Legal Ages in Germany

The age you become an adult in Germany, and the legal ages for voting, driving, drinking alcohol and marriage, with the exceptions that matter.

Age of majority 18 Voting age 18 / 16 Driving age 17 Drinking age 16 / 18 Marriage age 18

Age of majority in Germany

You are an adult at 18.

Voting age in Germany

18 / 16

You can vote at 18 in Bundestag elections and 16 in European Parliament elections. Several states also let 16-year-olds vote in state or local elections.

Driving age in Germany

You can drive a car at 17 with an adult in the passenger seat (begleitetes Fahren ab 17). You can drive alone at 18.

Drinking age in Germany

16 / 18

You can buy beer, wine and sparkling wine at 16, and spirits at 18. At 14 and 15 you can drink beer or wine in public with a parent; the government plans to end this exception.

Marriage age in Germany

The minimum age is 18 with no exceptions since 2017.

Checked 22 October 2026 against national laws and government sites. Laws change and this is a summary, not legal advice; check with the authority that applies to you. Recent changes checked against: Ärzteblatt: Cabinet approves ending accompanied drinking at 14.

Age calculator

Your exact age today, and the date you turn 16, 18 or 21.

Emergency numbers in Germany

Police, ambulance and fire numbers, plus helplines.

German public holidays 2026

Every holiday with its date and long weekends.