Will Germany raise the drinking age for beer and wine?
Alcohol consumption among young people is 'highly problematic from a medical point of view,' said Christos Pantazis, health policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, in the
Rheinische Post
on Monday.
'A general increase in the minimum age for beer and wine could therefore be a sensible step,' he added.
However, such a measure must be 'embedded in a credible and comprehensive prevention strategy,' Pantazis continued. He said that 'further efforts are needed to educate young people about the risks and consequences, better protective mechanisms and clear restrictions on access.'
READ ALSO:
'Beer is cheap and everywhere' - How Germany's drinking culture surprises foreigners
The health policy spokesperson for the conservative Union parliamentary group, Simone Borchardt (CDU), told the newspaper that a general ban on all alcoholic beverages until the age of 18 has 'appeal,' but its practical effect must be 'carefully weighed.'
The key thing, she said, is 'that we significantly reduce consumption among young people overall and take action through education, prevention, and consistent enforcement of youth protection laws.'
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The minimum age at which people in Germany can drink and buy alcohol such as beer, wine, and sparkling wine is currently 16.
High-proof alcohol is only permitted from the age of 18.
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- Local Germany
Will Germany raise the drinking age for beer and wine?
German government leaders have expressed openness to raising the minimum age for purchasing wine and beer from the current 16 to 18. Alcohol consumption among young people is 'highly problematic from a medical point of view,' said Christos Pantazis, health policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, in the Rheinische Post on Monday. 'A general increase in the minimum age for beer and wine could therefore be a sensible step,' he added. However, such a measure must be 'embedded in a credible and comprehensive prevention strategy,' Pantazis continued. He said that 'further efforts are needed to educate young people about the risks and consequences, better protective mechanisms and clear restrictions on access.' READ ALSO: 'Beer is cheap and everywhere' - How Germany's drinking culture surprises foreigners The health policy spokesperson for the conservative Union parliamentary group, Simone Borchardt (CDU), told the newspaper that a general ban on all alcoholic beverages until the age of 18 has 'appeal,' but its practical effect must be 'carefully weighed.' The key thing, she said, is 'that we significantly reduce consumption among young people overall and take action through education, prevention, and consistent enforcement of youth protection laws.' Advertisement The minimum age at which people in Germany can drink and buy alcohol such as beer, wine, and sparkling wine is currently 16. High-proof alcohol is only permitted from the age of 18.
DW
3 days ago
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German nursing homes see cost for care explode – DW – 08/02/2025
Long-term nursing care is becoming unaffordable in Germany. What can be done to help older people pay for their care? The cost of a stay in a nursing home has risen to an average of €3,248 ($3,760) per month, according to the German Association of Nursing Homes (vdek), an association that represents the interests of several statutory health insurance providers. This is likely to be a crippling sum for many Germans, considering that the average pension in Germany is around €1,100 per month. German Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) believes there's an urgent need for reform of long-term care insurance. "The gap between income and expenditure has now diverged dramatically. This cannot continue," she told the Funke Media Group newspapers. Statutory long-term care insurance has been part of the German social security system for 30 years, as part of a compulsory insurance policy shared by employers and employees. Currently, 3.6% of income is due for this contribution. However, long-term care insurance covers only a part of the costs. Almost one in three nursing home residents relies on welfare payments to supplement their income. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Beate Linz-Esser, the managing director of the Erikaweg senior citizens' center in Hilden, North Rhine-Westphalia, told DW there was great uncertainty among the residents in her facility. "These constantly rising care costs are a heavy burden for our residents," she said. "Then there's the constant fear of not knowing how long their own income or assets will be sufficient to cover the costs." Residents must contribute to the care costs with their income or savings. The average life expectancy is rising for Germans, currently standing at 79 years for men and 84 for women. In December 2023, around 5.7 million people were in need of care, according to the Federal Statistical Office, a number that is expected to increase by 37% by 2055 due to the aging population. Around 85% of elderly people are cared for at home by relatives and outpatient care assistants. The nursing care insurance fund pays them between €350 and €990, depending on the level of care required. However, many people in need of care live in nursing homes, where costs have been rising sharply for years. Children are only required to contribute to their parents' care costs if their annual gross income exceeds €100,000. This does not apply to most people, as the average annual income in Germany is around €55,000. Back in 2018, care home residents had to pay only €1,772 a month. Health care economist Heinz Rothgang said the increase can be explained primarily by two factors: "For a long time, nursing was a poorly paid profession. But over the past 10 years, wages in nursing have risen more sharply than in the rest of the economy; by roughly double," he told DW. Added to this is an increase in the number of nursing staff in care homes. Care home residents have to pay not only for care, room and board, but also for maintenance and nursing training. Of the €3,248 in nursing care costs, this accounts for €1,488. And all these costs continue to rise. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Linz-Esser is particularly annoyed that almost half of the monthly fee goes into training and maintenance. "It is unacceptable that the residents have to pay for the training of nursing staff," she said. "And the investment costs — in hospitals, the state or federal government covers that. Our residents have to pay for that, too." Over the years, however, the out-of-pocket costs that those in need of care have to pay have decreased, making stays in a nursing home gradually less expensive for the individual resident. But the system is on the verge of collapse. Health Minister Warken wants to set up a reform commission to come up with a plan. This year and next, the federal government will pay €2 billion into the long-term care insurance. But taxpayers' money will only help in the short term. Rothgang has two proposals for a fundamental reform: "One option is to introduce tax revenue into the system, federal subsidies like those already found in pension and health insurance," he said. "A second possibility would be to get people to pay more, especially those with higher incomes. One could say that all income would be subject to contributions, including capital or rental income, for example," he added. The Federal Audit Office is also sounding the alarm, predicting a financial shortfall for the current system of over €12 billion by view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoWhile you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing.
Local Germany
4 days ago
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German word of the day: Zugluft
There is something in the air in Germany. Literally. No matter the time of year - whether it's blazing sunshine or snowing - Germans are on high alert for an invisible, possibly deadly force. And that is Zugluft. The German dictionary describes Zugluft as an "unpleasant (usually cold) air movement in buildings". In English it's a draft (or draught in British English). Die Zugluft - pronounced like this - is made up of the words Zug (train) and Luft (air), and it's no laughing matter. It can enter through windows, doors or even... air conditioning systems. Which is perhaps part of why you don't find many AC units in Germany . There are some strong cultural differences when it comes to this concept. While people in the UK or US might barely notice a stream of cold air, in Germany, exposure to Zugluft – also known as Durchzug or Luftzug – is often blamed for a wide range of health issues. Got a runny nose? The flu? That's probably the Zugluft. Muscle aches? Tension? Sore neck? You guessed it - that's the air. READ ALSO: Are Germany's hygiene obsessions really backed by science? You might also hear another common phrase when Germans are talking about streams of cold air. The phrase "es zieht" translates to "there is a draft" or " it's drafty" in English. It literally means "it pulls". A woman lying on her sofa blows her nose. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/CLARK | CLARK We should point out that it's not just Germans who take drafts of air seriously. In many other countries, including elsewhere in Europe, children grow up warned against this force of nature. They are urged to cover their necks and never, for goodness' sake, go out with wet hair. They might have a point to some extent, but science maintains that viruses and bacterial infections cause colds, not drafts of air. Still, that doesn't deter the Germans. There is a ton of advice out there, including in magazines and online, giving tips on how to avoid Zugluft. You can install a Zugluftstopper for your door or thermal curtains, for example. Advertisement Don't Germans love air streams? To make things a bit confusing (for foreigners), the Germans equally love fresh air. The mandatory airing out of rooms (Lüften) is literally written into rental contracts. On winter days when the temperature drops below zero, Germans still require that you fling your windows wide open and air out the room. Regular ventilation of rooms aids air circulation and even became a key focus during the Covid-19 pandemic. Just make sure when you are performing your Lüften duties that you don't stay in the cold air too long. READ ALSO: Why Germans are obsessed with the art of airing out a room Use it like this: Er hatte von der Zugluft im Korridor eine Erkältung bekommen. He caught a cold from the draft in the corridor. Schnell, mach das Fenster zu! Es zieht! Quick, shut the window! There's a draft!
