Legal drinking age - wikipedia Legal drinking age The legal drinking age is the age at which a person can legally consume or purchase alcoholic beverages. These laws cover a wide range of issues and behaviors, addressing when and where alcohol can be consumed. The minimum age alcohol can be legally consumed can be different from the age when it can be purchased in some countries. These laws vary among different countries and many laws have exemptions or special circumstances. Most laws apply only to drinking alcohol in public places, with alcohol consumption in the home being mostly unregulated ( an exception being the UK, which has a minimum legal age of five for supervised consumption in private places ). Some countries also have different age limits for different types of alcoholic drinks. Some Islamic nations prohibit Muslims, or both Muslims and non-Muslims, from drinking alcohol at any age. In other countries, it is not illegal for minors to drink alcohol, but the alcohol can be seized without compensation. In some cases, it is illegal to sell or give alcohol to minors. The following list indicates the age of the person for whom it is legal to consume and purchase alcohol. Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, India ( certain states ), the United States ( except U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico ), Yemen ( Aden and Sana'a ), Japan, Iceland, Canada ( certain Provinces and Territories ), and South Korea have the highest set drinking ages, however some of these countries do not have off - premises drinking limits. Austria, Belgium, Burundi, Denmark, Germany, Georgia, Luxembourg, Moldova and Western Sahara have the lowest set drinking ages. Contents 1 Africa 2 Americas 3 Asia 4 Europe 5 Oceania 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Africa Country / region De jure Notes Drinking Age Purchase age Algeria 18 Angola 18 Botswana 18 Burundi 16 No limit if accompanied by parents Cameroon 18 21 18 on the premises, 21 off the premises Cape Verde 18 Central African Republic 18 Comoros None Egypt 21 Equatorial Guinea 18 Eritrea 18 Ethiopia 18 Gabon 18 Gambia 18 Ghana 18 Guinea - Bissau None Kenya 18 Lesotho 18 Libya Illegal Malawi 18 Mauritius 18 Morocco 18 Forbidden for Muslims Mozambique 18 Namibia 18 Niger 18 Nigeria 18 Republic of the Congo 18 Rwanda 18 Senegal 18 Seychelles 18 Somalia Illegal South Africa 18 The parent, adult guardian of a minor or a person responsible for administering a religious sacrament, may on occasion supply to that minor a moderate quantity of liquor to be consumed by the minor in the presence and under the supervision of that parent, guardian or other person. South Sudan 18 Sudan Illegal Swaziland 18 Tanzania 18 Togo None Tunisia 18 Uganda 18 Western Sahara 16 Zambia 18 Zimbabwe 18 Americas Country / region De jure Notes Drinking age Purchase age Anguilla 16 Antigua and Barbuda 16 The sale and distribution of alcohol to a person under 16 years of age is illegal. Argentina 18 Bahamas 18 Barbados 18 Those aged 10 -- 17 are allowed to consume alcohol provided they are with a parent or guardian. Belize 18 Drinking age is rarely enforced. IDs are almost never requested. Bermuda 18 Bolivia 18 Brazil 18 British Virgin Islands 16 It is illegal to sell or to supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 16. Canada 18 In Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18. 19 In Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut, the legal drinking age is 19. Cayman Islands 18 Chile 18 The minimum age is 18 to enter an enclosure that sells alcoholic beverages. Selling alcohol to a minor may incur a fine. One must provide identification upon request. Residents of Chile over the age of 18 must carry their Chilean identification card issued by the Civil Registry and Identification Service at all times. Colombia 18 Costa Rica 18 Cuba 16 Dominican Republic 18 Ecuador 18 El Salvador 18 Falkland Islands 18 Grenada 16 Guatemala 18 Guyana 18 Except 16 for wine or malt liquor to be consumed with a meal Haiti None Honduras 18 Jamaica None 18 Minors can drink if accompanied by parent or legal guardian as well as someone with permission from their parent or legal guardian. Mexico 18 A person must be eighteen years or over to legally purchase and consume alcoholic beverages in Mexico. The drinking age however is n't strictly enforced, and IDs are barely requested. Nicaragua 18 Panama 18 Paraguay 20 According to Art. 1 ° of the law to `` ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors '', it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol or to allow the consumption by minors under 20 years of age. Furthermore, under Art 2 ° all public establishments selling alcohol must display a clearly legible notice in the sales area with the following text : `` ESTA PROHIBIDA LA VENTA DE BEBIDAS ALCOHÓLICAS A MENORES DE VEINTE AÑOS DE EDAD '' ( It is illegal ( prohibited ) to sell alcoholic beverages to minors under 20 years of age ) Peru 18 Puerto Rico 18 The minimum age for the selling of any alcohol beverage is 18. Although a valid Puerto Rico license ID or passport is required as proof of age to buyers who look under the age of 18, it is generally not a common practice to ask for ID to enter a venue that sells alcohol or to sell you alcohol at other establishments. This law can be more enforced in some tourist areas and on foreigners visiting the island by some more exclusive hotels, bars, and upscale clubs. A few of the more exclusive venues in the tourist areas may have their own entrance rules regarding age including not allowing anyone under the age of 25 or 23 to enter and consume alcohol or change this depending on specific nights / events and restricted by gender / sex ( i.e. women over 18 allowed to enter but only men over 21 on that same night ). Trinidad and Tobago 18 Turks and Caicos Islands 18 United States ( 50 states and integral territories ) Varies by jurisdiction 21 The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 withholds revenue from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of twenty - one. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the drinking age varied from state to state. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bars ( usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is that food is served only in the latter ). Contrary to popular belief, since the act went into law, only a few states prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2010, fifteen states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, seventeen states do not ban underage consumption, and the remaining eighteen states have family member or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws. Federal law explicitly provides for religious exceptions. As of 2005, thirty - one states have family member or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many ( but not all ) states, such as Idaho, Texas, and Maryland, is considered legal for those under the age of twenty - one. By a judge 's ruling, South Carolina appears to allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by adults eighteen to twenty years of age, but a circuit court judge has said otherwise. The states of Washington and Wisconsin allows the consumption of alcohol in the presence of parents. Some U.S. states have legislation that make providing to and possession of alcohol by persons under twenty - one a gross misdemeanor with a potential penalty of a $5,000 fine or up to year in jail. See also : Minor in Possession and List of alcohol laws of the United States United States Virgin Islands 18 Uruguay 18 Venezuela 18 Asia Country / region De jure Notes Drinking age Purchase age Afghanistan Illegal Bangladesh Illegal for Muslims Alcohol will be sold to foreigners in certain locations, albeit clandestinely. Bhutan 18 Brunei 17 with restrictions, unless Muslim Non-Muslims over 17 years of age are allowed to import alcohol not to exceed maximum total volume 2 liters of liquor and 12 cans of beer at 330 ml for personal use, once in 48 hours. This alcohol must be `` stored and consumed at the place of residence of the importer '' and is `` not to be given, transferred or sold to another person. ''. Cambodia None China 18 Introduced in January 2006. Weakly enforced to not enforced. Hong Kong 18 The regulation is only applicable to restaurants, bars and clubs, where a liquor license is required. Private drinking is also not regulated. India 18 -- 25 ( varies between states ) Main article : Alcohol laws of India Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Bihar, Gujarat and Nagaland. Indonesia 21 Iran Illegal There is a ban on alcohol, but religious minorities may purchase small amounts from shops owned by the same religious minority. Iraq 18 Israel None 18 Israel law prohibits selling or serving alcohol to minors, but it does not prohibit minors to drink. Japan 20 Jordan 18 Kazakhstan 21 Kuwait Illegal Kyrgyzstan 18 Lebanon 18 Often unenforced and according to a global school health study, 40 % of minors over 13 drink alcohol and up to 25 % buy it from stores. Macau None Malaysia 18 Will be increased to 21 on 1 December 2017 Maldives Illegal except for tourists, 18 Sale of alcohol is limited to tourist resorts. It is illegal to sell alcohol to local Maldivians Mongolia 18 Myanmar None 18 Nepal 18 The legal age for consumption of alcohol in Nepal is 18. However, there are exceptions to underage consumption for purposes of religious ceremonies. North Korea 18 Oman 21 Residents need personal liquor licenses to consume alcohol in their private residences. Pakistan Illegal Non-Muslim citizens may possess alcohol to be used in accordance with religious ceremonies Palestinian Authority 16 Legal in most cities Philippines 18 Qatar 19 Muslims are allowed to purchase alcohol, but generally not allowed to consume. Non Muslims are allowed to purchase, and consume alcohol. The only legal distributor of alcohol in the country is the Qatar Distribution Company located in Doha. Saudi Arabia Illegal Drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Persons who drink or possess alcohol are subject to arrest and trial. Punishments range from heavy fines, lengthy prison terms and whippings. Singapore None ( Private places, sometimes with permission from parents / guardian ) 18 ( Public places e.g. bars and restaurants ) 18 Main Legislation Drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden in public places in reaction to 2013 Little India riot, after the Committee of Inquiry accepts the recommendations on 7 July 2014. For convenience stores, those who pretend to be 18 years and above in a `` Challenge 18 '' scheme will be downgraded to `` Challenge 21 '' scheme, and after which the licences will be revoked once they pretend to be 18 years and above if it is on `` Challenge 21 ''. It is illegal to purchase alcohol in Singapore or consume in a nightclub / allow entry to the nightclub under 18. Home and private drinking of alcohol is allowed, although the safest age could be 6. Parents can try a sip of alcohol at any age. South Korea None 19 The age limit for alcohol is after January 1 of the year one 's age turns to 19. Sri Lanka 21 Syria 18 Taiwan 18 It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to consume alcohol. Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall prohibit underage drinking, or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 new Taiwan dollars when the situations are serious. One shall not supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. A violator shall be administratively fined 3000 to 15000 New Taiwan Dollars. Tajikistan 18 Thailand 20 The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 increased the drinking age in Thailand from 18 to 20, private drinking is not regulated in private locations. Turkmenistan 18 United Arab Emirates 18 -- 21 ( varies between states ). Expatriate non-Muslim residents may request a liquor permit to purchase alcoholic beverages, but it is illegal for such holders to provide drinks to others. The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi ( although a Ministry of Tourism by - law allows hotels to serve alcohol only to those over 21 ), and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates ( except Sharjah, where drinking alcohol is illegal ). It is a punishable offence to drink, or to be under the influence of alcohol, in public. Uzbekistan None 20 Vietnam None Yemen Illegal Exception is in Aden Region where it 's legal for 21 and up Europe Country / region De jure Notes Drinking age Purchase age Albania 18 Armenia None 18 There are no laws mandating alcohol vendors to ID potential underage drinkers. ID checks are very rarely, if ever, carried out. Austria 16 Burgenland, Lower Austria and Vienna 16 for beer and wine 18 for distilled beverages Carinthia, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol and Vorarlberg Carinthia also requires adolescents to maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05 %. Azerbaijan 18 Belarus 18 Belgium None 16 for beer and wine 18 for spirits Since 10 January 2010, it is illegal to `` sell, serve, or offer '' any form of distilled alcohol to those under the age of 18 or any alcoholic drink to those under 16. So fermented drinks like beer or wine are permitted above 16. Previously, it was illegal to sell alcoholic drinks to under - 16s, but accompanying adults could buy drinks for them. Bosnia and Herzegovina None 18 Bulgaria 18 Croatia 18 Cyprus 17 Czech Republic None 18 It is illegal to provide alcohol to minors ( punishable by fine or up to 1 or 2 year ( s ) imprisonment ). Consumption itself is not prohibited by law. Denmark None 16 to buy alcohol < 16.5 % ABV 18 to buy alcohol ≥ 16.5 % ABV 18 to be served in restaurants, bars, discos etc. While there is no age requirement for drinking alcohol in Denmark, there are laws that prevent minors from buying alcohol : In order to buy alcohol above 1.2 % and below 16.5 % ABV in stores, one must be 16 years of age. In order to buy alcohol above 16.5 % ABV in stores, one must be 18 years of age. To be served alcoholic drinks in bars, discos, clubs, restaurants and any establishment serving alcoholic beverages one must be 18 years of age. By tradition, youths are privately allowed to drink alcohol after their confirmation. If a shop or bar fails to ask for an ID card and is identified having sold alcohol to an underage, it is subject to fine. A national ID card, obtained in the local town hall, can serve as age verification. This card is rarely used though since a passport or drivers license is more commonly used. Both the legal drinking and purchasing age in the Faroe Islands is 18. Estonia 18 Finland 18 for possession and purchase of 1.2 -- 22 % ABV 20 for possession and purchase of 23 -- 80 % ABV 18 for all in bars, clubs and restaurants All major grocery chains have implemented a policy to ask for ID if the customer looks under 30. Stores may refuse to sell alcohol if the customer is accompanied by a minor, or if proxy purchasing is suspected. Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is a criminal offence. Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy any alcoholic beverages in their possession. Incidents are reported to the legal guardian and social authorities, who may intervene with child welfare procedures. In addition, those aged 15 or above are subject to a fine. In private, offering alcohol to a minor is considered a criminal offence if it results in drunkenness and the act can be deemed reprehensible as a whole, considering the minor 's age, degree of maturity and other circumstances. France None 18 France has no explicitly stated consumption age, but selling alcohol to a minor ( under 18 ) is illegal and can be fined 7500 euros. This age was raised from 16 to 18 in 2009. Georgia None 16 Germany None ( on private residence ) 16 ( in public ) ( 14 when accompanied by a custodial person ) for beer and wine 18 for spirits and aliments containing spirits above negligible amount 16 for beer and wine 18 for spirits and aliments containing spirits above negligible amounts See also : Alcohol laws in Germany Gibraltar None 16 / 18 It is illegal to sell alcoholic drinks to anyone under the age of 18. The minimum age to be served in licensed premises is 16 if : The alcoholic beverage is beer, wine or cider below 15 % ABV, or The alcoholic beverage is served in a bottle, or a pre-packaged container below 5.5 % ABV. Greece None 18 In 2008, the consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited for minors in public. However, the law does not apply to private events or private premises. Hungary 18 Iceland None 20 Possession or consumption of alcohol by minors is not an offence, but supplying them with alcohol is. However, law allows alcohol possessed by a minor to be confiscated. Ireland None ( on private residence with permission from parents or guardians ) 18 It is illegal for minors to buy alcohol or for a third party to attempt to buy it for minors. It is illegal to purchase alcohol for anybody under the age of consent without permission from their guardians. Italy None 18 In 2012 the then Health Minister Renato Balduzzi proposed to raise the age to 18. Selling alcohol to those under the age of 18 in shops carries a fine between € 250 and € 1000. Serving alcoholic beverages to those under the age of 16 is a criminal offense and is punished with prison up to one year, if the individual is 16 or 17 it will be treated as an offense that is fined between € 250 and € 1000 ( Legge n. 189 / 2013 ). Kosovo None Latvia None 18 Liechtenstein 16 for wine, beer and cider 18 for spirits and spirit - based beverages. e.g. alcopops Wine, beer and ciders as well as some other party drinks sometimes without spirits may be purchased by the age of 16. Spirits as well as alcopops may be sold only to people at least 18. Lithuania 18 Minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages or from having them. After 2018, January 1st, a new law will be put into place, changing the legal drinking age from 18 to 20. Luxembourg None 16 Macedonia 18 Must show an ID card upon request. In certain smaller places, such as family - owned convenience stores and street kiosks, there is little to no enforcement on how old or young somebody purchases alcohol. There is little to no enforcement for drinking privately, but drinking in bars may require an ID. Malta 17 Must provide identification upon request. Moldova None 16 It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 16. There is no consumption age. Montenegro None 18 Netherlands 18 The legal age for purchasing and consumption of alcoholic beverages was raised from 16 to 18 on 1 January 2014. Alcohol is commonly available upon parental permission. Selling alcoholic beverages to people under 18 is illegal, although giving it away in private is not. Norway None 18 ( < 22 % ) 20 ( ≥ 22 % ABV ) Selling alcohol to or buying alcohol for minors is illegal. Minors are defined as under 18 for beer and wine, under 20 for drinks that contain 22 % ABV or more. Minors who buy alcohol are not held criminally responsible ; instead, the crime lies with those who sold it or obtained it for them. Alcohol with more than 60 % ABV is generally not sold in Norway, although exceptions may be made by the government for specific products. Alcohol possessed by minors may be confiscated as evidence. Drinking in public is prohibited, though this is rarely enforced in recreational areas. Poland None 18 Article 15 of The Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism clearly states that buyers or persons being served must be at least 18 and prove it with ID if they look like they may not be at least that age. There is no mention of consumption age in this or any other act in Poland. Drinking on streets, town squares, and in parks is illegal regardless of age. Portugal None 18 Romania None 18 According to law 61 / 1991 updated in 2008, paragraphs 21 - 25, it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol to minors. Russia None 18 There is no law or regulation in Russia that prohibits minors from consuming alcohol, but selling alcohol to minors is prohibited by federal and additional regional laws. Serbia 18 Slovakia 18 Slovenia None 18 There is no law regulating the possession and consumption, but it is illegal to sell or offer alcohol of any kind to minors. Spain 18 Asturias was the last autonomous community in Spain where the drinking age was increased to 18 ( previously 16 ) on 1 May 2015. Sweden None None ( less than 2.25 % ABV ) 18 ( bars and restaurants ), 18 ( 2.25 % -- 3.5 % ABV in food shops ), 20 ( Systembolaget shops ), See also : Alcohol in Sweden Many clubs choose to have higher age limits than 18, commonly 20 or 23. It is legal to drink below 18, but it is illegal to sell, lend or give alcohol to someone under that age and the police can seize alcohol from them, apart from being served alcohol supervised in private `` in moderation ''. It is legal to serve an underage person alcohol in a private place. The reason for lower limit in bars than in Systembolaget shops is that bartenders have a legal responsibility for how drunk a guest gets. Switzerland None ( See notes ) 16 for fermented alcoholic drinks ( with less than 15 % ABV and natural wines with less than 18 % ABV ) ; 18 for spirits Whoever offers or supplies alcoholic beverages to a child under the age of 16 years in an amount which is harmful to one 's health is punished with imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine. Whoever sells or supplies spirits to a person under the age of 18 years is punished with a fine up to 10.000 CHF. 18 The canton Ticino prohibits selling and consumption of any type of alcohol by minors under the age of 18. Some shops and supermarkets may not sell alcohol to minors under the age of 18. Turkey 18 See also : Alcohol laws of Turkey Ukraine 18 United Kingdom 18 ( on licensed premises ) 16 ( beer, wine or cider with a meal on licensed premises ) 5 ( not on licensed premises ) None ( under medical supervision, or in an emergency ) 18 None ( liqueur confectionery ) Legislation in England and Wales : It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages on licensed premises under the age of 18, other than the following two exceptions. Minors aged 16 or 17 may consume wine, beer or cider on licensed premises when ordered with a meal, and accompanied by an adult. It is legal to sell liqueur confectionery to someone of any age. It is illegal to permit minors under the age of 5 to consume alcoholic beverages unless under medical supervision or in an emergency. Persons over 17 are entitled to their own duty free allowance, which includes alcohol. 18 ( in public without a meal or adult supervision ) 16 ( beer, wine or cider on licensed premises with meal ) 5 ( on private premises ) 18 16 ( beer, wine, cider or perry with a meal on licensed premises ) None ( liqueur confectionery ) Legislation in Scotland : It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages in public under the age of 18. Minors aged 16 or 17 may consume wine, beer or cider on licensed premises when ordered with a meal. It is legal to sell liqueur confectionery to someone of any age. Persons over 17 are entitled to their own duty free allowance, which includes alcohol. 18 Legislation in Northern Ireland : It is illegal to sell, serve, offer or consume alcoholic beverages in public under the age of 18. Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 ( applies to all of the United Kingdom ) Under the BBPA 's Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 schemes, customers attempting to buy alcoholic beverages are asked to prove their age if in the retailer 's opinion they look under 21 ( or optionally 25 ) even though the law states they must be a minimum of 18. Many supermarket and off - licence chains display Challenge 21 ( or Challenge 25 ) notices stating that they will not serve persons who look under 21 ( or 25 ) without ID. Oceania Country / region De jure Notes Drinking age Purchase age American Samoa 21 Australia 18 Main article : Alcohol laws of Australia Varies by state. Some states restrict possession and consumption to over 18, all states restrict purchasing to over 18. In some states, minors may consume alcohol in a private residence with parental permission. Fiji 18 The drinking age was 21 from 2006 to 2009 but was lowered to 18 in 2009. Guam 21 Micronesia, Federated States of 21 New Zealand None 18 Minimum age applies for beverages with 1.15 % ABV or over ; no restrictions on beverages less than 1.15 % ABV. Persons under 18 may drink outside private residences or private functions if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Alcohol may be supplied to minors only by, or with express consent from, their parent or legal guardian. Northern Mariana Islands 21 Palau 21 Papua New Guinea 18 Samoa 21 Solomon Islands 21 Tokelau 18 Tonga 21 Vanuatu 18 See also Part of the Politics series on Youth rights Activities Bailey v. Drexel Furniture Co. Child Labor Deterrence Act Children 's Online Privacy Protection Act Convention on the Rights of the Child Fair Labor Standards Act Hammer v. Dagenhart History of youth rights in the United States Morse v. 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Question: legal age for alcohol consumption in south africa
Answer: 18