Ages of consent in Europe: Difference between revisions

The [[Age of consent|ages of consent]] vary by jurisdiction across [[Europe]]. The unrestricted ages of consent – hereby meaning the age from which one is deemed able to consent to having sex with anyone else of consenting age or above, providing that the encounter does not involve [[commercial sex]] or a person in a recognized position of authority – are between 14 and 18. Some countries have close-in-age exceptions thatallowing gopartners asclose lowin asage 12to if both parties engagingengage in sexual acts are under 18. The vast majority of countries set their unrestricted ages in the range of 14 to 16; only four countries, [[Cyprus]] (17), the [[Republic of Ireland]] (17), [[Turkey]] (18), and the [[Vatican City]] (18), set an unrestricted age of consent higher than 16. The laws can also stipulate which specific activities are permitted or specify the age at which one or other sex can legally participate. The highlighted age is that from which a young person can lawfully engage in a non-commercial sexual act with an older person, regardless of their age difference, provided the older one is not in a position of power, a relative, or is committing another form of exploitation (such as abuse of power or dependence). In some jurisdictions, including [[#Italy|Italy]] and [[#Hungary|Hungary]], there are exemptions if the age difference is within prescribed bounds. All jurisdictions in Europe have equal and [[gender-neutral]] age limits.