Many parents taking their teenage children to Italy may wonder whether they can share a glass of wine with them. Perhaps you’re worried whether your child may be sold alcohol if you don’t want them to have access to it. What is the legal drinking age in Italy? How old do you have to be to buy alcohol?
You may still find some outdated information online stating that you can be 16 years old to be sold alcohol in Italy. This is not the case anymore. In 2012, this was changed to 18 years old. This is in line with much of Europe with a few exceptions where it’s still 16, like Germany. As such, if someone sells you alcohol in Italy and you’re under 18, that’s illegal.
When we get to the drinking part, this is where things get a bit muddled. You may simultaneously find many sources proposing that a) it’s illegal to drink alcohol if you’re under 18 b) it’s illegal to serve alcohol to someone under 16. So which one is it?
The truth is that the legality of alcohol only pertains to the actual serving of alcohol – if you’re under 18, no one can sell you alcohol. If they do, that’s on them, not on you. If someone serves you alcohol and you’re under 16 in a restaurant, that’s, again, on them. There’s no actual ‘drinking age’ that you have to be to drink – basically, you can drink at 14, 15 or 16 if your parents agree and it’s not in public. There’s also no distinction in Italy between lighter and stronger spirits. Alcohol is alcohol, and, if you’re underage, it’s up to your parents or carers to decide whether you can get a glass of wine for dinner.
And children usually do. The philosophy is that restricting the drinking of alcohol completely only leads to more children trying it out beyond supervision because rebelliousness is hip and cool. That’s entirely natural and Italy understands this – as such, parents tend to introduce their teenagers to drinking in small doses, which does often end up developing a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Also, we have to mention the reality check. While these laws are already relatively tame, the reality is even more open, as these laws are not so strictly enforced. Unless you’re genuinely making a sad display of yourself, you likely won’t be carded or anything like that. It’s not impossible, though, so do have your ID just in case.
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