Obtain a certificate for carrying narcotics when traveling abroad
As a patient, you may export or import narcotics prescribed by your doctor in the appropriate quantity for the duration of your trip as travel supplies.
When traveling for up to 30 days in member states of the Schengen Agreement, you may take narcotics prescribed by a doctor with you, provided you have a certificate completed by the doctor treating you. You must have this certificate notarized before starting your journey.
This regulation also applies if you are carrying narcotics that can be prescribed in the country of origin but not in the country of destination.
The transportation of narcotics by authorized persons is not permitted.
The website of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has clarified that carrying a certified travel certificate is still required for medical cannabis, even though (medical) cannabis has no longer been listed as a narcotic in Annex III of the Narcotics Act (BtMG) in Germany since April 1, 2024. The reason for the continued need for a notarized certificate for medicinal cannabis is due to the fact that medicinal cannabis is still considered a narcotic in the majority of Schengen states and other countries.
When traveling outside the "Schengen area", you should clarify the legal situation in the country to be visited before starting your trip. You must then obtain a multilingual certificate from your doctor.
If you are carrying certain substitution drugs (e.g. methadone), you should also enquire with the relevant diplomatic representation of the country of destination in Germany before you travel.
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 reasonable quantities and for the purpose of practicing medicine or providing first aid.
You must be able to identify yourself as a doctor (doctor's ID). Please contact the diplomatic representation of the country of destination before you travel to find out whether the narcotics can be taken along and whether any permits are required.
If you, as a patient, wish to carry narcotics acquired on the basis of a medical prescription when traveling to countries of the Schengen Agreement:
- download the "Certificate for carrying narcotics as part of medical treatment" from the website of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and ask your attending physician to complete it.
- Have the certificate certified by the highest state health authority or a body authorized by it on the basis of the medical prescription.
- A separate certificate is required for each narcotic prescribed.
- You must carry the certificate with you when you travel. It is valid for a maximum of 30 days.
When traveling to other countries:
- find out in advance about the regulations that apply in the destination country.
- Download the sample multilingual certificate from the BfArM website and ask your prescribing doctor to complete it.
The certificate contains information on individual and daily dosages, the name of the active substance and the duration of the trip. - Then have the certificate certified by the competent supreme state health authority or a body authorized by it.
- You must carry the certificate with you when you travel.
Responsibility lies with the districts and independent cities.
Medical prescription of the anesthetic
- Certificate for carrying narcotics as part of medical treatment
or
- Multilingual certificate for travel to countries outside the Schengen area
The certification of the certificate is subject to a fee according to the respective fee schedule of the certifying body
none
- Form:
- Certificate for carrying 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
Federal Ministry of Health
08.02.2019
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
