Yes, Absinthe is legal in Spain, but its production, sale, and marketing are tightly controlled under national and EU regulations. The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) enforces limits on thujone content, aligning with EU Directive 88/388/EEC, which caps thujone at 10 mg/kg for beverages and 35 mg/kg for spirits. Recent draft amendments to Spain’s Real Decreto 1074/2014 (scheduled for 2026 enforcement) propose stricter labeling requirements, including mandatory warnings about potential neurotoxic effects. Imports require prior notification to customs authorities, and artisanal producers must register with regional health boards.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Spain
- Thujone Limits: Absinthe sold in Spain must contain ≤10 mg/kg thujone (≤35 mg/kg for spirits). AESAN conducts random lab testing to verify compliance, with non-conforming batches subject to seizure.
- Alcohol Content: Products must adhere to Spain’s Ley 38/1992 on alcohol taxation, restricting absinthe to ≥40% ABV unless sold as a “liqueur” (lower ABV permitted with distinct labeling).
- Labeling & Warnings: Mandatory health warnings in Spanish must state: “Contiene tujona. Su consumo excesivo es perjudicial para la salud” (Contains thujone. Excessive consumption is harmful). The 2026 amendments may expand this to include neurotoxicity disclaimers.