Alcohol laws in Germany

The German laws regulating alcohol use and sale are mostly focused on youth protection. In contrast to many other countries, legislation is relatively lenient and not designed to keep young people away from alcohol, but rather intended to teach them an appropriate approach to alcohol consumption, which is reflected by one of the lowest drinking ages in the world.

The tax rates for alcoholic beverages in Germany are below average compared to the rest of Europe, and there are very few regulations governing availability. Drinking in public is generally legal and considered socially normal. Although the government has planned stricter regulations several times, the alcohol industry is politically influential and has prevented their implementation.

In 2006, approximately 1.7 million people in Germany were dependent on alcohol and needed treatment, and 2.7 million consumed alcohol in a harmful way. In 2016, Germany had the fifth highest per capita alcohol consumption worldwide. The rate of teenagers drinking alcohol in Germany is one of the highest in both Europe and the world. Due to the low taxation on alcohol, low drinking age and lax regulations regarding availability, as well as a supposed social trivialization of the risks and harmfulness of alcohol, Germany has been referred to as a "promille paradise".