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Legal status of tattooing in European countries

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Legislation controlling tattooing varies among countries in Europe. In many countries there is no particular legislation. In countries that do have legal controls, they relate mainly to the minimum age of clients. Greece and Denmark impose further stipulations.

Country Age Notes
 Austria 16 Parental consent can be written.[1]
 Belgium No legislation[2]
 Bulgaria 16
 Croatia 16 Parents must be present to give consent.
 Cyprus 16
 Czech Republic No legislation
 Denmark 18+ It is unlawful to tattoo someone on the head, neck and hands.[2][3]
 Estonia No legislation
 Finland 18+ Permit required for anyone under 18.
 France 16
 Germany 16 [4]
 Greece 18+ Greek tattoo law only covers tattoos and not permanent make-up. Other key provisions, in a non-exhaustive summary:[2]
  • Only tattoo persons who are at least 18 years of age. Persons under the age of 18 may only be tattooed in the presence of a guardian who has given the required written consent.
  • Not advise on the customer's state of physical health or offer any medical opinion.
  • Not effect any medical procedure, be it on the recommendation, under the guidance or with the help of any form of medical specialist.
  • Not proceed in any manner whatsoever to remove a tattoo.
 Guernsey 18+ As in the UK, a person under 18 may not be tattooed except for medical reasons, per the Tattooing, Piercing, Acupuncture and Electrolysis (Guernsey and Alderney) Law, 2000. In practise the law is rarely enforced.[5][6]
 Hungary No legislation
 Republic of Ireland 16+ 16 is de facto with parent present all over Ireland but there is no legislation[7]
 Isle of Man 18+ As in the UK, a person under 18 may not be tattooed except for medical reasons, per the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1984.[8]
 Italy 18+
 Jersey 16+ Unlike in the UK, Isle of Man or Guernsey, a child aged 16–18 may be tattooed with written parental consent under the Piercing and Tattooing (Jersey) Law 2002.[9]
 Latvia 18+
 Lithuania 16+ In Lithuania you can get a tattoo from the age of 16, in the presence of a guardian or a parent who has given the required written consent.
 Luxembourg 18+
 Malta 18[10]
 Netherlands 16 In the Netherlands, the age at which persons may decide for themselves to have a tattoo and piercing is 16 years. This age limit is suspended for earlobe piercing but pertains to all other areas. Informed consent forms, with information concerning health (including allergies) must be available and must be signed by the client. In the case of young adults under 16 years, a parent or guardian must sign. If they have signed but are not present with the client, the tattooist or piercer must verify their consent by telephone. Signed consent forms must be kept by the studio in a locked file for ten years.[11]
 Norway No legislation
 Poland 18
 Portugal 16
 Romania 18+
 Slovakia 16
 Slovenia No legislation
 Spain 14–17 Age varies by region.
 Sweden No legislation
 United Kingdom 18 Illegal to tattoo a person under the age of eighteen except when the tattoo is performed for medical reasons.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Age limits". Infomobil.org. Archived from the original on 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  2. ^ a b c "Justice and Consumers". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  3. ^ "The Danish Law on Tattooing". Tattoo.dk. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  4. ^ "Jugendschutzgesetz 2013: Ab wann sind Tattoos und Piercings erlaubt?". T-online.de. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  5. ^ "'Piercing law almost impossible to enforce'". guernseypress.com.
  6. ^ "Tattooing and Piercing". www.gov.gg. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  7. ^ "Children and rights in Ireland". Citizensinformation.ie. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  8. ^ "Isle of Man Government - Body piercing". www.gov.im.
  9. ^ "Piercing and Tattooing (Jersey) Law 2002". www.jerseylaw.je.
  10. ^ "CONTROL OF TATTOOING ACT". Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  11. ^ Hoek, J. A. R. van den; Coutinho, R. A.; Boonstra, A.; Worp, J. (1 January 2006). "Tattooing, permanent makeup and piercing in Amsterdam; guidelines, legislation and monitoring". Eurosurveillance. 11 (1): 5–6. doi:10.2807/esm.11.01.00591-en. Retrieved 2019-04-03 – via www.eurosurveillance.org.
  12. ^ "Tattooing Of Minors Act 1969". Legislation.gov. 1969. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
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