Drink Driving Limits in Europe

By: Chris Nickson - Updated: 24 Sep 2025 | *Discuss

 

Drinking and driving is never a good idea, period. But it becomes especially dangerous when you go abroad. Not only are you unfamiliar with the roads and local driving customs, but driving on the other side of the road and adapting to different speed limits require complete concentration. Those factors all add up. And there’s another crucial consideration — the legal blood alcohol limit for driving. Compared to Britain, most European countries have far lower limits, and some enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy.

Drink-driving is measured in blood alcohol concentration (BAC), in milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Testing usually begins with a breathalyser, but may also involve urine, saliva, or blood samples. The common European standard is 0.5 g/l (50 mg/100 ml), but limits vary significantly from country to country.

The Blood Alcohol Levels

• 0.8 g/l — United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland), Malta
• 0.5 g/l — Scotland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Croatia
• 0.4 g/l — Lithuania
• 0.2 g/l — Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Cyprus
• 0.0 g/l — Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania

What it Means

• In Germany, the 0.5 g/l limit applies generally, but if you are involved in an accident or another offence, the effective limit drops to 0.3 g/l — above which you face criminal charges.
• In Spain, novice drivers (those licensed less than two years) face a reduced limit of 0.3 g/l.
• In several countries, professional drivers must adhere to a 0.0 g/l limit at all times.

Random breath tests are also common in Europe. Police in many countries are legally permitted to stop and test drivers without “probable cause.” You may therefore be checked even if you are driving carefully.

Don’t expect leniency if convicted of drink-driving abroad. Penalties vary, but all are severe. In the UK and Ireland, you could face up to six months in prison. In Luxembourg, sentences range from one day to three years. In France, a conviction can bring between two months and two years in prison, while in Finland it can mean up to three months. In all cases your licence will be suspended and you may be banned from driving in that country.

How This Affects You

But none of this changes the bottom line: you should not drink and drive, at home or abroad. There is no safe way to balance alcohol and driving. You risk fines, prison, losing your licence, or worse. On holiday, enjoy your evenings out — but walk, use public transport, or take a taxi. Driving after drinking simply isn’t worth it.

What’s Changed Since 2010

• Scotland lowered its limit to 0.5 g/l in 2014, stricter than the rest of the UK.
• Several countries have tightened limits — Cyprus moved from 0.22 to 0.2 g/l, and many now enforce zero tolerance for new and professional drivers.
• Cross-border enforcement has expanded, meaning foreign convictions and fines are harder to escape.

Top Tips for UK Drivers in Europe

• Never assume “one drink is safe” — in many countries, even a small glass can put you over the legal limit.
• Check local laws before you travel: novice drivers and professional drivers often face stricter limits.
• Carry a breathalyser kit in France — fines for not having one have been scrapped, but police still encourage it.
• Plan safe transport in advance if you intend to drink — taxis, rideshares, or designated drivers.
• Remember: tiredness and medication can affect your BAC reading as much as alcohol itself.

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