Drinking Age in Austria 2026: 16 for Beer, 18 for Spirits

Tiered ages: 16 and 18

Austria has one of Europe's more liberal alcohol policies. A 16-year-old can legally buy and drink beer or wine in any Austrian bar, while spirits (whisky, vodka, gin, cocktails containing distilled liquor) are reserved for those 18 or older. The cutoff is around 13.5% ABV, which Austrian law uses to separate "youth" from "adult" beverages.

That means a 16-year-old visitor from another country can legally order Stiegl beer or a glass of Grüner Veltliner in a Vienna pub — but cannot order a whisky, gin, or Aperol Spritz with liqueur.

Differences between Bundesländer

While the basic rules apply Austria-wide, individual federal states have their own youth-protection laws (Jugendschutzgesetz) which can be stricter. The main differences relate to public consumption and nighttime hours for minors.

• Vienna, Lower Austria, Styria, Upper Austria: Beer/wine at 16, spirits at 18 — no major additional restrictions.
• Tyrol, Salzburg: Same rules but stricter enforcement in tourist zones (Sölden, Ischgl, Zell am See).
• Burgenland, Carinthia, Vorarlberg: Some municipalities have additional bans on public consumption for under-18s.

Penalties and ID

Sanctions in Austria typically fall on the seller, restaurateur, or adult who provided alcohol — not the minor directly. Fines for operators range from 218 to 7,270 euros depending on Bundesland and whether it's a repeat offense.

Staff in Austrian shops, restaurants, and bars are entitled to ask for ID (passport, EU national ID card, driving license). EU/EEA visitors can use national IDs.

Drink-driving rules

The general BAC limit in Austria is 0.05% (0.5 g/L). Stricter limits apply to:

• New drivers (first 3 years): 0.01% (essentially zero tolerance).
• Professional drivers (taxi, bus, truck): 0.01%.

Fines start at 300 euros and rise quickly with BAC level — above 1.2g/L, fines reach 5,900 euros and license revocation. Mountain roads and ski regions see frequent checkpoints.

Local drinks

• Beer: Stiegl, Gösser, Ottakringer — national pride. 4-6 euros per half-liter in pubs.
• Wine: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Welschriesling, Blaufränkisch (Burgenland reds). Try Heurigen — small producer wine taverns.
• Sturm: young, still-fermenting wine — only sold in autumn (September-November), often by the glass at roadside stands.
• Schnaps: fruit brandies — Marillenschnaps (apricot), Williams (pear), Zirbenschnaps (Alpine pine).
• Almdudler: the iconic Alpine herbal soft drink, often mixed with white wine for a "Almspritz".

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal drinking age in Austria?

Austria has a tiered system: beer and wine at 16; spirits and stronger drinks (above 13.5% ABV) at 18.

Can a 16-year-old drink beer in Austria?

Yes — Austria allows beer and wine consumption from 16 years old. Spirits and cocktails containing spirits are reserved for those 18 or older.

What is the Austria drink-driving limit?

0.05% BAC for normal drivers. 0.01% (essentially zero tolerance) for new drivers in their first 3 years and for professional drivers.

Do Austrian ski resorts check IDs?

Yes — Sölden, Ischgl, Zell am See, and other major resorts ID aggressively, especially for after-ski venues. Carry passport or EU ID.

Are penalties strict in Austria?

Sellers face fines of 218-7,270 euros for selling to minors. Drink-driving fines start at 300 euros and reach 5,900 for high BAC.

What ID is accepted in Austria for buying alcohol?

Passport, EU/EEA national ID card, and driving licenses with photos are typically accepted. Photocopies are not accepted.

See also

• Drinking age in Austria (Czech)
• Drinking age in Germany