The Best Time To Buy Beer In Nl

The Dutch certainly enjoy their beer, with the culture of beer originating in the country and Dutch supermarkets being the biggest sellers of the beverage. Beer is widely available in the Netherlands, with supermarkets and liquor stores selling it all year round from as early as 7 am to 3 am the next morning. The country's Alcohol Act (formerly called the Licensing and Catering Act) states that the minimum age to purchase alcoholic beverages is 18 years, and sellers are required to ask for proof of age for customers who look younger than 25.

The minimum age to buy alcohol in the Netherlands is 18

If you are under 18, it is illegal to possess or consume alcohol in public places such as streets, parks, pubs, and restaurants. The only exception is for low-alcohol beverages with an alcohol content of up to 0.5%, which are permitted for minors in public places.

To purchase alcohol in the Netherlands, individuals may be required to show valid identification to prove they are 18 or older. This is especially true if the buyer looks younger than 25 years old. Accepted forms of ID include an identity card, passport, or driving licence.

The legal drinking age in the Netherlands is enforced through fines and sanctions. Minors caught in possession of alcohol in public can be fined €45 if they are between 12 and 16, and €90 if they are 16 or 17 years old. Additionally, businesses that sell alcohol to minors can face substantial fines, ranging from €1,360 to €1,565. If a business is found to be selling alcohol to minors habitually, the mayor can suspend their licence or temporarily prohibit them from selling alcohol.

Alcohol can be purchased from supermarkets and liquor stores

Supermarkets

Dutch supermarkets are the biggest sellers of beer and wine, with most dedicating a minimum of one aisle to alcoholic drinks. They are not required to have a special license to sell alcohol. Supermarkets are only permitted to sell three types of alcoholic drinks: cider, beer, and wine. However, they have a wide selection of these drinks, and some supermarkets also offer online ordering and delivery services. The alcohol you buy in the store is also recyclable in the store, meaning you pay a deposit for the bottles you take and get it back when you return the empty bottles.

Liquor Stores

Liquor stores (slijterijen) are the retailers of high-alcohol content beverages (such as vodka, whiskey, gin, and tequila) for off-premises consumption. These shops must have a valid selling license issued by the local municipality. The two largest liquor store chains in the Netherlands are Gall & Gall and DirckIII.

Buying Alcohol in the Netherlands

The drinking age in the Netherlands is 18 years old, and the law requires sellers to check the proof of age for customers who look younger than 25 years old. It is illegal to sell alcohol to individuals younger than 18, and doing so can result in a fine, a temporary ban on selling alcohol, or license revocation.

Bars and restaurants in the Netherlands do not have designated times to start selling alcohol, and you can buy alcohol all day long. Supermarkets and liquor stores typically sell alcohol from about 9 am to 3 am, while cocktail bars open later in the day, usually between 5:30 pm and 6 pm.

While drinking alcohol in public spaces is technically not allowed, it is common to see people consuming alcohol in parks or on the streets, and these laws are not always enforced. However, it is important to be mindful of local regulations and avoid drinking in public in areas with stricter controls, such as popular tourist spots.

Bars and restaurants don't have a designated time to start selling alcohol

In the Netherlands, bars and restaurants are not restricted by a designated time to start selling alcohol. However, the sale of alcohol is governed by the Alcohol Act, which differentiates between drinks with less than 15% alcohol, such as beer and wine, and strong drinks with 15% alcohol or more (liquor).

The act prohibits the sale of alcohol to individuals under the age of 18, and sellers are required to verify the age of their customers. To sell or serve alcohol, businesses must obtain an alcohol licence from their municipality. This includes catering establishments where alcoholic beverages are consumed on-site and off-licence liquor stores selling alcohol for off-site consumption.

While bars and restaurants in the Netherlands can start selling alcohol at any time, supermarkets and liquor stores typically sell alcohol from 9 am to 3 am. Cocktail bars, which tend to open between 5:30 pm and 6 pm, also offer alcoholic beverages.

Supermarkets and liquor stores sell alcohol all year round from about 9 am to 3 am

In the Netherlands, supermarkets and liquor stores sell alcohol all year round, typically from around 9 am to 3 am. This includes popular supermarket chains like Albert Heijn and liquor stores like Gall and Gall. While bars and restaurants don't have a designated time to start selling alcohol, cocktail bars tend to open between 5:30 pm and 6 pm.

Dutch supermarkets are the biggest sellers of beer and wine, and they usually dedicate at least one aisle to these drinks. They don't need a special license to sell these alcoholic beverages, but they can only sell drinks with less than 15% alcohol. This includes cider, beer, and wine. On the other hand, liquor stores (slijterijen) require a valid license to sell high-alcohol content beverages, such as vodka, whiskey, gin, and tequila, for off-premises consumption.

It's important to note that the legal drinking age in the Netherlands is 18 years old, as outlined in the Dutch Alcohol Act. This applies to both the purchase and consumption of alcohol in public spaces, including streets, parks, shopping malls, and sports fields. Sellers are required to check the identification of customers who appear to be under 25 years old.

The Dutch Alcohol Act regulates the sale, consumption and licensing of alcoholic beverages

The Dutch Alcohol Act, which came into force on 1 July 2021, is a statutory law that regulates the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages. The Act makes a distinction between drinks with less than 15% ABV (such as beer and wine) and strong drinks with 15% ABV or more (liquor).

Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

According to the Alcohol Act, the off-premise sale of mildly alcoholic beverages (above 0.5% ABV but below 15% ABV) is only allowed in grocery stores and licensed liquor stores. The sale of strong alcoholic beverages (15% ABV or more) is restricted to licensed liquor stores. Alcoholic drinks cannot be sold at gas stations, kiosks, or vending machines. Retailers are also forbidden from offering discounts of more than 25% on alcoholic beverages.

Licensing Requirements

Catering establishments that serve alcoholic beverages to customers for on-premise consumption must have an alcohol licence (alcoholvergunning). This includes pubs, restaurants, and off-licences. To be eligible for a licence, the owner and managers of the establishment must meet certain requirements, including being at least 21 years old and having a Social Hygiene diploma or certificate.

Liquor stores must also have a liquor licence (alcoholvergunning voor het slijtersbedrijf or slijterijvergunning) to sell spirits. These stores are subject to specific building requirements, such as having a minimum floor area of 15 square metres and being separated from other shops by a hallway.

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages

The minimum age for purchasing and consuming alcoholic beverages in the Netherlands is 18 years. This applies to both regular alcoholic beverages with less than 15% ABV and high-alcoholic beverages with 15% ABV or more. Sellers are required to ask for proof of age if customers look younger than 25 years old.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors in private homes is not regulated by Dutch law. However, there is a national ban on the possession and consumption of alcohol by minors in public spaces, including streets, parks, shopping malls, and sports fields. Minors found in possession of alcoholic beverages in public can be fined by the police.

Frequently asked questions