What is the drinking age in Iceland?

With a minimum age of 20 to buy any alcoholic beverages, Iceland has one of the highest drinking ages in Europe. Our fairly miffed 19-year-old intern asked historian Stefán Pálsson why this age is so high. “The drinking age in Iceland has, historically, been largely linked to the voting age.

Can you drink at 16 in Iceland?

Alcohol Age Restrictions In Iceland

The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20. This is significantly higher than most European countries, and it's to do with the historical voting age. The Icelandic voting age has come down to 18 now, but the drinking age stayed at 20.

Is Iceland strict on drinking age?

The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20. Grocery stores only have low-alcohol beer; all other alcohol is sold in state-controlled stores called Vínbúð, with limited opening hours. If you're arriving by plane and want to have some stronger alcohol on you, we advise to get some at the airport.

What country lets you drink at 13?

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea.

What country has a lowest drinking age?

In fact, 64 percent of the world's nations have legal drinking ages of 18. The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.

Iceland Travel Tips - Alcohol in Iceland

Who is the drunkest country?

Australians have been named the heaviest drinkers in the world in a survey after spending more time drunk in 2020 than any other nation. The international survey found Australians drank to the point of drunkenness an average of 27 times a year, almost double the global average of 15.

What country is the drinking age 14?

Germany — 16 for beer and wine (14 if with parent or guardian), 18 for spirits. Ghana — Age to purchase is 18. Grenada — Age to purchase is 16 for on-site, no minimum for off-site. Guinea.

Can you drink at 16 in Ireland?

Young people and alcohol

You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in Ireland. It is an offence to: Serve alcohol to a person who is under 18. Pretend to be 18 or over in order to buy alcohol.

Do they check ID in Iceland?

Everyone who intends to use online banking services must have an electronic ID. With electronic IDs you can prove who you are, sign agreements and payments with public agencies and private companies and confirm who you are or your purchase with a password.

Do they ID in Iceland?

Be sure to bring an ID that shows your birth date and a photograph (e.g., a passport or driver's license). If you look younger than 20, you would likely get asked to show an ID. Interestingly, Iceland was one of the last places to lift prohibition; beer was banned from 1915 until March 1, 1989.

Do bars in Iceland ID?

There are some bars that allow 18 year olds to come in, but those are very few. Everyone is carded at the door, and most bars don't want to have ask for ID's at the point of purchase as well as at the door.

Why is the Iceland drinking age so high?

“The drinking age in Iceland has, historically, been largely linked to the voting age. When prohibition—except for beer—ended in 1935, the drinking age was set at 21, in line with the new voting age, which had been reduced from 25 to 21 the previous year.

How old do you have to be to go clubbing in Iceland?

Even though the entry age varies between venues, the average age to entry clubs and bars is 21 years and above.

Where can you legally drink at 16?

But some countries (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain) still set the minimum age at 16.

What is Japan's drinking age?

Especially for people who hail from countries where drinking and smoking starts at 18, the age restrictions in Japan for buying and drinking alcohol, as well as the smoking age in Japan, may be surprising: You must be 20 years old and in possession of a valid ID (for foreigners, a residence card will do).

What's the drinking age in Russia?

In Russia, the legal drinking age is usually eighteen. Usually, because there are some exceptions to that case. Technically, stronger alcohol such as cognac and vodka is sold only to those over 21.

What's the drinking age in Italy?

The drinking age in Italy is 18 years old. However, it is not strictly enforced. We recommend to always carry a photo ID to prove your age.

Can you drink 16 UK?

16- and 17-year-olds

Someone aged 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal at a licensed premises (except in Northern Ireland). But it's illegal for people this age to drink spirits in a pub anywhere in the UK, even with a meal.

What is India drinking age?

India: The minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 18 in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Sikkim, and Puducherry. Sale of alcohol is prohibited in states including Bihar, Gujarat, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep.

What is the legal age to smoke in Japan?

Legal Smoking Age in Japan: 20

Smoking and buying tobacco is illegal in Japan under the age of 20. There are a lot of countries that permit smoking or the purchase of tobacco from age 18 or even younger, but if you're under 20, that is illegal in Japan.

Can a 15 year old drink alcohol in a restaurant?

Ultimately it is at the discretion of the landlord. The law allows for people under 18 to drink "beer, cider and perry" whilst eating a "meal". The youngster must be seated in an area dedicated to the service and consumption of food.

What is Korean drinking age?

Government Regs. What is the legal drinking age in Korea? The legal drinking age is 19, as is the voting age. The age of consent for marriage is 20 although a man over 18 and a woman over 16 may marry with their parents' or guardians' consent.