From five-figure fines to imprisonment: how EU countries are combating the sale of alcohol to minors

Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025

Delfi

Countries vary in minimum alcohol purchasing ages, with Greece implementing stricter penalties for underage sales.

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Greece has implemented stricter penalties for selling alcohol to minors, classifying such offenses as criminal rather than administrative. Violators face fines, administrative penalties, and up to five years in prison for repeated offenses, with repeat offenders facing store closures or license revocation. Sellers must now check purchasers’ identification at all points of sale. In contrast, Czech Republic’s enforcement of the 18+ rule is not strictly controlled, with police action often relying on reports, and social norms sometimes tolerate underage drinking in certain settings. Austria prohibits those under 16 from possessing or consuming alcohol, and while sellers must check ID, enforcement is infrequent, making it easy for minors to obtain alcohol. In Lithuania, the legal minimum age for alcohol purchase is 20, and violations are most often detected through public reports, with penalties for businesses ranging from fines to license revocation for repeat offenses.

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