BRITS have been warned to take extra care when travelling with medication.
Many countries, particularly the ones in the EU’s Schengen area, have strict restrictions on common UK medications – despite millions of us using them.
Here are some of the countries you need to be aware of when travelling abroad with any medical items – which could lead to imprisonment.
Spain
In Spain, you’ll need a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s letter if you are travelling with a controlled drug.
The Schengen Area classifies any narcotics as a controlled substance, which means medications including methadone are subject to limits.
Medications like ADHD drugs, strong pain killers like Vicodin or Oxycontin and some anxiety medications are all considered controlled substances.
You’ll be limited to a maximum of a three months’ supply of any medication, with trips longer than this requiring you to have a licence.
If your medication contains narcotic or psychotropic substances they are also likely to be banned.
The border between the UK and Spain is tight, so you’ll need to show proof that you are able to use your medicine when entering both countries.
France
France operates very similar rules to Spain, as both are EU countries.
Medicines must belong to you, but most personal drugs are exempt from authorisation.
Again, travellers are allowed a three-month supply and will have to provide a doctor’s prescription if necessary.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”How elite Border Force cops & their trusty dog Flash foiled plot to smuggle £58m-worth of cocaine into Britain” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6370305511112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Greece
Anything containing opiates is banned in Greece as they’re considered a controlled substance.
This means medicines such as Codeine, Morphine and Oxycodone aren’t allowed into the country.
Anxiety medication and ADHD pills are also listed as banned medications.
Certain antidepressants will also require a prescription and justification to be allowed across the border.
Germany
Germany limits travellers to a three months’ supply of their medicine too, but can even deny the entry of health supplements, vitamins and natural medicines to the country.
Some opioids and stimulants are also highly likely to be a problem to authorities.
Portugal
Portugal also allows the entry of prescription medicines for personal use, as long as they are your own drugs and not a friend or family members’.
Turkey
Turkey operates much stricter rules than most.
They have an extensive list of banned substances and some, including methadone and medical cannabis, will need to be declared at customs.
Non European laws
Outside of Europe, a number of nations have tight rules around travelling with medication.
In Egypt, one drug that could get you into big trouble is Tramadol.
The medication is banned from being taken into the country with a doctor’s note being essential if you need to take it.
People have been caught out before, with Brit Laura Plummer being jailed in 2017 after she had 300 Tramadol pills in her suitcase.
She claimed she didn’t realise it was banned but was still heavily punished.
Asia has also several countries which impose strict medication bans.
Sudafed and Vicks are both banned in Japan for containing pseudoephedrine.
In Singapore you need a medical note for anti-anxiety medication, sleeping pills and strong painkillers.
Similar rules apply in Indonesia, where codeine, ADHD pills and some sleeping medication are all illegal.
How to check what is allowed?
You can check which medications you can take in and out of the UK here.
The UK government also recommends checking with the relevant embassies before travelling to make sure that you don’t break any rules.
You can find the full list for embassy contacts here.
British prescriptions are not accepted at international pharmacies, so you’ll need to take enough medicine with you for your entire trip.
Ensure that you take your prescription and doctor’s letter wherever you are travelling.
Consider having the doctor’s letter translated into your destination’s language to make the journey easier.
The strict rules are designed to keep travellers safe and to prevent drug tourism.
In 2024, Spanish authorities uncovered almost £21 million in illegal party drugs at popular hotspots in Ibiza and Malaga.
Arrests can lead to lengthy prison sentences, if you are suspected of supplying drugs.
[boxout headline=”Can you take medication in your hand luggage?”]WHEN you’re travelling overseas, it’s important that you get all the packing done properly.
If you require medication, you may be curious about whether you can bring it along on your flight.
The short answer is yes – it is recommended that you put any medication in your hand luggage.
The main reason being that if the luggage in the hold gets lost, you would still have your medicine to hand.
Before travelling, you should check the airline’s regulations, but most of them will allow it.
Make sure to pack your medicines and any equipment such as needles, syringes, and others in their original and correctly labelled packages.
You should also carry the prescription from your doctor, just in case you are questioned about the medication.
Before packing your medication make sure that the expiry date will be valid for as long as you’re abroad and also check how it needs to be stored.
And be sure to check that your drugs are not banned in the country you are travelling to.