Eelco Eerenberg, alderman for Public Health: “Especially among individuals under 18 years old, the health damage from alcohol consumption is the greatest, as their brains are still developing. Together with the hospitality industry, we will continue to focus on prevention and responsibility.” 

Prevention
Since 2017, the municipality has been working with the NIX18 Utrecht Foundation to ensure that Utrechts hospitality sector does not sell alcohol to individuals under 18 years old. In 2024, this cooperation was evaluated. It showed that there is a greater need for prevention. Therefore, in the new agreement, the municipality will invest €3,000 annually in training staff, for example. “With these agreements, we can work even more specifically on a safe nightlife environment for young people. We hope that more Utrecht hospitality entrepreneurs will join this initiative,” says Theo Burger, chairman of the NIX18 Utrecht Foundation. The new cooperation will last for 3 years and will be evaluated in between.

Compliance with age limit
In Utrecht, 38 hospitality businesses are part of the agreement. They have a compliance target of 70%. In the third quarter of 2024, 86% of the participating businesses did not serve alcohol to individuals under 18 years old (source: Enforcement report 2024). The compliance rates are higher than those of non-participating hospitality businesses. Compared to other municipalities, Utrecht scores high. In 2022, compliance with the alcohol age limit in the municipality of Utrecht was 50.8% and nationally 23.7%. In June 2025, the figures from the 2024 inspections will be known (biannual figures Bureau Objectief). 

How do the inspections work?
The NIX18 Utrecht Foundation was established for and by hospitality entrepreneurs and helps them comply with the age limit. The foundation has Bureau Objectief conduct inspections with test buyers every quarter among the participants of the foundation. If the participants do well, they receive a green card. If they do not do well, they receive a red card and tips on how to improve the situation. Additionally, re-inspections are conducted as extra learning moments.