Traveling with Medications to 🇩🇪 Germany
| Medication | Category | Status | Quantity Limit | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Codeine Co-codamol, Tylenol 3, Solpadeine | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for personal use | NO |
Tramadol Ultram, Tramacet, Zydol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply | NO |
Adderall (Amphetamine) Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine | stimulant | PROHIBITED | Zero — unauthorized import | NO |
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet | stimulant | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for EU travelers; up to 30 days with BtM-Bescheinigung for non-EU | NO |
Modafinil Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil | wakefulness-agent | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply | NO |
Testosterone Sustanon, Nebido, AndroGel | hormone-anabolic | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply | NO |
Medical Cannabis Epidiolex, Sativex, Bedrocan | cannabis | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for EU travel; import from outside EU requires BfArM permit | YES |
CBD (Cannabidiol) Charlotte's Web, Epidiolex, Various brands | cannabis-derivative | RESTRICTED | Cosmetic and food CBD products must meet EU Novel Food and EFSA standards | NO |
Diazepam Valium, Diastat, Diazemuls | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 30-day supply for travelers from EU/Schengen | NO |
Melatonin Circadin, Natrol Melatonin, Various OTC brands | sleep-hormone | RESTRICTED | 3 months personal supply | NO |
Pseudoephedrine Sudafed, Actifed, Clarinase | decongestant | ALLOWED | Personal use in original packaging | NO |
Amoxicillin Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin (with clavulanic acid) | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Azithromycin Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metformin Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Insulin (injectable) Humalog, NovoLog, Lantus | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Atorvastatin Lipitor | lipid-lowering | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Amlodipine Norvasc | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Levothyroxine Synthroid, Eltroxin, Euthyrox | thyroid-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Omeprazole Prilosec, Losec | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Prednisone (Prednisolone) Deltasone, Sterapred | corticosteroid | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir | bronchodilator | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven | anticoagulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, Nurofen | nsaid | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol | analgesic | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Morphine MS Contin, Sevredol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Oxycodone OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Alprazolam Xanax, Niravam | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Lorazepam Ativan | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Sertraline Zoloft, Lustral | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Fluoxetine Prozac, Sarafem | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Betaloc | beta-blocker | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Esomeprazole Nexium | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Detailed Rules
Codeine
WHO: Narcotic (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Codeine is a controlled narcotic (Betäubungsmittel) in Germany under the BtMG. Personal quantities with valid prescription from an EU or recognized country are generally accepted. Bring original packaging and a translated prescription if possible.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter in German or English
Tramadol
WHO: Not internationally scheduled but controlled in many countries
Tramadol is an opioid analgesic regulated under German narcotics law (BtMG). Travelers with a valid prescription can bring a 30-day supply. Prescription should ideally include a German or English translation.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter
Adderall (Amphetamine)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedule II)
Adderall-type mixed amphetamine salts are not licensed medications in Germany. Amphetamines are Schedule I substances (BtMG Anlage III). Bringing Adderall from the US is not permitted. Arrange alternative ADHD treatment such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) before travel.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule II)
Methylphenidate is a Betäubungsmittel (narcotic) in Germany. EU travelers from Schengen countries can bring up to a 30-day supply with prescription. Non-EU travelers should carry a BtM-Bescheinigung certificate issued by their doctor.
- —Prescription
- —BtM (narcotic prescription) documentation
- —Doctor's letter
Modafinil
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Modafinil is a prescription-only drug (verschreibungspflichtig) in Germany, not a Betäubungsmittel. Personal quantities with prescription are generally importable without special permits.
- —Prescription
Testosterone
WHO: Not scheduled under international conventions but controlled as anabolic steroid in many countries
Testosterone is a prescription medication in Germany (verschreibungspflichtig). It is not on the BtMG narcotic list so no special narcotic prescription is needed. Personal quantities with valid prescription are importable.
- —Prescription
Medical Cannabis
WHO: Schedule I (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Germany legalized medical cannabis in 2017. Patients with a valid German BtM prescription can carry their medication within Germany and the Schengen area. Importing from non-EU countries requires a BfArM import authorization.
- —BfArM import authorization
- —German or EU medical cannabis prescription (BtM-Rezept)
- —Product documentation
Permit Required
Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM)
CBD (Cannabidiol)
WHO: Removed from Schedule I in 2020 WHO recommendation; national laws vary widely
Hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.2% THC are generally legal in Germany for food, cosmetic, and supplement use. Medical CBD (prescription) is regulated separately. Novel Food rules apply to oral CBD supplements.
Diazepam
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Diazepam is a Betäubungsmittel (BtMG) in Germany. EU/Schengen travelers can carry up to 30 days with a Schengen certificate (BtM-Bescheinigung). Non-EU travelers should carry comprehensive documentation.
- —Prescription
- —BtM documentation for Schengen travel
Melatonin
WHO: Not internationally scheduled
Melatonin above 0.5mg per dose is classified as a prescription medicine in Germany. OTC melatonin products commonly sold in the US are not licensed in Germany. Travelers may bring personal use quantities but should carry a prescription for doses above 0.5mg.
- —Prescription for doses over 0.5mg if marketed as medicine
Pseudoephedrine
WHO: Precursor chemical (listed in Table I of the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic, 1988)
Pseudoephedrine is a pharmacy-only OTC product in Germany. Not a controlled substance under BtMG. Personal quantities can be imported without special documentation.
Amoxicillin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (penicillin antibiotic)
Amoxicillin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Azithromycin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (macrolide antibiotic)
Azithromycin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metformin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (oral antidiabetic)
Metformin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Insulin (injectable)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (hormone)
Insulin (injectable) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Atorvastatin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (statin)
Atorvastatin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Lisinopril
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (ACE inhibitor)
Lisinopril is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Amlodipine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (calcium channel blocker)
Amlodipine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Levothyroxine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (thyroid hormone)
Levothyroxine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Omeprazole
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (PPI)
Omeprazole is OTC.
Prednisone (Prednisolone)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (corticosteroid)
Prednisone (Prednisolone) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (β2-agonist)
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Warfarin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (anticoagulant)
Warfarin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Ibuprofen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (NSAID)
Ibuprofen is OTC in most destinations.
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (analgesic)
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen is OTC in most destinations.
Morphine
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Morphine is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Oxycodone
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Oxycodone is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Alprazolam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, Schedule IV)
Alprazolam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Lorazepam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention 1971 Schedule IV)
Lorazepam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Sertraline
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Sertraline is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Fluoxetine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Fluoxetine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metoprolol
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (beta-blocker)
Metoprolol is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Esomeprazole
WHO: PPI (related to omeprazole)
Esomeprazole is OTC.