing spirits. It is important to be mindful of regional variations and local norms when consuming alcohol in public. Additionally, the impact of the low drinking age on Austrian youth has sparked concerns, highlighting the potential need for stricter regulations to protect their health and well-being.
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The drinking age in Austria was raised to 18 in 2019
In January 2019, the federal states of Austria decided to raise the drinking and purchasing age of alcoholic beverages containing spirits to 18 years. This decision was made by the states of Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Vienna, which previously had a general drinking and purchasing age of 16 years. The new law brought these states into alignment with the majority of countries worldwide, which have a minimum legal drinking age of 18.
Prior to the change, Austria had a relatively low minimum legal age for alcohol consumption, which allowed 16-year-olds to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. This low drinking age was found to have negative effects on young people's health and contributed to widening health inequality in Austrian youth. Research by economists Alexander Ahammer, Stefan Bauernschuster, Martin Halla, and Hannah Lachenmaier revealed a high level of alcohol harm among Austrian children and youth. They found that once Austrians reached the age of 16, the amount of alcohol consumed in the previous week increased significantly, leading to a higher probability of alcohol intoxication and hospitalization.
The decision to raise the drinking age in the three federal states was likely influenced by the desire to protect young people from the harmful effects of alcohol and to reduce health inequalities. By aligning with the majority of countries that have a minimum drinking age of 18, these Austrian states took a proactive approach to address the issues associated with early and excessive alcohol consumption.
While the legal drinking age in Austria is now 18 in the states of Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Vienna, it is important to note that drinking laws can vary regionally. For example, the laws in Vienna may differ from those in other parts of the country. Additionally, while it is broadly legal to drink in public places in Vienna, there are significant exceptions, such as stations and public transport. Drinking in public outside of bars, pubs, and restaurants is generally frowned upon, and public drunkenness can result in heavy fines.
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Drinking laws in Austria vary depending on the region
In terms of consumption patterns, Austrians typically drink at bars, restaurants, pubs, and clubs, similar to other European nationalities. However, one unique drinking tradition in Austria is the "Schanigarten," which refers to courtyard gardens and pavement terraces that emerge during the summer months in cities, attracting both locals and tourists.
When it comes to specific states, the laws vary even further. In Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol, the consumption of distilled beverages is prohibited for those under 18. Carinthia takes a slightly different approach, prohibiting minors from consuming drinks with more than 12% alcohol content. Additionally, adolescents in Carinthia must maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%.
Styria has similar laws to Carinthia, prohibiting individuals under 18 from consuming drinks with more than 14% alcohol. In Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Vorarlberg, the restrictions on alcohol consumption specifically apply to drinking in public. Salzburg also prohibits public drinking that leads to intoxication.
It is worth noting that drinking in public places is generally allowed in Austria, with some exceptions. Individuals of legal drinking age (16 for beer and wine, and 18 for spirits) can drink in public parks or squares as long as they do not cause any disturbances. However, certain cities or regions may designate specific areas where drinking in public is prohibited, such as near stations or on public transportation.
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Research shows that the low legal drinking age in Austria causes harm to young people
In Austria, the legal drinking age is 16, and this is a cause for concern. Research has shown that the low legal drinking age in the country is causing harm to young people. The amount of alcohol consumed by 16-year-olds in Austria increases significantly, with the average weekly alcohol consumption rising from 55 grams to 105 grams. This amounts to an additional three 0.5-litre bottles of beer per week. The effects are more pronounced in boys and children from socially disadvantaged families. The likelihood of consuming five or more alcoholic drinks on a single occasion (binge drinking) in the previous month increases by 10%, and the probability of hospitalisation due to alcohol intoxication increases by 42%.
The low drinking age contributes to widening health inequalities among Austrian youth. The products and practices of the alcohol industry have severe adverse effects on children and adolescents, impacting their development into healthy adults. Lowering the drinking age provides easier access to alcohol, which can lead to excessive consumption and long-term health problems. Alcohol consumption at a young age can cause liver damage, brain damage, and addiction. It can interfere with growth, leading to issues later in life, and increase the risk of accidents and fatalities. Additionally, drinking at an early age elevates the chances of developing a dependency on alcohol in adulthood and negatively impacts brain development.
The social and educational spheres are also influenced by underage drinking. It can lead to violent behaviour, altered family relationships, and problems with studies and risk-taking behaviours. The Vienna Youth Protection Act (2002) sets the drinking age at 16 for beverages like wine and beer, while the purchase of distilled spirits is restricted to those aged 18 and over. However, the protection of minors regarding alcohol consumption is not uniformly regulated across Austria, with federal states having varying restrictions. For example, in Upper Austria, minors are prohibited from entering nightclubs and establishments serving only distilled alcohol. In Salzburg, visiting liquor bars and nightclubs is prohibited for minors.
To address the issue of alcohol harm among young people, targeted measures have been suggested for vulnerable children and youth from socially disadvantaged families or those with a history of household alcohol problems. These measures aim to provide better protection and reduce the negative consequences of early alcohol exposure. While public drinking is not prohibited in Austria, drunkenness in public can result in heavy fines for anti-social behaviour. The legal drinking age varies across Europe, with some countries, such as the United Kingdom, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to consume certain alcoholic beverages with a meal when accompanied by an adult, but setting the purchasing age at 18.
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Frequently asked questions
The drinking age in Austria is 16. However, rules can differ based on the region and the type of alcohol.
Alcoholic drinks are split into different groups, with each group having its own rules and age limits. For instance, in 2019, the states of Burgenland, Lower Austria and Vienna raised their age limits for alcoholic beverages containing spirits to 18.
Drinking in public is broadly legal in Austria. However, there are significant exceptions, such as stations and public transport. Drinking in public outside of bars, pubs, restaurants, and picnic sites is generally frowned upon.
Austria has a rich drinking culture, with Vienna alone boasting about 3,500 courtyard gardens and pavement terraces where people can drink outdoors. Austrians rank second worldwide in beer drinking, with 96.8 litres per person each year. However, Austrian culture also values responsible drinking habits.
