Vinetur.com ; 2026-06-09
The party also wants to end supervised drinking for 14-year-olds and stronger retail age checks and less visible checkout displays.
Germany’s Green Party is calling for tighter alcohol rules, arguing that the country’s drinking culture remains too permissive and exposes minors too early to beer and wine.
According to reporting published by FinanzNachrichten.de, the Greens want to end the current rule known as “begleitetes Trinken,” or supervised drinking, which allows young people from age 14 to consume beer, wine and sparkling wine in public when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The party also wants stricter limits on alcohol advertising, stronger age checks at retail, and changes at checkout counters so alcohol is less visible and less easily accessible.
The proposal comes as alcohol policy remains a recurring public health issue in Germany, one of Europe’s largest beer and wine markets and a country where alcohol is widely available in supermarkets, discount chains, kiosks and restaurants. The debate matters well beyond politics because any tightening of advertising, point-of-sale placement or youth access rules could affect sales patterns for brewers, wine producers, retailers and hospitality businesses.
The Greens’ push centers on prevention. The party argues that Germany should reduce early exposure to alcohol and make impulse purchases less likely. One part of that effort would be to abolish the exception that lets 14- and 15-year-olds drink certain alcoholic beverages under parental supervision. Critics of the current rule have long said it sends a mixed message by treating beer and wine as culturally normal products for adolescents while other alcoholic drinks remain prohibited.
The party is also seeking tougher controls on marketing. While the details of any legislative text were not included in the report cited by FinanzNachrichten.de, the direction is clear: reduce the visibility of alcohol promotion and limit how strongly producers can target consumers through advertising. For beverage companies, that could mean new restrictions across traditional media, outdoor campaigns or sponsorships, depending on how far lawmakers choose to go if the idea advances.