Where and from what age can I buy alcohol at a Swiss supermarket?
In Switzerland you can buy beer and wine from age 16, while spirits, aperitifs and alcopops are sold only from 18 (federal law). In Ticino the limit is 18 for every alcoholic drink. You will find alcohol at Coop, Denner, Aldi, Lidl, Aligro and Otto's, but not in Migros stores, which stay alcohol-free by cooperative statute.
As of June 2026. This page explains where you can buy alcohol in Switzerland, from what age, and what to expect at the till. We only cover retailers from our comparison (Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl, Denner, Aligro, Otto's) and rely on official sources such as the federal health office (BAG), Sucht Schweiz, and the retailers themselves.
From what age can you buy alcohol in Switzerland?
The age limits are set in federal law and apply across the whole country. What matters is whether a drink is fermented (beer, wine, cider) or distilled (spirits, liqueurs, aperitifs, alcopops). Fermented drinks fall under the Foodstuffs Act (LMG), distilled ones under the Alcohol Act (AlkG). According to Sucht Schweiz and the BAG:
| Drink | Minimum age (federal) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Beer, wine, cider (fermented) | 16 years | Foodstuffs Act |
| Spirits, liqueurs, aperitifs | 18 years | Alcohol Act |
| Alcopops (distilled) | 18 years | Alcohol Act |
| Every drink in Ticino | 18 years | cantonal rule |
Important: some cantons go further than the federal minimum. The canton of Ticino bans the sale of any alcohol to anyone under 18, including beer and wine (per ti.ch). On top of that, the Criminal Code (StGB Art. 136) protects children under 16 from being given alcohol in health-endangering quantities. Some retailers set a higher bar by choice: Coop sells alcohol only from 18 (per coop.ch), and Aldi Suisse says it applies an 18 limit generally.
Which supermarkets sell alcohol, and why not Migros?
The best-known Swiss quirk: Migros stores sell no alcohol at all. The ban has been written into the cooperative statutes since 1928. In 2022, over 630,000 cooperative members voted on whether to add beer and wine, and none of the ten regional cooperatives reached the required two-thirds majority (per migros.ch). So Migros shops stay alcohol-free. It is different for the Migros Group's subsidiaries: the discounter Denner (owned by Migros since 2007) and the Migrolino convenience kiosks carry a wide alcohol range.
| Retailer | Alcohol on the shelf? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Migros (store) | No | alcohol-free by statute |
| Coop | Yes | sold from 18 |
| Denner | Yes | large wine and spirits range |
| Aldi Suisse | Yes | limit generally from 18 |
| Lidl Switzerland | Yes | age checked by staff |
| Aligro | Yes | large spirits range (cash and carry) |
| Otto's | Yes | wine and spirits |
If you want to compare beer, wine or spirits, the price comparison is the place to start, because weekly deals differ a lot between Coop, Denner, Aldi and Lidl. The unit price per litre is also handy for comparing bottles of different sizes fairly.
How does the age check work at the till?
At a staffed checkout, the cashier checks your age with an official ID (passport, ID card, driving licence) if there is any doubt. Self-checkouts work differently: at Coop and Coop Pronto you are asked to scan an official ID before the alcohol purchase is released (per Blick, coop.ch). So keep your ID handy, especially if you look young. For online orders, reputable shops also verify age, at the latest on delivery.
At night and at petrol stations, extra cantonal rules may apply: according to the BAG/Obsan monitoring (MonAM, as of November 2025), five cantons have time-based sales restrictions (night-sale bans) and three cantons ban alcohol sales at petrol stations. Exactly which cantons and which hours apply is set by cantonal law, so check the rules for the canton where you live.
See it live in Rappn. Rappn is the only neutral price-comparison app in Switzerland (no agreements with any retailer). Compare beer, wine and spirits deals from Coop, Denner, Aldi, Lidl, Aligro and Otto's in one place, with more than 10,000 offers from over 3,000 supermarkets, 100% free. Download Rappn and find the cheapest bottle near you.
Sources checked: .
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age do you have to be to buy beer and wine in Switzerland?
Under federal law, 16 (fermented drinks, Foodstuffs Act). In the canton of Ticino the limit is 18 for all alcohol, and some retailers such as Coop and Aldi voluntarily apply 18.
From what age can you buy spirits and alcopops?
Spirits, liqueurs, aperitifs and alcopops can only be sold from 18 (Alcohol Act), everywhere in Switzerland.
Why does Migros not sell alcohol?
An alcohol ban has been in the Migros cooperative statutes since 1928. In 2022 the members voted against lifting it, so Migros stores stay alcohol-free. Subsidiaries like Denner and Migrolino do sell alcohol.
Where can I buy alcohol in a supermarket?
At Coop, Denner, Aldi Suisse, Lidl Switzerland, Aligro and Otto's, but not in Migros stores. The easiest way to compare deal prices is the Rappn app.
Do I have to show ID when buying alcohol?
Yes, if staff have any doubt about your age. At self-checkouts (for example Coop and Coop Pronto) you have to scan an official ID before the purchase is released.