Protection of minors; information

Business owners and event organizers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Youth Protection Act. Violations are punishable by fines of up to 50,000 EUR; in certain cases, they may even result in imprisonment and fines. Inspections to ensure compliance with the Youth Protection Act are usually conducted jointly by the police and the Youth Welfare Office. The district administrative authorities (district offices and independent cities) are responsible for imposing penalties for administrative offenses under the Youth Protection Act.

Children and adolescents under the age of 16 are generally prohibited from attending dance events. They may remain in restaurants between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., but only for the duration of a meal or a drink. Exception: They must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Beer, wine, sparkling wine, and corresponding mixed drinks may be sold to minors aged 16 and older. All other alcoholic beverages (spirits) may neither be sold to children and minors nor may they be permitted to consume them. Youth between the ages of 14 and 16 may receive beer, wine, sparkling wine, and wine-based mixed drinks only with the consent of and when accompanied by their legal guardians (e.g., parents). A parental authorization alone is not sufficient for this purpose.

Vending machines may only offer alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine if the machine is installed in a place inaccessible to children and young people or in a commercially used room and if technical devices or constant supervision prevent minors under the age of 16 from taking these drinks. The sale of other alcohol, such as whiskey, schnapps, liqueur, vodka and their mixed drinks via vending machines is generally not permitted in Germany.

Businesses may only make media containing video games or movies (e.g., DVDs, Blu-rays, console games, USB drives, SD cards) and video game consoles available to children and adolescents if the media content has been rated appropriate for the relevant age group. The rating of media content is determined by permanent representatives of the state youth authorities following the review process conducted by the self-regulatory organizations of the German Film Industry’s Voluntary Self-Regulation (FSK) and the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation (USK).

The Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs and the Bavarian Youth Welfare Office (ZBFS-Bayerisches Landesjugendamt), in coordination with the other state ministries and the municipal umbrella organizations, have drawn up comprehensive state-wide enforcement instructions for the Youth Protection Act to inform all parties involved - the implementing authorities, the business community, but also parents and minors.

Regulatory child and youth protection

Educational child and youth protection

• Youth protection questionnaire for event organizers
• Form "Application for an exception to the employment ban for participation in events"
• HaLT folder "Festively planned?! - Guide through the jungle of regulations

• Youth protection questionnaire for organizers

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• Act on the Implementation of Social Laws (AGSG)
• State Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV)
• Assessment of event licenses under youth protection law
  • §§ Sections 1 to 14 of the Youth Protection Act are relevant to the duty of supervision, age limits for events and the consumption of alcohol and tobacco products.
  • In particular, §7 JuSchG requires cooperation between the regulatory authorities. (youth welfare office, police, licensing authority)

• Implementation instructions for the Youth Protection Act (VJuSchG)
• § Section 131 of the German Criminal Code (StGB)
• § Section 184 ff. of the German Criminal Code (StGB)
• §§ 4-15 Protection of Young Persons Act (JuSchG)

• Protection of minors in public
• Commission for the Protection of Minors from Harmful Media