For years, the Canaries were a luxurious holiday destination. Today? No longer so, as you can certainly take a budget trip to the Canaries. Given that this means more tourists, and, as such, also teenagers, there’s a question that some ponder. How old do I have to be to buy alcohol in the Canary Islands? What is the legal drinking age? In today’s post, we examine the drinking regulations present on Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa.
Given that the Canary Islands are a part of Spain, even though their geographical position would not imply so, the same laws apply here as in all of Spain. If you’re going to any of the islands listed above and are wondering how old you’ll have to be to buy alcohol, the answer is the same: 18 years old to legally buy alcohol yourself.
Is it possible to drink alcohol at 16 in Spain? Yes, you can. That is, you can drink light spirits, ergo beer, wine or cider in public spaces if you are under adult supervision. What about drinking alcohol in private? Then, similarly to the rest of Spain, parents decide. As such, yes, you don’t theoretically have to be 18 to drink in the Canary Islands. You either have to be at least 16 and have your parents with you if you’re in public or your parents decide if you can drink at home or not.
See also:
- Where are the Canary Islands located?
- 11 best places to see in Lanzarote
- 11 best places to visit in Gran Canaria, what should you see?
