Alcohol

From the age of 16 it is legally allowed to buy beer and wine. To buy liquor you must be 18 years old. Alcoholic beverages are for sale at liquor stores and supermarkets. Supermarkets only sell beer, wine and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol percentage up to 12 to 13 percent.

It is prohibited to drive if you are over the 0.5 blood alcohol level. Driving under the influence is a criminal offence and applies to driving a car and riding a motor bike, scooter, moped or bicycle. You risk a fine of EUR 220,00 (between 0.54 - 0.8 blood alcohol level), EUR 300,00 (between 0.8 and 1.3 blood alcohol level) and EUR 480,00 (between 1,3 - 1,8 blood alcohol level). If you are over 1.8 blood alcohol level your case will be taken to court. In addition to a fine, you may be temporarily banned from driving.

Bartenders, liquor dealers and cashiers must ask youngsters whom they sell alcohol to for proof of age. After all, it is often difficult to estimate somebody's age. If proof of age cannot be supplied, you may be refused alcohol. The proof of age can be a passport or a driving license.