Am I allowed to buy alcohol in Denmark?
Yes — but the shop age limit depends on the alcohol strength. Since 1 April 2025 you can buy drinks up to 6% in shops from 16 (beer, cider and alcopops), and anything over 6% from 18 (wine and spirits). In bars and restaurants the serving age is 18. There is no state monopoly like in Norway and Sweden — wine and spirits are sold freely in ordinary supermarkets, and there is no national closing time for sales. In police night-life zones alcohol may not be sold to under-18s between 10pm and 8am.
📋 The rules
- From 16: drinks up to 6% in shops
- From 18: anything over 6% (wine and spirits)
- Serving in bars: 18
- No state monopoly — sold in supermarkets
- Night-life zones: no sales to under-18 10pm–8am
🔓 Exceptions
- Light beer under 2.8% may be served to under-18s in a restaurant
- Private, non-public events are outside the licensing law
- The law regulates sale and serving, not a minor's own private drinking
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Unlawful sale of alcohol to a minor can, since 1 January 2025, bring a fine of 50,000 kr for a first offence. Repeat offences can cost the right to sell.
📎 Official sources
- Safety Authority · New age limits →
- Ministry of the Interior and Health · New alcohol limit →
- Sales-to-minors ban · Retsinformation →
❓ Frequently asked
How old must I be to buy alcohol?
16 for drinks up to 6% in shops, and 18 for anything over 6%, that is wine and spirits.
Is there a state monopoly like Norway?
No. There is no state monopoly in Denmark. Wine and spirits are sold freely in ordinary supermarkets.
Is there a closing time for alcohol sales?
No, there is no national closing time. In police night-life zones alcohol may not be sold to under-18s between 10pm and 8am.
What is the age limit in bars?
18. Serving strong drinks in bars and restaurants requires you to be 18.
What is the penalty for selling to minors?
A fine of 50,000 kr for a first offence since 1 January 2025. Repeat offences can cost the right to sell.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I buy alcohol denmark”
- “alcohol age 16 18”
- “alcohol 6 percent shop”
- “no state monopoly alcohol”
- “night-life zone alcohol”
- “alcohol sale minors fine”