Europe has strict laws regarding medication and prescription drugs, so if you’re planning a trip there, you must understand the rules and regulations on how to travel safely with medication while in Europe.
Please note that this guide only refers to medication required for your health and prescribed by a doctor. Any other types of narcotic drugs you use for recreational purposes are strictly prohibited.
Can I Travel With Medication to Europe?
Yes, you can take your medication with you on your trip to Europe, but some restrictions vary depending on the type of medication. For example, you can generally carry over-the-counter medication (OTCs) without any restrictions as long as you follow the instructions on how to carry it in your luggage.
But if you’re using prescription drugs or controlled substances such as narcotics and opioids, then each country regulates its limitations in terms of dosage and what documentation you need to carry with you to show the validity of the prescription.
Rules When Traveling With Over-Counter Medicine in Europe
If you’re traveling with over-the-counter medications (OTCs), which are medicines that can be used without a prescription, such as Tylenol or Paracetamol, you should have no issues or be required to take any additional steps to have that medication on your person.
That being said, keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Make sure the medication you’re bringing with you is considered an OTC where you’re going. What may be an OTC in your country can be a prescription drug in another European country, which is why you need to check with the corresponding embassy, your airline, or even your doctor or pharmacist before traveling.
- Make sure the medicine is in its original packaging. This way, if you are required to show it at any point during the border crossing, it will be clearly visible what kind of medicine it is.
Rules When Traveling With Controlled Substances in Europe
Controlled substances are drugs or medications that are usually under strict guidelines when given out with prescriptions and which, at times, can be obtained illegally. These usually include narcotics, opioids, hallucinogens, stimulants, etc.
When traveling with a controlled substance across Europe, you need to follow these general guidelines:
- You must have a medical prescription from a licensed healthcare professional from your country before traveling. Please note that you may be required to translate the prescription either in English or in one of the corresponding languages of your destination country.
- You can only carry enough medication to last you for the duration of your trip, which is usually between 30 days to 90 days, depending on the type of medication.
Additionally, each country regulates the dosage limit according to their specific rules and laws as follows:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
We strongly advise you to check the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) before traveling, which has detailed information on traveling internationally with controlled substances for every country.
What Kind of Medication Is Not Allowed in Europe?
You can bring to Europe any medication that is required for your health, but for the following drugs, you need a medical prescription from a legitimate healthcare provider:
- Sleeping pills and medication for anxiety, such as Valium.
- Medications for ADHD such as Ritalin, Adderall, or Concerta.
- Medical cannabis.
- Strong painkillers (opioids) such as morphine, oxycodone, or fentanyl.
In addition, these types of medications must always be for personal use, which means the amount you bring with you is limited and should only last you for the duration of your trip.
Do the Same Rules Apply to Schengen Citizens?
Under Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention, Schengen citizens or residents who want to travel with narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances within the Schengen Area must follow these rules as listed here:
- They must have a medical prescription from a certified healthcare provider for their medication.
- They must obtain a Schengen Medical Certificate from the competent authorities within their country, usually a pharmacy. This certificate is a form that states the name and dosage of the medication and that the holder needs this specific medication for a health condition. It must be signed by a medical professional.
The Schengen Medical Certificate has a validity of 30 days, and travelers need a separate certificate for each medication accompanied by the corresponding prescription.
Important reminder: These rules are valid for travel only within the Schengen Area; if Schengen citizens and residents are traveling outside of the Schengen countries, they should verify the requirements of the country they’re traveling to.
Tips on How to Travel With Medication in Europe
To ensure you are traveling safely with your medication and they don’t get confiscated, follow these practical tips:
- Carry your prescription with you. If you are using any type of medication or drug that a doctor has prescribed, you must carry your prescription with you when traveling. Your prescription must be signed by your doctor and clearly state the name of the medication, brand, and dosage.
- Always keep your medications in their original packaging. Never take your medication out of its original packaging. If you are stopped at any time, either at the airport or after arriving, you may be asked to show your medication. Leaving them in their original packaging makes it easier for border patrol officers to verify the authenticity of the medication. If you are using a pill container, make sure to label it correctly and have your prescription ready (if you have one).
- Keep them in your hand luggage. Putting your medication along with your prescription (if you have one) in your hand luggage makes it easier for you to transport them, and if you’re required to show them, you can easily access them rather than putting them in your checked baggage.
- Check the rules and regulations of your airline and destination country. Make sure to verify before traveling what the specific regulations are when traveling with medicine to your destination country in Europe. Additionally, you need to follow your airline guidelines; for example, if you’re carrying liquid medicine or ointment, most airlines allow you to carry it in your hand luggage if it’s in a 100ml bottle, but this can vary depending on the airline.
Stay Informed and Protected! Planning a trip or move to Europe? Ensure you’re prepared by reading our detailed article on How European Healthcare and Health Insurance Work: A Comprehensive Guide.
Buying Medication While in Europe
If you run out of your medication while you’re in Europe, you can try to get another dose for the remainder of your stay. If it’s an OCT medication, you can usually find it in a local pharmacy under a different brand name.
However, if it’s a medication that is not given without a prescription in most EU countries, you cannot buy your medication with your old prescription. You need to get a new prescription from an EU/EEA doctor or healthcare provider.
You can usually make an appointment with a family doctor to get a new prescription at any healthcare center where you are visiting. However, in case your travel health insurance won’t cover the visit since this would be considered a regular check-up and not an emergency, you will have to pay out of pocket.
We advise you to bring enough medication to last you for the duration of your trip to Europe (but no more than 90 days) because it’s much easier for you to use the medication already prescribed by your doctor that you bought in your home country than get a new prescription while you’re in Europe.
FAQ
I use medical cannabis to manage my symptoms which my doctor prescribed for me. Can I bring it with me to Europe?
If you have a valid prescription from your doctor for this medicinal cannabis, then you can bring it with you as long as you carry your prescription as well.
Can I take my antibiotics with me to Europe?
Yes, if you’re actively treating a condition with antibiotics, you can bring them with you, as long as it’s been prescribed by a doctor, and you bring your prescription with you and carry it in its original container.
Can my medication be confiscated?
Yes, if you’re bringing medicine that cannot be taken without a prescription or a controlled substance, and you do not have a prescription or a legitimate medical reason why you need this medication, border patrol officers may confiscate your medication or even deny you entry.
This is why it’s important you always check the rules and regulations of your specific destination country before traveling.
What if I have to stay for longer than 90 days?
If you’re staying longer than 90 days in any country in Europe, you will most likely have applied for and obtained a long-term visa to stay there. This will make you a temporary or long-term resident, depending on the type of your visa.
This means you have to find a new doctor in your new country, get your check-ups, and then get a prescription written by a doctor in the country where you’re staying. With your new prescription, you can continue to get the medication you need for your health.
Please note that using the prescription from your home country will most likely be difficult, if not impossible.
Can I send my medication by mail?
In most European countries, it is strictly prohibited to send your prescription medication by post or mail. You should simply pack your medication with you when you travel to Europe.