Polski
Українська
Türkçe
العربية
English
Deutsch
Русский
Română
Italiano
Español
Hrvatski
Srpski
فارسی
Tiếng Việt
ΕλληνικάJugendschutzgesetz (JuSchG) — Overview
The Jugendschutzgesetz regulates what children and young people are allowed to do in Germany — and what they are not. It applies to persons under 18 years of age and distinguishes between children (under 14) and adolescents (14–17).
Ausgehzeiten — Restaurants, Nightclubs, Events
| Age | Restaurant (without parents) | Nightclub/Club | Cinema |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | Until 20:00 (with food only) | ❌ Prohibited | Until 20:00 |
| 14–15 | Until 22:00 | ❌ Prohibited | Until 22:00 |
| 16–17 | Until 24:00 | Until 24:00 | Until 24:00 |
With a caregiver (not only parents — also an adult authorized by the parents) these restrictions do not apply.
Alkohol — Clear Age Limits
- Under 16: No alcohol — neither purchase nor consumption in public
- From 16: Beer, wine and sparkling wine permitted
- From 18: All alcoholic beverages, including spirits and spirit-based cocktails
Violations are not punished for the young person, but for the seller/host (fine up to €50,000).
Smoking & E-Cigarettes
Since 2007: Tobacco products and e-cigarettes must not be sold or given to persons under 18 years of age. This also applies to shisha, tobacco heaters and nicotine-free e-cigarettes.
Working as a Minor
| Age | Permitted Work |
|---|---|
| Under 13 | Work generally prohibited |
| 13–14 | Light work (newspaper delivery, babysitting) — max. 2 hours/day, with parental permission |
| 15–17 | Max. 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, no night work (20:00–6:00), no hazardous work |
During vocational training (professional apprenticeship), special rules apply under the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (JArbSchG).
Media & Internet
The JuSchG also regulates access to films, games and online content:
- Age ratings (FSK/USK): 0, 6, 12, 16, 18
- Since 2021: Interaction risks (chats, purchases, contact functions) are considered in classification
- Parents are responsible for media consumption at home
For Parents from Abroad
German youth protection rules apply regardless of origin. Even if different rules apply in your home country, everyone in Germany must comply with the Jugendschutzgesetz. For questions, youth welfare offices (Jugendämter) and educational counseling services can help (free and multilingual).
As of: March 2026. All information without guarantee.