Law and everyday life
Travelling with a cannabis prescription
For travel within the Schengen area there is one instrument: the certificate under Article 75 of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement. It shows that a narcotic you are carrying was prescribed to you by a doctor. It matters, and it is overrated — which is why this page also sets out what it cannot do.
Who issues it — different in each of the three countries
| Country | Who authenticates it | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | For Schengen states: a certificate under Article 75 of the Schengen Convention (SDÜ), issued by the doctor and authenticated by the supreme health authority of the federal state. | — |
| Austria | A certificate under Article 75 SDÜ, authenticated by the public health officer of the district administrative authority, valid for up to 30 days' supply. | — |
| Switzerland | A certificate under Article 75 SDÜ — in Switzerland the pharmacy authenticates it and a copy goes to the canton. | Art. 41–43 BetmKV, the form set out in annex 2, one certificate per preparation. Note: the ordinance says 30 days, the Swissmedic page says three months — we have not been able to resolve the discrepancy. |
The matrix: country of prescription × country of travel
The point no other German-language site covers: a certificate under Article 75 CISA evidences your prescription. It does not make lawful a preparation that cannot be prescribed at all in the destination country. Austria is exactly that case.
| From → to | Flower | Extracts, dronabinol, finished medicines |
|---|---|---|
| Germany → Austria | No. Austria does not permit cannabis preparations to be prescribed (§ 14 Z 3 SV), which rules out bringing in a supply. | For authorised finished medicines and isolated THC the position is different — clarify your particular case with the issuing authority before you travel. |
| Germany → Switzerland | Switzerland is part of the Schengen area; the certificate applies. Quantity and duration follow what the certificate states. | As for flower — one certificate per preparation. |
| Austria → Germany | Not relevant: in Austria there is no prescribed flower that could be taken along. | Possible with a certificate. Anyone who wants to be treated in Germany on a lasting basis needs a treating doctor there — an Austrian private prescription is no substitute. |
| Switzerland → EU | With a certificate, authenticated in Switzerland by the pharmacy, with a copy to the canton. | A separate certificate for each preparation. |
An open question we could not resolve. The Swiss Betäubungsmittelkontrollverordnung gives 30 days for the certificate; the Swissmedic information page speaks of three months. We have not been able to clear up the contradiction and therefore state it, rather than picking one of the two figures. If it matters for your trip, ask the issuing pharmacy.
Outside the Schengen area
There Article 75 CISA does not apply; the law of the destination country does — and that ranges from unproblematic to prison sentences. Do not rely on travel forums, and do not rely on this page: write to the embassy or consulate of the destination country before you book, and take the answer with you.
Read on
Law and everyday life · The three countries compared · Across the border: what works and what does not