Theo Nash
Greece has a rich history of alcohol consumption, with wine storage containers found in archaeological sites dating back 3,500 years. Today, alcohol remains a prominent part of Greek culture, with social drinking being the norm. Interestingly, there is no official legal drinking age in Greece if you are drinking in private. However, if you want to purchase alcohol or consume it in public, the legal drinking age is set at 18 years old. This aligns with the regulations in most European Union countries. While the law is not always strictly enforced, it is important to be aware of the legal requirements when consuming alcohol in Greece.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum legal drinking age | 18 years |
| Drinking in private | No minimum age limit |
| Drinking in public | 18 years |
| Drinking and driving | Illegal |
| Legal blood alcohol limit | 0.05% |
| ID requirement | Not always enforced |
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What You'll Learn
Drinking in public vs. private
Drinking in public vs private in Greece:
Drinking in public in Greece is legal for those aged 18 and over. This is the same minimum age to buy alcohol in the country. While the law is not always strictly enforced, drinking and driving is illegal in Greece, with a lower legal blood alcohol limit than in the US or the UK. A blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent will classify you as legally drunk, so take care when drinking and driving in Greece.
In Greece, social drinking is a big part of traditional Greek life. Alcohol, including strong liquor, is consumed at most meals, even by young children in the form of watered-down wine. Drinking to excess is frowned upon, and Greeks tend to drink moderately, eating small plates of food or snacks (mezes) to slow their inebriation.
There is no official legal drinking age in Greece for drinking in private, such as in a house. However, it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18, and companies face hefty fines if caught. Therefore, you may be asked to show ID when purchasing alcohol if you look young.
While drinking in public is legal in Greece, it is frowned upon to be drunk in public. Greeks themselves prefer drinking in private, so it is recommended that tourists do the same. This way, you can truly enjoy the local drinking culture and avoid causing any trouble for locals.
If you do plan to drink alcohol and know you might get intoxicated, take the same safety measures you would if you were drinking at home. For example, stay within walking distance of your hotel, and always eat while you drink to slow down the inebriation process.
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Drinking laws for tourists
Drinking laws in Greece vary depending on whether you are drinking in private or in public. While there is no official legal drinking age in Greece if you are drinking in private, such as in a house, the legal drinking age in public is 18. This means that anyone over the age of 18 can purchase and consume alcohol in Greece. The sale of alcohol to anyone under 18 is illegal, and companies face hefty fines if caught. However, the enforcement of age requirements largely depends on the region and it is not common to be asked for ID in bars, cafes, or supermarkets. In popular tourist spots, the rules might be more relaxed, while in rural areas, the police may enforce the legal age more strictly.
If you plan to drink alcohol and know you might get intoxicated, it is advisable to take the same safety measures as you would at home. For example, staying within walking distance or a short taxi ride of your hotel. Drinking and driving is illegal in Greece, and the legal blood alcohol limit is lower than in the United States or the United Kingdom. A blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent, equivalent to just two drinks, will classify you as legally drunk. As a result, it is important to drink in moderation and to always arrange for alternative transportation if you plan to consume alcohol.
It is worth noting that social drinking is a significant part of Greek culture, with alcohol consumed at most meals and during family gatherings. Greeks traditionally drink in moderation and often accompany their drinks with mezes, small snacks that slow down the inebriation process. Ouzo, the national alcoholic beverage of Greece, is a strong anise-flavored aperitif that is typically served chilled with water and ice. It is advisable to drink it slowly and accompany it with food to prevent feeling too drunk too quickly.
Overall, while there is no legal drinking age for drinking in private, the legal drinking age for purchasing alcohol and consuming it in public in Greece is 18. It is important to be mindful of local customs and to drink in moderation, especially when operating vehicles, as the legal blood alcohol limit is relatively low.
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Drinking laws in restaurants
Drinking laws in Greece vary depending on whether you are drinking in a private or public setting. While there is no official legal drinking age in Greece for private settings, such as homes, the legal drinking age in public places, including restaurants, is 18 years old. This means that individuals under the age of 18 cannot purchase or consume alcohol in public places like restaurants, bars, or cafes.
Although the legal drinking age in Greece is 18, enforcement of this law may vary depending on the region and the type of establishment. In popular tourist spots, the rules may be more relaxed, and it is uncommon for bars, cafes, or restaurants to request ID from patrons. However, in less touristy areas, the Greek police may enforce the legal drinking age more strictly, especially in public places. Additionally, some sources suggest that the sale of alcohol to minors may be more closely monitored in stores than in restaurants or bars.
It is important to note that drinking and driving is illegal in Greece, and the country has a lower legal blood alcohol limit compared to other countries. The legal limit in Greece is 0.05%, which is equivalent to approximately two drinks. This limit is strictly enforced by the police, who regularly stop drivers to test their blood alcohol content. As such, it is recommended to avoid driving after consuming alcohol and to be cautious when walking on roads at night, as Greece has the highest road fatality rate in the European Union.
To adhere to Greek drinking culture and customs, it is advisable to drink in moderation and accompany alcoholic beverages with small plates of food or snacks, known as "mezes." This tradition helps slow down the absorption of alcohol and prevents individuals from becoming intoxicated too quickly. Additionally, drinking in private homes is preferred over public drinking, which may be frowned upon if it causes disruption to locals.
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Drinking laws in stores
While this is the law, it is not always strictly enforced, especially in tourist spots. You may be asked to show your passport, national ID card, or another valid form of identification if you look young. However, it is uncommon to be asked for ID in bars, cafes, or supermarkets, and some sources suggest that smaller shops rarely check IDs.
Greece has a strong drinking culture, with alcohol being a prominent part of traditional Greek life. Drinking to excess is frowned upon, and drinking in moderation, alongside eating mezes, is encouraged.
It is important to note that drinking and driving is illegal in Greece, and the legal blood alcohol limit is quite low, with a limit of 0.05%, which is lower than in some other countries. The police regularly enforce these drink-driving laws, and the penalties for breaking them can be severe.
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Drinking laws in bars
In Greece, the legal drinking age is 18. This means that anyone over the age of 18 can purchase and consume alcohol in Greece. The sale of alcohol to anyone under 18 is illegal, and companies face hefty fines if caught. However, the drinking age is not always strictly enforced, and it is uncommon for individuals to be asked for ID in bars, cafes, or supermarkets. While Greek police are not keen to enforce the drinking age, they are strict about enforcing drink-driving laws.
The national alcoholic beverage of Greece is ouzo, a strong anise-flavoured aperitif. It is typically served chilled, with water and ice, and accompanied by mezes, or small plates of food or snacks. Drinking in moderation and eating mezes while drinking are important aspects of Greek drinking culture. Greeks traditionally drink at every meal, and social drinking is a significant part of Greek life. However, drinking to excess is frowned upon, and individuals are expected to stay "nice" by drinking moderately.
It is worth noting that drinking and driving is illegal in Greece, and the country has a lower legal blood alcohol limit compared to other countries. A blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent is considered legally drunk, which is equivalent to just two drinks. The fine for being caught over the limit is €1,200, and depending on the severity of the charge, a prison term may be involved.
While there is no official legal drinking age for drinking in private, such as in a home, drinking in public under the age of 18 is illegal. It is recommended to follow the traditional Greek way of drinking in private and enjoying local drinking culture with tasty mezes and quality spirits. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of local customs and avoid causing any trouble to locals.
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Frequently asked questions
The legal drinking age in Greece is 18. This applies to buying alcohol in stores, restaurants, bars, and clubs.
It is not common to be asked for ID when buying alcohol in Greece, but it is a good idea to carry your passport or national ID card, especially if you look young.
Social drinking is a big part of Greek life. Greeks traditionally drink at every meal, and alcohol is consumed by adults at all meals (except breakfast). Drinking to excess is frowned upon, and Greeks typically drink in moderation and eat mezes as they go.
