Bringing medication to Germany
In general, medication may only be sold in Germany if it has been approved by the relevant federal authority or if approval has been granted by the European Commission. However, there are no such restrictions on unapproved or unregistered medication imported for personal use and no permit, approval or registration is therefore required.
When entering Germany with medication, 'personal use' is defined as the amount needed for three months based on the recommended dosage for the medication in question.
Travellers from the EU can bring medication into Germany without having to comply with customs formalities. Different regulations apply to travellers from countries outside the EU customs area and they must carry a medical certificate.
Special rules apply to narcotics (see below). Patients may carry their narcotics with them, but only in reasonable quantities and with a prescription.
Taking medication abroad
If you are travelling to the Schengen area and wish to bring along medication that falls under the German Narcotics Drugs Act, you will need a medical form. This form must be completed in full and presented to the health department for certification. A separate form must be used for each prescribed narcotic. The duration of the trip must be stated correctly and must correspond to the travel dates. The prescription is valid for a maximum of 30 days. If your trip is longer, you must arrange an extension yourself. This also applies to medications that are not classified as narcotics in Germany but are considered as such abroad; for example, medical cannabis.
For those bringing prescription narcotics to countries outside the Schengen Area, the German Federal Opium Agency recommends adhering to the guidelines of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). Patients should obtain a certificate from their treating physician before travelling. This certificate must then be certified by the relevant supreme state health authority or an agency appointed by it. You should carry the original with you throughout your trip. While the form of the certificate is not specified by law, it should be clearly structured and understandable—ideally in English or in the language of the country you are travelling to if necessary.
However, this is only a recommendation: There is no guarantee that the certificate will be accepted in all countries. Travellers should enquire about the import and export conditions of their destination country. Details of the rules of each country are provided on the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) website. This information is available in several languages including Arabic, English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian and French. If you are unsure, you can always contact the relevant customs authority in the country in question.
Further information
Guide to travelling with narcotics on the website of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.