🍻 Can I brew beer at home for my own use?

Yes

Quick answer

Yes — brewing naturally fermented beer for your own and your family's use is completely legal. Under the Law on Alcohol Control, private individuals may make naturally fermented alcoholic drinks at home — beer, wine, cider, mead — as long as they are for personal or family needs only, not for sale. The ethyl alcohol content of beer may not exceed 9.5 %, and of other naturally fermented drinks 18 %. It is important to grasp the line many people miss: fermentation is allowed, distillation is not. The moment you start distilling spirits (home-made vodka), that is a separate offence. Home beer is not subject to excise and needs no registration or licence as long as it stays in your kitchen. But the instant you try to sell it or otherwise place it on the market, the act becomes unlawful alcohol trade with administrative or even criminal liability.

📋 The rules

Naturally fermented drinks (beer, wine, cider, mead) may be made for your own use
Beer strength — up to 9.5 %, other fermented drinks — up to 18 % ethyl alcohol
Production is allowed only for yourself and family, not for sale or supply for payment
Home beer for own use needs no licence, registration or excise
Distillation (making spirits) is not covered by this exception and is banned

🔓 Exceptions

Any sale or supply turns the activity into unlawful alcohol trade carrying liability
Since 2024, rural-tourism farmers may make traditional drinks (even home spirit) up to 100 l a year under a separate procedure
Beer above 0.5 % already counts as an alcoholic beverage, so the Law on Alcohol Control limits apply

⚠️ Penalties & fines

As long as the beer stays at home and is for you, no fine applies — the trouble starts when you cross the line. If home beer or wine is sold without a licence, that is already unlawful alcohol trade: an administrative fine and confiscation of the alcohol and equipment follow, and on a larger scale, criminal liability. Exceed the permitted strength or start distilling, and the act is judged under the home-made spirits rules — a fine of 180 to 780 €, and for the still itself 700–1,300 €. What people do not expect: even "treating" friends for a token payment, or regular selling online or at a market, counts as supply. Selling alcohol to minors or without a till adds further offences, and the tax authority may charge unpaid taxes. So the safe line is simple: make all you want for yourself, but sell nothing and distil nothing.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can I really brew beer at home?

Yes, brewing naturally fermented beer for your own and your family's use is completely legal, provided its strength does not exceed 9.5 percent. The key condition is that the drink must stay for personal use and cannot be sold or otherwise supplied for payment.

How much beer can I make?

The law sets no specific number of litres for home beer for your own use, but the whole quantity must be intended only for yourself and your family. If the amounts clearly exceed personal needs and there are signs it is made for sale, the activity may be treated as unlawful alcohol trade.

Can I sell my home beer to neighbours?

No, any sale or supply without a licence turns the activity into unlawful alcohol trade. It carries administrative liability, confiscation of the alcohol and equipment, and on a larger scale or on repeat, even criminal liability.

Can I also make something stronger at home?

You may make a fermented drink up to 18 percent strength, but distilling — that is, making home-made vodka or spirit — is banned. Distillation is judged under the home-made strong spirits rules and brings fines and confiscation of the equipment.

Do I have to pay excise on home beer?

No, naturally fermented beer made for your own use is not subject to excise and needs no registration or licence. Excise and licensing arise only when alcohol is produced for commercial purposes or placed on the market.

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