Travelling with medication

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Most travellers who take regular medication cross borders without any difficulty. But the rules around controlled drugs are strict, and a surprising number of common medications — including some anxiety medicines, strong painkillers and ADHD treatments — fall into this category. Knowing what counts as a controlled substance and what documents to carry could save you a serious problem at the border.

Most medications: no special procedure

For the majority of prescription and over-the-counter medications, crossing a European border does not require any special documentation beyond the medicine itself in its original packaging. Bringing a personal supply for the duration of your trip — typically a few weeks — rarely attracts attention. Best practice is to:

• Keep medication in its original, labelled packaging.
• Carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor, in English where possible.
• Pack medicines in hand luggage (not checked bags) so they are accessible and not subject to temperature or pressure extremes in a cargo hold.
• Bring enough for the trip plus a few days' buffer, in case of delays.

These steps are not usually legally required for common medicines, but they smooth things over if you are asked about what you are carrying.

Controlled drugs: a stricter category

Controlled substances — also called psychotropic or narcotic medicines — are a different matter. These are drugs with potential for misuse or dependency that are subject to international conventions and national regulations. Moving them across borders without the right paperwork can constitute a serious criminal offence, even when you have a legitimate prescription.

Common medicines that may be classified as controlled substances include:

• Opioid painkillers (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine in high doses)
• Benzodiazepines (diazepam/Valium, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam)
• Stimulants used for ADHD (methylphenidate/Ritalin, amphetamine salts/Adderall)
• Some sleeping pills (zolpidem/Ambien)
• Ketamine and certain anaesthetics
• Some antidepressants and antipsychotics in specific countries

This is not a complete list. Classification varies by country, and a substance that is unrestricted in one country may be strictly controlled in another.

What documents to carry for controlled drugs

For travel within the Schengen Area with a controlled substance, the recommended approach is to carry:

• A letter from your prescribing doctor stating your name, the name and dosage of the medication, the medical reason for it, and the dates and duration of your travel.
• A copy of the prescription, ideally translated into the languages of the countries you are visiting.
• The medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label intact.

For travel outside the Schengen Area, many countries issue a specific permit for travellers carrying controlled substances. In the UK, the Home Office issues a licence for travel with certain drugs. In other countries, equivalent permits are available from health or interior ministries. These permits are recognised at borders and greatly simplify any examination of your luggage.

The process for obtaining a permit typically takes several weeks, so plan well ahead. Contact the relevant authority in your home country and the embassy of each destination country if you are unsure whether a permit is required.

Supply limits

Most countries that permit entry with controlled substances set a limit on the quantity. Within the Schengen Area, carrying up to 30 days' supply is generally considered acceptable with the appropriate documentation. Some countries impose lower limits (typically a three-month supply is the absolute maximum anywhere). Check the specific rules for each country on your route.

It is worth noting that you cannot simply purchase additional controlled medication abroad without a local prescription. Do not plan on "topping up" your supply during a trip — bring what you need.

Over-the-counter medicines that cause problems

Beyond controlled drugs, some common over-the-counter medicines in your home country may be prescription-only or restricted in your destination. Codeine, for example, is sold freely in some countries but is either prescription-only or controlled in others. Pseudoephedrine (in decongestants) is restricted in certain countries. Even high-dose antihistamines have raised flags at some borders.

If in doubt about a specific product, check with a pharmacist in the destination country, the country's embassy, or your own government's travel health advice pages before you travel.

Travelling with insulin and other self-administered injectables

Carrying needles and syringes across borders for legitimate medical purposes — insulin for diabetes, certain hormone treatments, allergy epinephrine auto-injectors — is generally permitted, but documentation helps enormously. A doctor's letter confirming the diagnosis and the need for self-injection, plus the medication in its original packaging, will avoid awkward questions at airport security and border crossings. Keep injectables in hand luggage, not checked bags.

Cannabis-based medicines

Medical cannabis is legal and prescribed in a growing number of European countries but remains illegal in others. Moving cannabis-based medicines across European borders is extremely risky even with a valid prescription, because the receiving country may not recognise the medication as legal. Do not assume that a prescription issued in one European country will be accepted in another. Seek advice from the relevant embassies and your own doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Can I carry someone else's prescription medication for them while travelling?

You should not. Carrying controlled substances that are prescribed to someone else — even a travelling companion — can be treated as unlicensed possession at a border. Each person should carry their own supply with their own documentation.

What should I do if my medication is confiscated at the border?

Ask for a receipt and written explanation for the confiscation. Contact your country's embassy in the destination country immediately. If the medicine is essential, seek emergency medical attention and ask local doctors about obtaining an equivalent locally. Keep records of everything for insurance purposes.

Do I need to declare medication at a European border?

Routine prescription medicines in personal quantities are not generally declarable at EU borders in the same way as cash or dutiable goods. However, controlled substances should be declared proactively, particularly if you are carrying documentation. If in doubt, use the red channel and declare.

Can I send medication ahead by post or courier?

Sending medication internationally by post is subject to customs rules and in many cases is restricted for prescription drugs. Controlled substances sent by post may be seized regardless of their legitimate purpose. This approach is generally not reliable for important medicines — carry what you need.