Drinking Age Laws in Rimini, Italy?

Show all answers

likurim

Unless you look or act 12 in Europe in general there isn't the strict attitude towards alcohol that exists in the US.

In most countries drinking beer and wine is allowed at age 16, 18 for everything else. But hey Italians are proud of their wine heritage and it's pretty common to see parents giving a little wine with water to even little kids.

Alcohol is also pretty much served everywhere where food is served, yes even McDonalds. It's also common to see construction workers down a few at lunch time without any consequences from the employer.

You will find little stands all over the place that sell, magazines, liquor, cigarettes, candy and the such. There are also no hours of consumption, if a restaurant or supermarket is open for business, they sell everything they have, including liquor, no matter the time of day or day of the week.

All across Europe there are gigantic gas stations right on the highway and they sell liquor 24/7 and they do it without charging a huge amount more than regular stores.

18 year olds across Europe can drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, go to bars, strip clubs, and frequent "ladies of the night".

When it comes to certain things Europe can teach "The Land Of The Free" a thing or two.

Since the United Kingdom is a European Union Member they HAVE to accept a UK driver's license as a valid ID.

April W

There is no real legal drinking age for drinking in private, but for drinking in public or buying alcohol, the age limit is 16. In most European countries, it is 16 or 18.

Karen

I lived in Europe for many years.....Italy.
I was NOT aware of any drinking age law. Everybody was always drinking.....especially wine.

fish2441

I lived in Europe for a few years, and visted Italy. i am sure it is 18, but they sometimes they don't card. It depends on where you go. go to a high profile bar in downtown and they will card, go to a hole in the wall "mom and pop"and they don't care.

p.s. enjoy it while your there, It is quite an experience

.Laura

They cant be bother less how old you are...they will give you alcohol if you go now in Rimini is a mess of clubs and parties...the less though they got is to ask you the age....

minnie e topolino

Likurim is right (good picture of the scene in the EU I must say!).

Although in the past couple of years some new laws have been introducted in Italy (mainly because of the EU), such as prohibitions to sell cigarettes/alcohol to kids under the age of 16, everyone is quite "relaxed" about it. Meaning that it is VERY common, if not ordinary, to see underage kids buying and consuming both alcohol and cigarettes.

You will never be asked for your ID in Italy to get into clubs, unless you look/are 11, but actually even in this case they won't really ask you anything.... they just won't let you in and laugh about it maybe.

While selling and consuming is highly tollerated and not seen as a problem, drink-driving isn't at all. Remember that only a really small amount of alchol percentage in the blood is permitted by law (something like a glass of wine...) and if caught with more than that while driving you will have a lot of "legal inconveniences", if you know what I mean.

This said, enjoy yourself in Rimini (but don't get wasted too much... haha)!

Passer@ Scopaiol@ +23

here doesn't work as in anglosaxons (or other civils countries)
the age would be 16, but nobody cares about.
you can go in every night club you want, drinking as much as you want, and they won't ever ask for your ID card and things like that. it doesen't need. you can purchase everything you want without an ID.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: