Poland, including Krakow, is famous for its vodka production and alcohol consumption. Many people planning their holidays in Krakow, Poland, wonder how old one can drink alcohol in Poland. How old do you have to be to legally buy alcohol in Poland and Krakow? What do the Polish regulations say about alcohol? Is it sold from the age of 16? Do you need to be 18 or 21?
When looking at Polish alcohol legislation, it is worth distinguishing and clarifying the topic by breaking it down into the issue of purchasing alcohol and the legal drinking age.
How old is the legal drinking age in Poland?
To begin with, it is worth clarifying the topic of alcohol consumption in Poland. How old do you have to be to legally drink alcohol in Poland? In Poland, a distinction is made between drinking at home, for example with the permission of the family, and drinking in a public place.
There is no minimum age for allowing the consumption of alcohol in private means that it is not an offence to consume alcohol under the age of 18. The offence is so-called ‘underage dissipation’ i.e. making alcohol available to minors.
From how old can you buy alcohol in Krakow?
How old is the sale of alcohol? From how old can you buy alcohol in Poland? In Poland you can buy alcohol from the age of 18. Sellers who have doubts about the age of a person wishing to buy alcohol have the right to verify the person’s age, for example by asking to see an identity card. The penalties provided for by the Polish law are severe and selling alcohol to minors may result in the withdrawal of the licence to sell alcohol in a given shop or restaurant.
What does it look like in practice? In practice, there are situations in which minors can buy alcohol in bars, pubs and restaurants and shops catering to tourists, whether in Krakow or elsewhere, especially if they communicate in foreign languages not understood by the seller.
Summary: From how old is alcohol in Krakow? In order to legally consume alcohol in public places and buy it legally in Poland and Krakow, you have to be 18 years old. Practice shows, however, that in tourist destinations when a person wishing to buy alcohol appears to be of legal age their documents are not checked.
Read how much is vodka in shop in Poland and Krakow in 2025.
Related articles:
About the Author: Hi, It's Daily Krakow written by a lifelong Krakow resident with 40 years of experience exploring this beautiful city. I’m not part of the tourism industry and I dont make money on tourists that's why I can be honest. My deep local knowledge allows me to share honest, practical tips to help you avoid tourist traps and discover the real Krakow. Whether it’s hidden gems, local customs, or practical advice, I’m here to make your visit unforgettable.
