How late can I buy alcohol in Spain?

Buying Alcohol Past 11:00pm As you may have already noticed, after 11 p.m. you'll have a pretty hard time buying alcohol. Before 11 you can pick up alcoholic drinks wherever you want but afterwards the shops will be closed.



In Spain, the legal hours for purchasing alcohol in shops are strictly regulated and typically end at 10:00 PM (22:00). This law is designed to discourage "botellón"—the practice of drinking in public spaces like parks or beaches—which has faced increased fines of up to €3,000 in 2025 and 2026. While supermarkets and small "alimentación" stores must stop selling alcohol by 10 PM, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs can continue to serve drinks until they close, which is often as late as 3:00 AM or 6:00 AM in major cities like Madrid or Barcelona. It is also worth noting that some autonomous regions have even stricter rules; for instance, in certain nightlife hotspots like Magaluf or Ibiza, alcohol sales in shops may be restricted even earlier to curb rowdy behavior. Travelers should plan to stock up on any "take-home" beverages before the evening cutoff to avoid being disappointed by locked cooler sections.

People Also Ask

Drinking in Spain However, those under the age of 18 can buy beer or wine if they are with their parents, and there's no minimum age for drinking alcohol inside the home, so it's up to parents to decide whether they think their child should be allowed to drink.

MORE DETAILS

Technically, no. The legal age to go clubbing in Spain is 18. Most clubs and venues require guests to be 18 or older to enter and enjoy nightlife activities. However, many Spanish teenagers are able to go clubbing as early as 16 or 17 depending on how well it is enforced.

MORE DETAILS

That means the “last call for alcohol” is at 02:30 and everybody should be out by 03:00. On Fridays and Saturdays, as well as days before a día festivo (public holiday), an extra half an hour is allowed. Discos or “nite clubs” can stay open till 6am.

MORE DETAILS

According to a letter sent by tour operator Thomas Cook to customers which confirmed the new rule updates, all-inclusive no longer means unlimited drinks. Instead, holidaymakers will be allowed three drinks at lunch and three drinks at dinner as part of their package. Any more they'll have to pay for.

MORE DETAILS

Under the new regulations, alcohol is prohibited from being sold in late-night stores. Any store caught selling alcohol between the hours of 9.30pm and 8am face fines of up to €600,000 or risk being closed down for three years.

MORE DETAILS

Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.

MORE DETAILS

If you are in Spain (no matter what country you are from), you must carry a valid ID card or passport at all times, and failure to do so could see the police detain you temporarily whilst they ascertain your identity, and furthermore, it is within their rights to issue a fine.

MORE DETAILS

In Spain, hotels are legally bound to register the passport details of the tourist when they arrive. Previously, this was a way of making sure that customers didn't leave without settling their bills.

MORE DETAILS

Night Clubs, Bars: The law expressly prohibits the entry of persons under 18 years in nightclubs and similar establishments at night time, including theatres, night cinemas, television shows, etc.

MORE DETAILS

Minimum Age for going out in Lloret de Mar However, from the age of 16 you can easily enter many nightlife clubs in Lloret de Mar! There is not much control at nightlife. This also applies to buying alcoholic drinks, which in Spain also has a legal age of 18 years and older.

MORE DETAILS