Teenagers, students and alcohol: the rules and risks on nights out

Key rules

• Age limit: You must be 18 to buy or be served alcohol in Spain, and selling or supplying alcohol to under-18s is banned.
• Parents pay: When a minor is fined, the parents or legal guardians are usually responsible for paying.
• Local fines: Street drinking fines depend on the city, so check the local ordinance.
• Emergencies: Call 112 in an emergency, or 016 if you are a victim of gender-based violence.

What is the age limit for alcohol?

You must be 18 to buy or be served alcohol in Spain, and selling or supplying alcohol to under-18s is banned. This applies to everyone, including tourists. Regions set the details, such as hours of sale and penalties. Some regions, including Galicia, Madrid and Catalonia, also have tight rules on selling alcohol in shops at night.

What happens if you drink in the street?

Street drinking is called botellón. Many regions ban drinking in public spaces outside licensed terraces. Cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville ban it by local ordinance.

• Fines depend on the city. Minor cases typically run from €100 to €300. Serious cases can reach €600 to €3,000.
• Your alcohol is usually confiscated.
• Some cities have a botellódromo, a designated area where street drinking is allowed. Ask your town hall if your city has one.

Check your city's ordinance for the exact amount before you go out.

What if you are under 18?

Minors face the same fines. Their parents or legal guardians are usually the ones who must pay. Some cities and regions let a minor do community service or attend a course instead of paying.

For damage a minor causes, parents or guardians can also be held responsible. A judge can reduce what they owe.

Anyone who sells or supplies alcohol to a minor is sanctioned. That includes the venue or shop, so do not buy drinks for younger friends.

Can minors go to clubs and bars?

Mostly no, but it depends on the region. Under-16s or under-18s are normally barred from clubs (discotecas) and late-night venues. Some regions allow special teenage sessions, for example for ages 14 to 17, with no alcohol and an early closing time.

Bars can admit minors with adults during the day, but they cannot serve them alcohol. Late events usually require under-16s to be with a parent or guardian. Ages and hours differ in Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, Valencia and elsewhere, so check the rules for your region or ask the venue before you travel.

What are the risks for Erasmus and university students?

Watch for these on nights out:

• Drink spiking, including reports of needle spiking. Keep your drink with you and do not accept drinks from strangers.
• Pickpocketing and phone theft in crowded bars and on public transport.
• Overcharging or scams by touts outside venues.
• Sexual harassment and assault.
• Drink-driving and unlicensed taxis. Use a licensed taxi or public transport.
• Fines for noise or street drinking.

Where can you get help?

• Call 112 in an emergency. You can also go to the Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil or Policía Local.
• Call 016 if you are a victim of gender-based violence. It is free and does not show on the phone bill.
• Your university's international or Erasmus office can help. Many universities also have local sections of the Erasmus Student Network, an equality unit (Unidad de Igualdad) with protocols against sexual harassment, and psychological counselling.
• Some cities run safety points on nights out, such as "Punt Lila" stands. Services differ by university and city.
• Your consulate can help with lost documents.
• Make sure you have health insurance, either a European health card (EHIC) or private cover.

The warnings and questions below cover the fines and venue rules in more detail.

What to watch out for

• Botellón fines: Drinking in the street can bring a fine and the alcohol is typically confiscated. Typical city fines run from about €100–€300 for minor cases up to €600–€3,000 for serious ones, depending on the city. Drink only on licensed terraces or in a designated botellódromo, and check your city's ordinance.

• Minors and fines land on parents: Under-18s face the same street-drinking fines, and parents or guardians can be held responsible for paying. Parents can also be liable for damage a minor causes. Ask the local authority whether a course or community service can replace the fine.

• Buying alcohol for or selling it to a minor: Supplying alcohol to under-18s is banned everywhere in Spain, and the seller or venue is sanctioned. Some regions also limit night-time alcohol sales in shops, so a late purchase may be refused. Carry photo ID and never buy drinks for anyone under 18.

• Student nightlife risks: Students most often meet drink spiking, pickpocketing and phone theft in crowded bars and on transport, overcharging by touts, harassment, and unlicensed taxis. Watch your drink, keep your phone and bag close, and use licensed taxis. Call 112 in an emergency, or 016 for gender-based violence. Many cities run safety points, such as Punt Lila, and your university's international office can help.

Frequently asked questions

Can parents be made to pay a fine their teenager gets for street drinking?

Yes, in most places the authority can hold parents or guardians responsible for fines imposed on under-18s. Many regions let the fine be swapped for an educational or treatment programme, and some cities offer community service or a course instead. Ask the town hall which option your city allows.

Can a 16-year-old go to a club in Spain?

Usually not, because under-16s or under-18s are normally barred from clubs (discotecas) and late-night venues. Some regions allow special teenage sessions, for example for ages 14 to 17, with no alcohol and an early closing time. Check your region's rules before you go.

Is there anywhere I can legally drink outdoors in a Spanish city?

Yes, you can drink on licensed terraces, and some places have a designated botellódromo, an area set aside for street drinking. Elsewhere in public spaces it is banned in many regions and cities. Alcohol is typically confiscated if you are caught.

Where can Erasmus students get help after a bad night out?

Your university's Erasmus or international office is the first place to ask, and local Erasmus Student Network sections run buddy programmes.