Prostitution age of consent

The prostitution age of consent is the minimum age at which a person may legally engage in prostitution. Where this is not specified in the individual county's prostitution laws, then the general age of consent laws for that country apply.

Prostitution age of consent by country

Country	Prostitution age of consent	Client age of consent	Penalty for a violation	Note
Algeria	18 [1]
Argentina	18 [2]
Benin	16 [3]
Bolivia	18 [4]
Canada	18 [5]
Colombia	18 [6]		From 14 to 25 years if prostitute is under 18;
Cuba	16 [4]
Czech Republic	18 [7]
Denmark	18 [8]
Democratic Republic of the Congo	18 [2]
Ecuador	18 [1]
El Salvador	18 [2]
Ethiopia	18 [4]
Germany	18 [9]		Up to 5 years or fine if prostitute is under 18; From 2 to 15 years if prostitute is under 14;
Greece	18 [2]
Guinea-Bissau	14 [10]			Prostitution of children is not specifically prohibited, however the minimum labor age (14) applies.
Honduras	18 [4]
Hong Kong	16 (21 for anal sex) [11]		A fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for 6 months
Hungary	18 [1]
Ireland	18 [12]
Lebanon	21 [1]
Mexico (in states where prostitution is legal)	18 [2]
Netherlands	18 nationally, 21 in some municipalities [13]	16 [14]
New Zealand	18 [15]	16 [15]
Nicaragua	18 [2] [16]
Paraguay	18 [2]
Peru	18 [1]
Senegal	21 [1]
Singapore	18 [2]
Tunisia	18 [1]
Tuvalu	15 [17]
United Kingdom	18 [18]	16 [19]
United States (Nevada only)	18 [20]
Uruguay	18 [1]
Venezuela	18 [1]

See also

• Prostitution portal
• Sex work portal

• Prostitution law
• Prostitution by region

References

1. "Sex Work Law - Countries". Sexuality, Poverty and Law. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
2. "The Legal Status of Prostitution by Country". ChartsBin. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
3. Zonneveld, Patrick (18 April 2003). "Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Benin". Refworld. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
4. "100 Countries and Their Prostitution Policies - Legal Prostitution". ProCon.org. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
5. "The Law of Sex Work". OWJN. July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
6. Alsema, Adriaan (21 June 2012). "Medellin and Caribbean are Colombia's main sex tourism destinations". Colombia News. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
7. "40/2009 Sb. Trestní zákoník". Zákony pro lidi (in Czech). Retrieved 2019-11-25.
8. Dyrvig, Theresa; Danske, Den Store (29 April 2025). "Historie og straffeloven". Lex (in Danish). Retrieved 18 May 2025.
9. Saxena, Shreya (21 June 2017). "Legal Situation of Prostitution in Germany". The News Geeks. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
10. Zonneveld, Patrick (2022). "2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor Guinea Bissau" (PDF). Dol.gov. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
11. Zonneveld, Patrick (25 June 2021). "Crimes relating to prostitution". Family CILC. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
12. "Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
13. "New Prostitution Policy in the Netherlands". Amsterdam Red Light District Tours. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
14. "Red Light District -- Age Limits for prostitutes and their clients". Amsterdam Tourist Information. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
15. "Sex Work Law > Current Law". www.sexworklaw.co.nz. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
16. "Nicaragua Age of Consent & Statutory Rape Laws".
17. "Tuvalu Penal Code" (PDF). Tuvalu Legislation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
18. Sexual Offences Act 2003
19. Sexual Offences Act 2003
20. "Nevada Prostitution and Solicitation Laws". Findlaw. Retrieved 10 June 2018.