Pick your medicine and where you’re going. We’ll tell you the rules for bringing it in, the documents you need — including whether a Schengen certificate is required — and, if you need one, get you a valid prescription or doctor’s travel letter online.
Choose a medicine and a country to see the rules.
Within Europe you can usually carry prescription medicine for personal use, with your prescription. The exceptions are controlled medicines — strong painkillers, ADHD medication, benzodiazepines, sleep medication and opioid substitution treatment — which in the Schengen area need an Article 75 certificate from your home country, and at some destinations prior authorisation. Everyday medicines such as antibiotics, blood-pressure treatment and the contraceptive pill travel freely with a prescription. Pick your medicine and destination above for the specific rule.
Select your medicine and destination for an instant summary of what you can bring and the paperwork you need.
Need a doctor’s travel letter or a Schengen-certificate-supporting letter? A MobiDoctor clinician can issue one online.
Run low or lose your medicine abroad? Get a valid prescription or holiday supply without finding a local clinic.
General categories. Use the checker above for country-specific documentation.
| Everyday prescription medicines | |
| Statin (atorvastatin, simvastatin) | Usually fine with your prescription Not a controlled drug. |
| Blood-pressure medicine (ramipril, amlodipine) | Usually fine with your prescription Not a controlled drug. |
| Metformin (type-2 diabetes) | Usually fine with your prescription Not a controlled drug. |
| Levothyroxine (thyroid) | Usually fine with your prescription Not a controlled drug. |
| Omeprazole / PPI (reflux) | Usually fine with your prescription Not a controlled drug. |
| Contraceptive pill / HRT | Usually fine with your prescription Not a controlled drug. |
| Antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin) | Usually fine with your prescription Not a controlled drug. |
| Antidepressant / SSRI (sertraline, fluoxetine) | Usually fine with your prescription Not controlled, but carry your prescription. |
| Injectables | |
| Insulin (diabetes) | Usually fine with your prescription Not controlled — but you carry needles. |
| Weight-loss injection (semaglutide, Wegovy/Ozempic) | Usually fine with your prescription Prescription medicine with needles; keep cool. |
| Adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) | Usually fine with your prescription Carry two, plus your prescription. |
| Strong painkillers (opioids) | |
| Codeine (incl. co-codamol) | Controlled A controlled opioid in most of Europe. |
| Tramadol | Controlled Controlled in most European countries. |
| Morphine / oxycodone / fentanyl | Controlled Strong controlled opioid — the strictest category. |
| ADHD medicines | |
| Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) | Controlled A controlled stimulant. |
| Lisdexamfetamine / dexamfetamine (Elvanse) | Controlled A controlled amphetamine-class stimulant. |
| Anxiety & sleep | |
| Diazepam / benzodiazepine | Controlled A controlled psychotropic. |
| Zopiclone / zolpidem (sleep) | Controlled A controlled psychotropic. |
| Men's health & hormones | |
| Sildenafil / tadalafil (Viagra, Cialis) | Usually fine with your prescription Prescription, but not a controlled drug. |
| Testosterone (TRT) | Controlled An anabolic steroid — controlled in many countries, and injectable. |
| Cannabis & CBD | |
| Medical cannabis | Restricted Legal status varies enormously and many countries prohibit it. |
| CBD oil | Restricted Rules on THC content and sale vary by country. |
| Cold, allergy & other | |
| Pseudoephedrine decongestant (Sudafed) | Restricted Restricted or limited in several countries. |
| Everyday antihistamine / paracetamol / ibuprofen | Usually fine with your prescription Not controlled. |
Whatever you take, carry your medicine in its original, labelled packaging, keep it in your hand luggage, and bring a copy of your prescription. For a controlled medicine add a doctor’s letter stating the medicine, dose and that it’s prescribed to you — and, for travel within the Schengen area of up to 30 days, a Schengen certificate from your home country’s health authority. Carry only a sensible personal-use quantity (usually up to three months). Non-Schengen destinations — the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Türkiye — set their own import rules, so check the embassy for controlled medicines.
Yes — for ordinary prescription medicines (statins, blood-pressure tablets, the pill, antidepressants, inhalers) you can travel freely across Europe. Carry them in their original, labelled packaging, keep them in your hand luggage, and bring a copy of your prescription. Controlled medicines (strong painkillers, ADHD medication, sleeping tablets, testosterone) need extra documentation.
If you are carrying a controlled medicine (such as an opioid painkiller, ADHD stimulant, benzodiazepine or testosterone) and travelling within the Schengen area for up to 30 days, most countries require a Schengen certificate issued by your home country's health authority. It confirms the medicine is legitimately prescribed to you. Apply before you travel — it can take a few days.
Codeine and tramadol are controlled opioids in most of Europe. You can usually travel with them for personal use, but carry your prescription and a doctor's letter, and obtain a Schengen certificate for Schengen countries. A few countries are stricter, so check the destination's embassy if you're unsure.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamine-based ADHD medicines are controlled stimulants. Within Europe you can normally travel with a personal supply, carrying your prescription, a doctor's letter and — for Schengen countries — a Schengen certificate. Bring only the quantity you need for the trip.
Testosterone is classed as an anabolic steroid and is a controlled substance in many countries. Carry your prescription and a doctor's letter, obtain a Schengen certificate for Schengen countries, and keep it in original packaging. As it is usually injectable, the needle letter also helps at airport security.
Always carry: your medicine in original, labelled packaging; a copy of your prescription; and ideally a doctor's letter listing your medicines and doses. For controlled medicines add a Schengen certificate (Schengen countries) or check import rules for non-Schengen destinations such as the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Türkiye.
