At 16, young adolescents can conclude age-appropriate contracts themselves, for example the purchase of a prepaid cell phone or computer games. Smaller purchases on the internet are also permitted with parental consent. For larger purchases, parents must still give their consent. If they do not, the purchase contract is invalid.

16-year-olds must have a valid identity card or passport. However, they are not obliged to have this with them at all times.

A minimum age of 16 is required for many school and vacation jobs. Pupils can now earn extra pocket money here. The permitted working hours for young people aged 16 and over have also been extended. In bakeries and in agriculture, 16-year-olds are allowed to work from 5 a.m., in restaurants and in the fairground industry until 10 p.m. in the evening. Further details are regulated by the Youth Employment Protection Act.

16-year-olds are allowed to buy alcohol such as beer, sparkling wine and wine in restaurants and supermarkets or consume it at town or shooting festivals, for example. However, high-proof spirits such as gin, grappa, vodka or mixed drinks such as cola-rum remain prohibited until the age of 18.

At the age of 16, young people can obtain a driving license for categories A1 (motorcycles up to 125 cc), AM (mopeds, scooters), L (agricultural and forestry tractors) and T (tractors and work machines up to 40 km/h). After the BF17 category, driving a car is permitted from the age of 17 if accompanied. The theory test may be taken three months before the 17th birthday. After passing the practical test, young people are entitled to drive category B vehicles when accompanied by an experienced chaperone. Parental consent is required for this. Anyone who passes the driving test will receive a certificate as a minor, on which the accompanying persons must be noted. (Note: There is a fee for each registered accompanying person for the entry on the certificate)

With this certificate, however, accompanied minors may only drive within Germany. After their 18th birthday, young people receive a real driving license. This must be collected from the relevant driving license office.

This is important to note: Participation in accompanied driving must be reported to the motor vehicle insurance company, even before the first accompanied journey. There may be adjustments to the rates. It is best to find out from your insurance provider whether and to what extent premium adjustments apply.

Films are now free "from 16". However, the screening must end at midnight.

16-year-olds are allowed to stay in restaurants or dance in discos until midnight. Staying longer is only possible if parents are present or a person with parental authority. It is also permitted to stay longer if a recognized youth welfare organization is the organizer. This is regulated in the Youth Protection Act. Nightclubs and night bars, to which access is only granted from the age of 18, remain taboo. Parents generally decide how long children and young people are allowed to stay out alone in the evening. The Youth Protection Act sets time limits linked to the age of the child "only" in certain cases, for example for visits to restaurants, discos or amusement arcades. Parents or legal guardians can therefore also set earlier closing times.

The protection of minors in the media provides for age restrictions for films and digital games, recognizable by the age rating, e.g. "Released from 16 years".

Anyone under the age of 18 may not participate in games with the chance of winning in public. Persons under the age of 18 are also prohibited from being in an arcade. There is only one exception: these are games at fairs where the prize is of low value.

16-year-old girls can decide for themselves whether they want to be prescribed the pill - even without their parents' consent.

Smoking in public is prohibited for minors under the age of 18. According to the Youth Protection Act, it is forbidden to give cigarettes and tobacco products to children and young people. This also applies to the consumption of shishas and e-cigarettes.

Many studios tattoo and pierce 16-year-olds. However, parents or legal guardians must give their consent.

You can be sworn in at the age of 16.

In local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, 16-year-olds will be able to cast their vote. Voting in elections to the EU Parliament will also be possible from the age of 16 from the 2024 European elections. Joining a party is permitted from the age of 16.