Age of majority by country
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
Age of majority compared across countries: Age of majority, voting age (national elections), minimum age to marry, age of criminal responsibility. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Age of majority | Voting age (national elections) | Minimum age to marry | Age of criminal responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 18 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
| Netherlands | 18 | 18 | 18 | 12 (juvenile criminal law) |
| United Kingdom | Legal adulthood, Great Britain: 18 | Legal adulthood, area.United Kingdom: 18 (UK Parliament) | Legal adulthood, Great Britain: 18 (E&W), 16 (Scotland) | Legal adulthood, Great Britain: 10 (E&W), 12 (Scotland) |
| Spain | 18 | 18 (full age) | 16 if emancipated | 14 |
| Ireland | 18 | 18 (Dáil elections) | 18 | 12 (10 for serious offences) |
| Poland | 18 | 18 | 18 (court may allow women from 16) | 17 (15 for grave offences, 14 aggravated murder) |
| Sweden | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 (14 for crimes with 4+ years) |
| Austria | 18 | 16 | 18 | Under 14 not punishable |
| Denmark | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
| Czechia | 18 | 18 | 18 (court may allow from 16) | 15 |
| Hungary | 18 (earlier if married) | Adults (18, or earlier if married) | 18 (guardianship authority may permit from 16) | 14 (12 for grave offences) |
| Japan | 18 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
| Turkey | 18 | 18 | 17 (16 with judge) | 12 (conditional to 15) |
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.