The legal drinking age in Spain is 18. In 2009, the law was change and the legal drinking age was raised from 16. Underage cannot buy or drink alcohol, but usually bartenders and sales people are not very concerned about this restriction. Besides, the legal age for drinking and buying alcohol beverages, there is another law that forbids store to sell alcohol drinks after 10:00 pm. This law was created to avoid a typical Spanish phenomenon called “Botellón”.  It is a street party that usually includes vast alcohol consumption, disturbing neighbors and damaging public spaces.

The legal drinking age is a federal law in Spain, meaning every state or region should respected. If you are visiting Spain you should also know that the legal limit of Blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.5 g/l. Also the BrAC limit is 250 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath per expertise drivers and 150 microgrammes per litre of breath for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license and common carriers.