Obtaining a certificate for taking narcotics with you when traveling abroad
As a patient, you are allowed to export or import narcotics prescribed by your doctor in the amount appropriate for the duration of a trip as travel supplies.
When travelling for up to 30 days in member states of the Schengen Agreement, you can take medically prescribed narcotics with you, provided that you have a certificate completed by the attending physician. You must have this certificate certified before the start of the trip.
This rule also applies if you are carrying narcotics that can be prescribed in the country of origin but not in the country of destination.
The carriage of narcotics by authorized persons is not permitted.
When travelling outside the "Schengen area", you should clarify the legal situation in the country to be visited before starting the trip. After that, you will need to have a multilingual certificate issued by your doctor.
If you are carrying certain substitution drugs (e.g. methadone), you as a patient should also inquire at the relevant diplomatic mission of the destination country in Germany before starting your journey.
As a doctor, dentist or veterinarian, you may carry narcotics in the context of charitable missions abroad (e.g. Doctors Without Borders) or as medical practice supplies in cross-border traffic, if you use them in appropriate quantities and for the purpose of practicing medicine or providing first aid.
You must be able to identify yourself as a doctor (doctor's card). Before travelling, please check with the diplomatic mission of the country of destination whether the narcotics can be taken with you and, if necessary, permits are required.
Process flow
If you, as a patient, wish to carry narcotics purchased on the basis of a doctor's prescription when travelling to countries covered by the Schengen Agreement:
- download the "Certificate for carrying narcotics in the context of medical treatment" on the website of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and ask your attending physician to fill it out.
- Have the certificate certified by the highest state health authority or a body commissioned by it on the basis of the doctor's prescription.
- A separate certificate is required for each narcotic prescribed.
- You must carry the certificate with you when travelling. It is valid for a maximum of 30 days.
When traveling to other countries:
- inform yourself in advance about the regulations applicable in the destination country.
- Download the sample for a multilingual certificate from the BfArM website and ask your prescribing physician to fill it out.
The certificate shall contain information on individual and daily doses, the name of the active ingredient and the duration of the journey. - Then have the certificate certified by the competent supreme state health authority or a body commissioned by it.
- You must carry the certificate with you when travelling.
Requirements
Medical prescription of the narcotic
Which documents are required?
- Certificate for the carrying of narcotics in the context of medical treatment
or
- Multilingual certificate when travelling to countries outside the Schengen area
What are the fees?
The certification of the certificate is subject to a fee in accordance with the respective fee schedule of the certifying body
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
none
Legal basis
Applications / forms
- Form:
- Certificate for the carrying of narcotics in the context of medical treatment
- Sample multilingual certificate for travel to countries outside Schengen
- Online procedure possible: no
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: no
Certificate for the carrying of narcotics in the context of medical treatment
Sample multilingual certificate for travel to countries outside Schengen
Technically approved by
Federal Ministry of Health
Professionally released on
08.02.2019
Author
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
