Last verified: April 2026
Schengen Certificate (EU/EEA Travel)
If you are traveling from another Schengen Area country (most of the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein), the process is governed by Article 75 of the Schengen Convention.
You need a Schengen Certificate issued by your home country’s designated national health authority. This certificate:
- Must be completed by your prescribing doctor and stamped by the designated national authority
- Covers a maximum of 30 days of travel
- Specifies the medication, dosage, and quantities you are carrying
- Must be carried with you along with the medication in its original pharmacy packaging
The designated authority varies by country — in the Netherlands it is the CIBG, in Italy the Ministry of Health, in the Czech Republic the State Institute for Drug Control. Your prescribing doctor or dispensing pharmacy should be able to direct you to the correct authority.
Multilingual Certificate (Non-Schengen Travel)
If you are traveling from a non-Schengen country — including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia — you need a multilingual medical certificate that serves a similar function to the Schengen Certificate but follows a different process.
This certificate should include:
- Your name and passport details
- Your prescribing doctor’s name, contact information, and credentials
- The specific medication, including strain name if applicable, THC/CBD content, and form (flower, oil, capsule)
- Prescribed dosage and the quantity you are carrying
- Travel dates and destination
- An official stamp or notarization where possible
Having this certificate translated into German is strongly recommended. A certified translation adds credibility if you are questioned at the border or by police.
Do not assume you can arrange medical cannabis travel documentation at the last minute. The Schengen Certificate process involves your doctor, a national health authority, and potentially a pharmacy. Non-Schengen certificates may need translation and notarization. Start the process at least a month before departure.
Practical Requirements
Regardless of which certificate you use, the following practical rules apply:
- Original pharmacy packaging: Cannabis must be in its original dispensary or pharmacy packaging with your name on the label. Loose flower in a bag, regardless of documentation, will create problems.
- Carry-on luggage: Transport your medical cannabis in your carry-on, not checked luggage. If questioned at security or customs, you need your documentation immediately accessible.
- 30-day supply maximum: The standard limit across both certificate types. Carrying more than a 30-day prescribed supply significantly increases the risk of detention and confiscation.
- No crossing into third countries: Your German entry does not authorize transit through other countries with your medication. If you have a layover in a non-legal country, you face that country’s drug laws during the transit.
Country-Specific Notes
| Origin Country | Certificate Type | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain | Schengen Certificate | Well-established process, national health authorities familiar with cannabis |
| United Kingdom | Multilingual Certificate | Post-Brexit, UK is non-Schengen. UK medical cannabis is legal but documentation for travel is relatively new |
| United States | Multilingual Certificate | Complicated by federal illegality. A state medical card may not be sufficient — a doctor’s letter on letterhead with full details is essential |
| Canada | Multilingual Certificate | Federal legality simplifies the documentation. Prescription records from LPs (Licensed Producers) are well-formatted for international travel |
| Australia | Multilingual Certificate | TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) prescriptions are well-documented. Australian medical cannabis patients report generally smooth border experiences |
The Bottom Line
Traveling to Germany with medical cannabis is possible and legal with proper documentation, but it requires advance planning that many patients underestimate. The Schengen Certificate for EU/EEA travelers is the most straightforward path. Non-Schengen travelers need more documentation and should allow extra preparation time. In all cases: original packaging, carry-on only, 30-day maximum, and all paperwork immediately accessible.
For the broader picture of Germany’s medical cannabis system, see our medical overview.
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org
Related on this site: Send a Message, Contact Us, About CannabisGermany.org.