Can I distil moonshine (home-made vodka) at home?
No — distilling moonshine or spirits at home is banned, and that holds even "just for yourself". While fermenting beer or wine for your own use is allowed, distillation is not covered by that exception. Home-made strong drinks are those above 18 %. Making, acquiring, storing or transporting them carries an administrative fine of 180 to 780 € under Article 137 of the Code of Administrative Offences, while making or keeping the still alone brings 700 to 1,300 €. The widespread myth that "you can distil moonshine for yourself" is wrong — that is lawful only for rural-tourism farmers, who since 2024 may make heritage home spirit up to 65 % strength, up to 100 l a year, and only for their own use or on-site tasting. For everyone else distilling stays an offence, and if done to sell, a crime.
📋 The rules
- Distilling moonshine or spirit (over 18 %) at home is banned, even for your own use
- Making, storing or transporting — a fine of 180 to 780 € (Art. 137)
- Making, keeping or selling the still alone — 700 to 1,300 €
- On repeat — up to 1,560 € for making and up to 2,300 € for the still
- The alcohol and the still are always confiscated
🔓 Exceptions
- Rural-tourism farmers may, since 2024, make heritage home spirit (up to 65 %, up to 100 l a year, own use or tasting only)
- Naturally fermented drinks (beer, wine, cider) up to 18 % for own use, without distilling, are lawful
- A farmer's equipment must carry an identification number — and such a drink still cannot be sold
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The sanctions come in tiers and almost always end in confiscation. Making or keeping home-made strong drinks carries 180–780 €, on repeat up to 1,560 €; for the still, 700–1,300 €, on repeat up to 2,300 €. For the acts in Article 137, both the alcohol and the equipment are confiscated by law. When it is made with intent to sell, or a larger amount is stored or transported, Article 201 of the Criminal Code applies: up to two years in prison, and for 50 litres or more meant for sale, up to five years. What people do not expect: you are punished not only for the drink itself but also for providing premises for distilling, and a conviction under Article 201 stays on record. On top of that, moonshine is not checked for methanol, so there is a real risk of poisoning and blindness.
📎 Official sources
- e-seimas · Code of Administrative Offences, Article 137 →
- e-seimas · Criminal Code, Article 201 →
- NTAKD · alcohol control →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I distil moonshine for myself?
No, distilling at home is banned even when the drink is meant only for personal use. The one legal exception is for rural-tourism farmers making heritage home spirit under a set procedure, while for everyone else it remains an administrative offence with a fine and confiscation.
What is the fine for distilling moonshine?
Making, storing or transporting home-made strong drinks carries a fine of 180 to 780 euros, and the still itself brings 700 to 1,300 euros. A repeat offence is punished more harshly, and the alcohol and equipment are confiscated in every case.
Is just owning a still punishable?
Yes, under Article 137 merely making, keeping, transporting or selling a distilling still carries a fine of 700 to 1,300 euros. It does not matter whether the still has already been used, because liability arises from holding the equipment itself without a lawful basis.
When does it become a crime?
When moonshine is made with intent to sell, or a large amount is stored or transported, Article 201 of the Criminal Code applies. It then carries up to two years in prison, and for 50 litres or more meant for sale, up to five years of imprisonment.
How is the farmers' home-spirit rule different?
Since 2024, farmers providing rural-tourism services may make heritage home spirit up to 65 percent strength and up to 100 litres a year. Such a drink is only for their own needs or on-site tasting, cannot be sold or taken away, and the equipment must carry an identification number.
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