Germany to scrap 'accompanied drinking' for 14- and 15-year-olds

The German government said Wednesday it would scrap a legal provision allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to purchase and consume alcohol with their parents. The government said ending so-called "accompanied drinking" would "protect young people from the considerable health and social effects of alcohol consumption."

What is Germany's accompanied drinking law?

Accompanied drinking currently lets 14- and 15-year-olds legally drink beer, wine and champagne in public if a parent or guardian is present. The minimum drinking age is otherwise 16 for these drinks and 18 for spirits and other hard liquor. The change must still pass parliament before it takes effect.

Why is Germany ending accompanied drinking?

Germany's GKV association of statutory health insurance funds called the move a "strong and important" boost to public health. "The longer children and young people are kept away from alcohol, the better it is for their health," said GKV spokesman Florian Lanz. "Because alcohol is broadly socially acceptable, we must always remind ourselves that alcohol consumption is harmful for health," he said.

How much alcohol do Germans drink?

Germans consume around 10 liters of alcohol per person annually, according to the health ministry. That gives the country a "high alcohol consumption" rate compared internationally, though the figure is declining. A 2024 study found that 6.9 percent of girls and 12.4 percent of boys aged 12 to 17 drank alcohol at least once a week, less than half the rate recorded in 2004.