Want to travel with medicinal cannabis and wondering what is allowed in Europe? Don't worry - you're not alone. Since cannabis has been permitted for medical purposes in countries such as Germany and Switzerland, many patients have been asking themselves precisely this question: What applies when traveling within Europe? The matter is anything but uniformly regulated. While you can easily fill your prescription in one country, things can get tricky in the next - especially if you want to take your medical cannabis with you.
In this article, you will find out what you need to look out for, what documents you need and how you can travel safely outside the Schengen area. Because good preparation is the be-all and end-all here.
First the good news: medicinal cannabis is now recognized in many European countries - for example in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. But be careful: Even if you have a doctor's prescription, medicinal cannabis is still considered a narcotic in most countries. And this has implications for your trip.
In Switzerland, the ban on cannabis for medical purposes was lifted on August 1, 2022.
Since then, doctors have been able to prescribe cannabis medicines without an exceptional permit from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). But - and here comes the catch - things are different internationally. Many countries are guided by the agreements of the international narcotics control treaties. This is why medical cannabis is often treated as a classic narcotic when traveling abroad.
This means for you: Even if you have been prescribed everything legally, you usually need a special certificate for traveling. Without this, it can quickly become unpleasant when entering the country - even if you are only traveling through one country.
In short: What is legal in your home country can quickly become a problem abroad. That's why it's extremely important to inform yourself well in advance. Your prescription alone is not enough when traveling.
If you're traveling to a Schengen country with medicinal cannabis, it's comparatively easy - but only comparatively. Unfortunately, there is no paperwork involved. For all countries that have joined the Schengen Agreement (e.g. France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland or Austria), you need a special certificate in accordance with Article 75 of the Schengen Convention.
What does that mean in concrete terms? You must have the form filled out by your treating doctor - it states, among other things, which cannabis medicines you are allowed to carry and in what quantity. You then take the form to the state health authority, which certifies the certificate. Sounds bureaucratic? It is. But without this document, you are not allowed to take your medication with you - not even for a weekend in Amsterdam.
Important:- A certificate is valid for 30 days.- You need a separate form for each medicine.- And: This only applies to personal use. You are not allowed to take anything with you for others.
So: secure the certificate, have it notarized, carry it in your hand luggage - then nothing stands in the way of your trip.
Travel to non-Schengen countries - medicinal cannabis
As soon as you leave Europe or travel to a European country that is not part of the Schengen Agreement - such as the UK, Ireland, Cyprus or Romania - things unfortunately get more complicated. Uniform rules? Not a chance. Every country has its own rules when it comes to medicinal cannabis.
Therefore: Check with the embassy or consulate of your destination country in good time. Some countries only allow importation with a special import permit, others severely restrict the quantities - and still others ban it completely.
What you usually need is:- A multilingual medical certificate (stating the dosage, active ingredient and duration of the trip)- Certification from your national health authority- An import permit from the destination country, if applicable
And what if it is forbidden to take it with you? Then you can check with your doctor whether you can get a prescription for the medication in the country you are visiting. If this is not possible either, the only option is to submit a time-consuming application to Swissmedic or the FOPH.
Sounds complicated? Yes. But with good preparation, you're on the safe side - even outside Europe.
Traveling with medicinal cannabis - preparation is everything
In all honesty, traveling with medicinal cannabis is possible - but not spontaneous. Especially if you want to go abroad. Within the Schengen area, you need the official certificate in accordance with Article 75, duly completed and notarized. And for trips beyond that, things get even stricter: multilingual medical confirmation, import authorization, sometimes even complete bans.
Our tip? Take care of it early enough. Call the embassy, talk to your doctor, get the necessary documents. That way you can travel relaxed, without any stress at the border. And don't forget: everything is for personal use only. Better safe than sorry.