Youth Protection

Youth protection or the protection of minors, bewares young people from difficult situations. It also addresses parents and guardians and other stakeholders.

Youth protection in Austria covers many areas, for example

  • Time restrictions on going out
  • Smoking and consumption of alcohol
  • Media harmful to young people
  • Overnight stays away from home
  • Restricted areas for young people and much more

Youth protection is not uniformly regulated throughout Austria. All 9 fed­eral provinces have their own youth protection laws. For children and adolescents, the law in the federal province in which they are currently located applies.

Since 2019 almost uniform laws are in place throughout Austria regarding the purchase and consumption of tobacco and alcohol and regarding stay-out times. Throughout Austria smoking below the age of 18 is prohibited. The purchase and consumption of spirits under the age of 18 is also prohibited. For stay-out times, the following applies: The Youth Protection Laws define the maximum permissible framework. Parents and guardians may define further limits within this maximum allowed framework. The individual circumstances and the maturity of the young persons must be taken into account.

You will find detailed information at www.oesterreich.gv.at:Jugendrechte  (in German only).

Contact

Youth Policy
Email: jugendpolitik@bka.gv.at