Purchases made by children

The child’s age and the value of the purchase determine if the guardian’s consent is required for making a purchase. The vendor has a responsibility to check the buyer’s age and the guardian’s consent.

Consumers under the age of 18

• can only make ordinary purchases of small significance without their parent’s or guardian’s consent
• use their pocket money to buy products that are reasonably priced and commonly bought by consumers of the same age
• cannot purchase such items as a pet, a trip abroad or a tattoo without the guardian’s consent.

Consumers aged 15 and over

• can use their earnings, such as wages from a summer job, to also make larger purchases.

 

A minor may make cash purchases

As a rule, minors can only make cash purchases independently. This means that a person aged under 18 cannot get a credit card or take out a consumer loan, and they cannot be subjected to debt collection proceedings in principle. The appropriateness of making purchases against an invoice is assessed on the basis of the child’s age and level of development as well as the content of the contract.

Minors, obligation to pay and debt collection

A minor may also have an obligation to pay in some situations. However, debt collection proceedings imposed exclusively on a minor should be an exceptional situation.

Payments that concern minors include

• taxes
• various public charges, including hospital and health centre fees.

The obligation to pay of a person aged under 15 may also arise from

• compulsory motor insurance premiums
• a public transport inspection fee
• a fine.