Travel Tuesday: Travelling to Germany with medical cannabis

Is medical cannabis legal in Germany?

Medical cannabis was legalised in Germany in 2017 with the introduction of the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG). 

The legislation permitted physicians to prescribe cannabis-based medicines, including medical cannabis flower and extracts, to patients with serious illnesses when conventional treatments had proven ineffective or were not tolerated. Since then, Germany has become the largest medical cannabis market in Europe. 

But the country’s cannabis reforms didn’t end there. 

In 2024, the German parliament passed further legislation, effectively legalising adult-use, non-medical cannabis. The reforms were introduced in two stages: In pillar 1, commencing on 1 April 2024, adults were permitted to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis and cultivate up to three plants at home. From 1 July 2024, cannabis social clubs were permitted to operate on a members-only basis.

But while cannabis may now be legal in Germany, there are still several things to bear in mind when travelling with your prescription.

Can I travel to Germany with medical cannabis?

So, medical cannabis is legal in both the UK and Germany. But as a prescription-only medication containing controlled substances, there are certain rules when it comes to travelling with medical cannabis. According to government guidance, you should always keep your medication in your hand luggage and carry proof of your prescription. But more rules may apply depending on the country you are travelling to. 

For this reason, it is always advisable to check with your destination country’s embassy in the UK. In this case, this would mean contacting the German Embassy in London. 

Do you  need authorisation to travel to Germany with medical cannabis?

While cannabis is no longer classified as a narcotic in Germany, it is still considered such in other European countries and under the Schengen Agreement. Therefore, patients are required to apply for a travel certificate to travel to Germany with medicinal cannabis. 

You can download and complete an application form for a travel certificate directly from Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices’ (BfArM) website. To complete the form, you will be required to provide the following information:

• Details of prescribing doctor (name, address, contact details and signature)
• Patient details (name, nationality, address, date of birth, etc.)
• Travel details (Duration of travel, passport number, validity of authorisation)
• Details of your medication (preparation, dosage, quantity, etc.)
• Details of the accrediting authority (clinic details)

Can you request a travel certificate from Releaf?

Yes, and it is free of charge for all Releaf patients. While this service isn’t offered by all medical cannabis clinics in the UK, at Releaf, we aim to help make your travel plans as smooth as possible. 

Your Releaf travel certificate includes all of the information relevant to your travels, including your prescription information, travel dates, and medication details. Requesting your travel certificate couldn’t be easier - simply head to your patient portal! 

Generally, you should receive a physical copy of your travel certificate within two to five days of your departure date, but we advise you to submit your request with plenty of time to spare (while also accounting for the validity of your current prescription). You can also download a digital version of your certificate, which will typically be available within two hours.

For more information about Releaf’s travel certificates, head to ‘How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis’.

Is there anything else you can do to prepare for travelling with medical cannabis?

Even though medical cannabis is a legal and legitimate form of medication in many countries in Europe and beyond. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone you come across will be aware of this. As such, it is important to be as prepared as possible when travelling with medical cannabis. 

As we mentioned earlier, this can include carrying your medication in your hand luggage, along with a copy of your prescription. All Releaf patients also receive a medical cannabis card with their passport-style photo, name, and patient number, confirming that they are a UK-registered medical cannabis patient. 

The card includes a QR code linked to your Releaf medical records. When the QR code is scanned, you’ll receive a one-time password by SMS or email, which you can choose to share. This allows authorities to check your active patient status and prescription details securely. The card is designed to support conversations with airport staff, border officials, or other authorities by helping you show that you are a lawful medical cannabis patient. 

It does not replace your prescription, travel certificate, or official identification, but it can be a helpful additional form of supporting documentation when travelling.

Now that you have received confirmation from the German Embassy, have requested your travel certificate, and have your medical cannabis card at the ready, you should be ready for a smooth trip to Germany! 

If you’re not a legally prescribed medical cannabis patient, we can help clarify whether you could be eligible for treatment. Head to our free medical cannabis eligibility checker today. The specialist doctors and expert staff who make up our world-class clinical team and fully UK-based patient support team are always happy to help.

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