by Stefan Dorner, maut1.de - 28 February 2024
maut1.de lists the drink-drive limits and penalties in Germany and abroad.
Drinking and driving is generally not a good idea. That's why the 0.5 per mille limit applies in Germany. Many European countries have also set this limit, but it is not standardised.
There are also significant differences in the fines that apply if you are caught with (too much) alcohol in your blood. maut.1.de provides an overview of the most important (travelling) countries.
In addition to trouble with the police and the courts, accidents can also result in the loss of insurance cover. If you are involved in an accident in Germany, you are deemed to be partially at fault if your blood alcohol level is 0.3 or higher.
And, if you are caught drink-driving abroad, you will also be banned from driving at home. You should therefore definitely avoid bringing this souvenir with you from your holiday.
In the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, 0.0 ‰
The rules are strictest in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia with a strict 0.0 per mille limit. You should also be careful when on a (camping) holiday in Scandinavia: 0.2 per mille applies in Norway and Sweden.
The most severe penalties apply in the small principality of Liechtenstein, where a 0.8 per mille limit applies. But anyone who breaks this limit has to pay a fine of up to 50,000 euros. The Danes are not squeamish either (0.5 per mille), who can fine offenders up to a month's salary.
The maut1.de overview of the per mille limits in Europe:
| Country | Per mille limit | Fine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 0,5 ‰ | from 500 € | |
| Austria | 0,5 ‰ | from 300 € | |
| Italy | 0,5 ‰ | from 535 € | |
| Croatia | 0,5 ‰ | from 405 € | |
| France | 0,5 ‰ | from 135 € | |
| Spain | 0,5 ‰ | from 500 € | |
| Portugal | 0,5 ‰ | from 250 € | |
| Switzerland | 0,5 ‰ | from 545 € | |
| Greece | 0,5 ‰ | 200 € | |
| Lichtenstein | 0,8 ‰ | up to 50.000 € | |
| Luxembourg | 0,5 ‰ | from 145 € | |
| Netherlands | 0,5 ‰ | from 300 € | |
| Norway | 0,2 ‰ | from 490 € | |
| Finland | 0,5 ‰ | from 15 daily rates | |
| Sweden | 0,2 ‰ | from 40 daily rates | |
| Denmark | 0,5 ‰ | up to 1 monthly salary | |
| Czech Republic | 0,0 ‰ | from 100 € | |
| Hungary | 0,0 ‰ | from 275 € | |
| Slovakia | 0,0 ‰ | from 200 € | |
| Slovenia | 0,5 ‰ | from 300 € | |
| Romania | 0,0 ‰ | from 410 € |
MPU test in Germany from 1.1 ‰
Finally, an important note for alcohol offences in Germany:
- from 0.5 ‰, 2 points in Flensburg and a driving ban of 1 month are due in addition to the fine.
- from a level of 1.1 ‰, your driving licence will be revoked for a longer period of time, and you could face severe fines as well as a medical-psychological examination (MPE).
With this in mind: Don't drink and drive and have a good journey with maut1.de!
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