Drinking age and alcohol sales in the United Kingdom (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: In England and Wales it is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18. People aged 16 or 17 may drink beer, wine or cider with a table meal on licensed premises if an adult aged 18 or over is with them. Rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland were not checked.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age to buy beer and wineBuying and drinking alcohol; England and Wales18 years [1]
Minimum age to buy spiritsBuying and drinking alcohol; England and Wales18 years [1]
Drinking by younger people with an adultBuying and drinking alcohol; England and WalesPeople aged 16 or 17 may drink beer, wine or cider with a table meal on licensed premises if they are accompanied at the meal by someone aged 18 or over. Under 16s may not drink alcohol on those premises. [2]
Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcohol; England and WalesThe retail sale of alcohol is a licensable activity, so premises need a licence. Selling alcohol to anyone under 18 is an offence, and so is knowingly delivering it to someone under 18 (with exceptions such as delivery to their home or workplace). [3]
Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcohol; England and WalesThere is no single national ban on drinking in public in England and Wales. A local authority may make a public spaces protection order for an area that prohibits drinking alcohol there. A constable or authorised person can require a person to stop drinking or hand over alcohol in breach of such an order; failing to comply is an offence with a fine of up to level 2 on the standard scale. The prohibition does not apply to premises licensed to supply alcohol and similar places. [4]

Notes

  • The Licensing Act 2003 applies in England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own licensing laws, which were not checked.
  • Applies on licensed premises (England and Wales). The Act does not set a lower age for drinking at home, which was not checked.
  • Rules depend on the local order, so check the council for the area. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate laws.

Sources

  1. legislation.gov.uk: Licensing Act 2003, section 146 (Sale of alcohol to children) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  2. legislation.gov.uk: Licensing Act 2003, section 150 (Consumption of alcohol by children) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  3. legislation.gov.uk: Licensing Act 2003, section 1 (Licensable activities and qualifying club activities) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  4. The National Archives: Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Part 4 Chapter 2 (public spaces protection orders) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.