Italy is one of the world’s top three wine-producing countries, with an extensive history of producing and consuming wines dating back to Roman times.
With this in mind, you may be wondering about the legal drinking age in Italy and how you should behave when you are there. This article will give you all the information you need about alcohol laws in Italy and local drinking etiquette.
The Legal Drinking Age in Italy: 2023
Drinking is a huge part of Italian culture. It is served with dessert at lunch and dinner, on birthdays, and on special occasions. And everyone drinks moderately.
The drinking age in Italy is 18. It is illegal for locals under that age to purchase alcohol in bars, shops, or restaurants. However, If you are 18 or older, bringing your ID is an excellent idea to prevent any problems.
This age is a little more generous than the USA, which requires all alcoholic beverages to be purchased or consumed by those aged 21 or older. It is also important to remember that it is illegal for adults to drink in public; drunkenness is frowned upon and can be punishable by fines.
Although there is no significant cultural tradition of minors drinking for pleasure in Italy, there are rules to protect them from harm. The consensus is that drinking is more of a social activity than an offense.
Enforcing the Law
The drinking age in Italy is strictly enforced. Generally, the legal drinking age across the country is 18. The police can make check identification at bars and restaurants, so it is important to carry your ID with you when out and about.
Additionally, it is essential to remember that Italy does not have any laws against public drinking nationwide; however, local governments can make ordinances (ordinanza sindacale) that restrict or forbid public drinking at specific locations within the municipality or during a particular time. These regulations must also specify penalties for those who violate them.
Finally, driving is illegal after consuming alcohol, and the police employ random breathalyzer tests to ensure that drivers are sober. If caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) higher than 0.05%, you can face severe penalties, including the suspension of your license.