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Age restrictions on energy drinks by country

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As of January 2026:
  No age restriction by law
  Sale prohibited to persons under 14 (North Macedonia only)
  Sale prohibited to persons under 16
  Sale prohibited to persons under 18
  Sale prohibited to persons under 21 (Kazakhstan only)
  No available information

The age restrictions on energy drinks by country list compares laws that set a minimum purchase age (or otherwise restrict sales) of energy drinks for minors. In many jurisdictions there is no national age-of-sale law but most Eastern European and Central Asian countries prohibit the sale of energy drinks to under-18s; instead, governments rely on caffeine warning labels (e.g., under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011) and voluntary retail policies.[1] Public-health bodies in several countries advise that high-caffeine drinks are not recommended for children.[2][3]

In some countries, retailers apply a sales policy restricting the sale of energy drinks to minors, even though the law does not prohibit their sale.

This list covers national (country-wide) rules. Subnational measures (for example, municipal restrictions on sales near schools) are not exhaustively listed.

[edit]
Country Minimum age Notes
 Albania 18[4] Law includes explicit clause: "Ndalohet shitja e pijeve energjike personave nën 18 vjeç"; extends school/institution bans and signage/ID-check obligations.[5] Albania proposal in 2018 was to ban even sodas for under 18s but rejected due to pressure from companies and restaurants chains.[6]
 Armenia 18[7] Prohibits sale of energy drinks to persons under 18; also bans vending-machine sales and restricts advertising.[8]
 Azerbaijan 18[9] Sale of energy drinks to persons under 18 prohibited by sanitary norms; rules announced in 2019 and in force from 1 January 2020.[10]
 Belarus 18[11] National ban on sales to minors effective 8 July 2021.[12]
 Bulgaria 18[13] Parliament adopted amendments introducing a ban on the use, offering and sale of high-caffeine products (energy drinks) to children (under 18), via changes to the Child Protection Act in 2025.[14][15]
 Honduras 18[16] Prohibits sale and consumption of energy drinks to persons under 18 nationwide; also prohibits sales in schools, health and sports establishments; implementing regulation published by Secretaría de Desarrollo Económico (SDE).[17] It became the first Latin American country to implement the age restriction.
 Hungary 18[18] Parliament adopted a national ban on sales to under-18s in 2025; enforcement applies in stores and delivery.[19]
 Kazakhstan 21[20] National law sets 21+ minimum for energy drinks. It is the country with the highest age restriction for energy drinks in the world.
 Kosovo 18[21] Draft law approved in principle on 5 December 2024; not yet in force pending final adoption/promulgation.[22][23]
 Kuwait 16[24] Ministerial Decision No. 558/2012 (Ministry of Commerce & Industry) prohibits sale/consumption of energy drinks to persons under 16; a subsequent ministerial guideline (Decision No. 470/2013) lists implementing details and labeling/retail requirements.[25] It became the first Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority country in the world to implement the age restriction.
 Kyrgyzstan 18[26] National ban on sales to minors since 2017.
 Latvia 18[27] Law prohibits sales to under-18s; also restricts retail placement and vending machines.
 Lithuania 18[28] National ban effective 1 November 2014. It is the first country in the world to implement a minimum age for buying energy drinks.
 North Macedonia 14[29] Law on Trade, Article 24: retail sale of energy drinks prohibited to persons under 14; signage and age-verification duties specified.[30] It became the first country to have the lowest age restriction for energy drinks.
 Norway 16[31]In force since 1 January 2026. It's prohibited to sell energy drinks to persons under the age of 16. This applies to shops, canteens, vending machines, festivals and sporting events. When purchasing online, age must be checked before the item is delivered.[32]
 Poland 18[33] In force since 1 January 2024; prohibits sales to under-18s and in schools/vending machines.[34]
 Romania 18[35] National ban effective 15 March 2024.[36]
 Russia 18[37] Federal ban effective 1 September 2024 (age verification rules approved).[38][39]
 Turkey 18[40] National ban on sales to persons under 18; additional retail restrictions (schools, hospitals, etc.) apply under the communiqué. It became the second Middle Eastern country to implement an age restriction. Some reports say that this ban is not being properly enforced.[41]
 Uzbekistan 18[42] National ban on sales of energy drinks to minors since 2019; enforcement noted in official updates.[43]

Countries without a national age-of-sale law (examples)

[edit]
Country Minimum age (national law) Notes
 Australia None[2]No national age limit; mandatory advisory statements "not suitable for young children" under the Food Standards Code.[44]
 Canada None[45] No national age-of-sale law; federal limits and cautionary labels (up to 180 mg caffeine per serving) apply to caffeinated energy drinks.[46]
 Czech Republic None (bill pending) No current legal age-of-sale restriction. In November 2024, the Czech government endorsed a cross-party bill to ban the sale of energy drinks to persons under 15, with restrictions on vending machines, school premises, and advertising directed at children. The bill was still under parliamentary consideration as of early 2025.[47][48]
 Denmark None; some retailers restrict to individuals under 16 No national legal age-of-sale restriction. The Danish Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) advises against children consuming energy drinks. Lidl Denmark introduced a voluntary 16+ policy in 2018, and some independent retailers have adopted similar restrictions. No legislation has been introduced.[49][50]
 Estonia None; retailers apply voluntary 16+ or 18+ limits No national legal age-of-sale restriction. The Estonian Traders' Association proposed a voluntary 16+ sales restriction in 2016. Major retailers apply varying age limits (16+ or 18+) at the register, but enforcement is inconsistent and there is no statutory basis.[51]
 Finland None; many retailers restrict to individuals under 15 No national legal age-of-sale restriction. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommends that energy drinks not be sold to persons under 15. Many individual shopkeepers, particularly in the K-Group and S-Group chains, apply a voluntary 15+ policy, though enforcement varies.[52][53]
 France None[54] No national age-of-sale rule; EU high-caffeine warning label applies.[55]
 Germany None[56] No nationwide legal age limit as of 2025; Länder ministers urged examining a 16+ rule, and some retailers apply voluntary under-16 policies (e.g., Rossmann, Lidl).[57][58][59]
 Italy None[60] No national age-of-sale rule; EU labeling applies.
 Netherlands None; Aldi and Lidl restrict to individuals under 14 No national legal age-of-sale restriction. Since 2018, Aldi and Lidl Netherlands have applied a voluntary 14+ age limit with ID checks at the register. In 2019, a Foodwatch campaign prompted ten major supermarket chains (including Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Coop) to declare openness to an 18+ limit, but only if applied uniformly across all retailers. No government legislation has followed.[61][62]
 Spain None (ban announced February 2026, not yet enacted) No national age-of-sale rule as of June 2026; EU labeling applies. In February 2026, the Ministry of Social Rights announced a ban on sales to under-16s (and under-18s for drinks exceeding 32 mg caffeine per 100 mL), with public consultation underway.[63][64] The autonomous community of Galicia enacted its own ban on sales to minors effective March 2026.[65]
 Sweden None; major retailers restrict to individuals under 15 No national legal age-of-sale restriction; an industry agreement (2009, revised 2022) recommends not selling energy drinks to persons under 15, widely applied by retailers.[66] Reporting confirms there is no statutory age limit while many stores use a 15-year policy voluntarily.[67]
 United Kingdom None (national law); major retailers restrict to individuals under 16[68] (ban announced to be set by April 2027 in England)[69] UK law has no nationwide sales age; labels must carry "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children…" for drinks >150 mg/L caffeine.[70][71] In September 2025, the UK government launched a 12-week consultation proposing a legal ban on sales of high-caffeine energy drinks (>150 mg/L) to those under 16 in England, which would come into force by April 2027.[72][73][69]
 United States None (federal law)[2] No federal minimum age of sale; some local jurisdictions restrict marketing/sales in limited venues (e.g., Suffolk County, NY, county parks).[74]

Labelling

[edit]

Across the European Union and the United Kingdom, beverages (other than tea/coffee-based drinks) containing more than 150 mg/L of caffeine must bear the statement: "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women", together with the caffeine amount per 100 mL, in the same field of vision as the product name.[1][55]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council — Annex III(4)". EUR-Lex. Official Journal of the European Union. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "Caffeine". Food Standards Australia New Zealand. FSANZ. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. ↑ "LIGJ Nr. 74/2018 — për disa ndryshime dhe shtesa në Ligjin nr. 9518, datë 18.4.2006 "Për mbrojtjen e të miturve nga përdorimi i alkoolit"" (PDF). Ministria e Shëndetësisë dhe Mbrojtjes Sociale. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare — Ligji nr. 9518 (konsoliduar)". qbz.gov.al. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "Draft law/ Fine of 10 thousand lek for anyone selling energy drinks to children". Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  7. ↑ "ՕՐԵՆՔՈՒՄ ԼՐԱՑՈՒՄՆԵՐ Կdelays ՄԱՍԻՆ — amendments to the Law on Trade and Services (Art. 16.1)". Armenian Legal Information System (ARLIS) (in Armenian). Government of Armenia. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "Sale of energy drinks to teenagers to be prohibited (bill background)". National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  9. ↑ ""Enerji içkilərinə dair müvəqqəti sanitariya normaları və qaydaları"". e-qanun. Normative Acts of the Republic of Azerbaijan. January 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  10. ↑ ""Enerji içkiləri 2020-ci ildən 18 yaşadək olanlara satılmayacaq"". butov.az. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "О введении ограничений на продажу энергетических напитков несовершеннолетним". zskaluga.ru. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  12. ↑ "С 8 июля запрещена продажа энергетических напитков несовершеннолетним". BelTA. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Parliament Bans Sale of Energy Drinks to Children and Single-Use Vape Pens". Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). BTA. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "News – National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria". parliament.bg. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  15. ↑ "Notification 2025/0406/BG — Draft amendments introducing a ban on sale to children of nicotine products and energy drinks". European Commission TRIS. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Decreto No. 46-2024 — Ley para el Control y Regulación de Bebidas Energizantes" (PDF). Tribunal Superior de Cuentas de Honduras. Tribunal Superior de Cuentas. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "Reglamento de la Ley para el Control y Regulación de Bebidas Energizantes" (PDF). Secretaría de Desarrollo Económico (SDE). SDE. September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "Hungary approves ban on selling energy drinks to under-18s". TVP World. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  19. ↑ "From June, it will be illegal to sell energy drinks to those under 18s". Trade Magazin. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "Sale of energy drinks to minors banned in Kazakhstan in bold public health move". World Health Organization (Europe). WHO. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  21. ↑ "Draft Law no. 08/L-312 — On the Prohibition of Consumption of Energy Drinks for Persons Under 18". Assembly of Kosovo. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  22. ↑ "Miratohet në parim Projektligji për ndalimin e pijeve energjike nën 18 vjeç". KALLXO.com. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  23. ↑ "Draft Law text (purpose)" (PDF). Assembly of Kosovo. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  24. ↑ "Decisions regulating sale of energy drinks issued". KUNA. Kuwait News Agency. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  25. ↑ "توصيات وقرارات الاجتماع رقم 4 للجنة سلامة الأغذية". Municipality of Kuwait. Baladia (Municipality of Kuwait). 7 December 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  26. ↑ "Парламент запретил продажу энергетиков несовершеннолетним". Kloop. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  27. ↑ "ENERGY DRINKS (CIRCULATION AND ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS)" (PDF). Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia. Ministry of Health. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  28. ↑ "Lithuania bans sale of energy drinks to minors". LRT English. LRT. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  29. ↑ "Закон за трговија — член 24 (извадок)" (PDF). Службен весник на Република Северна Македонија (Official Gazette). Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  30. ↑ "Закон за трговија (пречистен текст)" (PDF). proagens.mk (copy of consolidated text). Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "Forskrift om forbud mot salg av energidrikk til barn under 16 år - Lovdata". Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  32. ↑ NTB (30 December 2025). "Innfører aldersgrense". DinSide. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  33. ↑ "Ustawa z dnia 17 sierpnia 2023 r. (nowelizacja ustawy o zdrowiu publicznym) — zakaz sprzedaży napojów z kofeiną lub tauryną nieletnim". Sejm Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. Parliament of Poland. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  34. ↑ "Ban on Sale of Energy Drinks to People Under 18". USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. USDA. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  35. ↑ "LEGE nr. 42/2024 — interzicerea vânzării băuturilor energizante minorilor". Portal Legislativ. Government of Romania. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  36. ↑ "Se interzice comercializarea către minori a băuturilor energizante". MMC Law. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "Федеральный закон № 304-ФЗ (запрет продажи энергетиков несовершеннолетним)". publication.pravo.gov.ru. Official Internet Portal of Legal Information. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  38. ↑ "Запрет продажи энергетиков несовершеннолетним: разъяснения". КонсультантПлюс. ConsultantPlus. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  39. ↑ "В России вступил в силу закон о запрете продажи энергетиков несовершеннолетним". ТАСС (in Russian). 1 September 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  40. ↑ "Enerji içecekleri satışına düzenleme geldi!". Miliyet. milliyet.com.tr. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  41. ↑ "Uzmanlardan enerji içeceği uyarısı". Iha.com.tr. iha.com.tr. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  42. ↑ "Ўзбекистон ҳудудида энергетик ичимликларни сотиш тартиби тўғрисида". Lex.uz. National Database of Legislation of Uzbekistan. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  43. ↑ "В Узбекистане напомнили об ответственности за продажу энергетиков несовершеннолетним". Upl.uz. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  44. ↑ "Caffeine powders and high caffeine content foods". FSANZ. FSANZ. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  45. ↑ "Caffeinated energy drinks". Health Canada. Government of Canada. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  46. ↑ "New cautionary labels on caffeinated energy drinks". Health Canada. Government of Canada. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  47. ↑ "Děti do 15 let si už energetické nápoje nekoupí, rozhodla vláda". Šance Dětem (in Czech). 13 November 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  48. ↑ "Skupina poslanců navrhla zákaz prodeje energetických nápojů dětem do 15 let". Advokátní deník (in Czech). 15 October 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  49. ↑ "Salg til unge". Lidl Danmark (in Danish). Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  50. ↑ Søren Tougaard (24 May 2023). "Ingen aldersgrænse for salg af energidrikke i Danmark". Dagligvarehandlen (in Danish). Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  51. ↑ "Politicians split over possible EU ban on energy drinks sales to minors". ERR News. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  52. ↑ "Energiajuomia ei myydä enää alle 15-vuotiaille, lähikauppias päätti". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 4 September 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  53. ↑ "Energiajuomia saa edelleen myydä alle 15-vuotiaille". Nurmijärven Uutiset (in Finnish). 19 September 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  54. ↑ "Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 — caffeine labelling for beverages >150 mg/L". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives (UK). 25 October 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  55. 1 2 "Caffeine levels in different foods and drinks". EUFIC. European Food Information Council. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  56. ↑ "Zu Altersbeschränkungen für den Verkauf von Energydrinks" (PDF). Deutscher Bundestag — Wissenschaftliche Dienste (in German). 18 June 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  57. ↑ "Öffentliches Ergebnisprotokoll der 20. Verbraucherschutzministerkonferenz (VSMK)" (PDF). Verbraucherschutzministerkonferenz (in German). 30 June 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  58. ↑ "Altersbeschränkung bei der Abgabe von Energydrinks?". Bundeszentrum für Ernährung (BZfE) (in German). 20 May 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  59. ↑ "Umfrage: Nur 2 von 14 Händlern setzen auf Jugendschutz". foodwatch (in German). 18 December 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  60. ↑ "Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 — Annex III (caffeine statement)". EUR-Lex. European Union. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  61. ↑ "Hoe oud moet je zijn om energy te kopen?". Machtig (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  62. ↑ "Britten verbieden verkoop energiedranken aan kinderen onder 16". Foodlog (in Dutch). 3 September 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  63. ↑ "Consumo prohibirá la venta de bebidas energéticas a menores de 16 años y hasta los 18 las que tienen más cafeína". El País (in Spanish). 25 February 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  64. ↑ "El Gobierno prohibirá la venta de bebidas energéticas a menores de 16 años". 20minutos (in Spanish). 25 February 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  65. ↑ "Galicia: new regulations that will prevent minors from accessing stimulating drinks". ECIJA. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  66. ↑ "Energidrycker". Livsmedelsverket. Livsmedelsverket. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  67. ↑ "Regler för energidryck kan skärpas – påverkar sömnen hos unga". SVT Nyheter. Sveriges Television. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  68. ↑ "UK supermarkets ban sales of energy drinks to under-16s". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  69. 1 2 "Sales of energy drinks to under-16s set to be banned in England". The Independent. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  70. ↑ "Energy drinks and children (evidence)". UK Parliament. House of Commons. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  71. ↑ "Guidance for food business operators on food supplements containing caffeine". Food Standards Agency. FSA. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  72. ↑ "Wes Streeting pushes forward with ban on high caffeine energy drinks for under-16s". Sky News. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  73. ↑ "High-caffeine energy drinks to be banned for under-16s in England". ITV News. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  74. ↑ "2013 Local Laws — Local Law 17-2013 (prohibiting sale/distribution of stimulant drinks to minors in county parks)". Suffolk County Legislature. Suffolk County (NY). 10 January 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
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