What medicines cannot be imported into the EU: a list of prohibited medications

Before travelling abroad, make sure that you have all the necessary documents for your medicines, especially if they are prescription or contain controlled substances. This is necessary because the EU controls the transport of medicines very carefully. In this article, you can find out which medicines are banned

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

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When planning a trip abroad, it is important not to forget your first aid kit. However, it is necessary to remember that different EU countries may have different requirements and restrictions on the import of medicines. To avoid unpleasant situations at the border, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the basic rules for transporting medicines from Ukraine to EU countries.

By the way, if you are traveling by car outside Ukraine, you must have a “Green Card” — international motor insurance. At Visit Ukraine, you can quickly apply for it online in just a few minutes. The policy covers damages in the event of an accident abroad and is a key requirement for crossing the border. Can you be denied entry to the EU if you don't have insurance — read more at the link.

General rules for transporting medicines

If you are carrying prescription drugs, be sure to bring a prescription in English or a certificate from your doctor confirming the need for these drugs. In addition, medicines containing narcotic substances are strictly controlled in most EU countries. Special permission and medical documents are required to transport them.

It should also be understood that the medicines being transported must be in reasonable doses intended for personal use, usually for a period of up to 30 days.

Do not forget that medicines in the form of sprays and liquids must be transported in their original packaging and comply with restrictions on the volume of liquid in hand luggage (no more than 100 ml).

In our previous articles, you can also read about:

● rules for carrying electronic cigarettes abroad, as well as how many regular cigarettes you can take out of Ukraine;

● how much alcohol you can carry across the border;

● what food items you cannot carry across the border;

● general customs rules — what you can import and export from Ukraine.

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What medicines are prohibited from being imported into the EU?

Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances are prohibited.

These include: Acetorphine; Bronchocin; Broncholitin; Bufotenin; Ephedrine; Insovin; Caffetin; Ketanov; Codterpine; Methoxytoin; Neo Theophylline; Nurofen Plus; Sedalgin; Solutan; Theophylline-N; Terpincod.

According to European rules, you can carry up to 20 tablets of each of these drugs in your first aid kit, along with the packaging, instructions, prescription, stamp, and doctor's signature.

At the same time, analgin is sold only by prescription in some countries, while in others it has been banned due to its side effects.

In addition, caution should be exercised with medications containing barbiturates (e.g., valocordin, barboval, corvalol, etc.) — they are banned in EU countries and many others. However, if you cannot stop taking these drugs, you must have a prescription from a doctor with the international name of the drug (in Latin) and the duration of treatment.

Tip: Travel always involves health risks, especially abroad. Therefore, it is worth having travel insurance that covers treatment, medical services, and assistance in unforeseen situations. At Visit Ukraine, you can take out insurance online and be confident in your safety.

Psychotropic substances

Other drugs may also cause problems at the border. Here are the drugs you should be careful with:

A - Allylpridone, Alfentanil, Alfameprodine, Alfametadol, Alfaprodine, Alfacetylmethadol, Anileridine, Acetyldihydrocodeine, Acetylmethadol

B - Bezitramide, Benzethidine, Betameprodine, Betamethadol, Betaprodine, Betacetylmethadol, Buprenorphine

H - Hydrocodone, Hydroxypetidine, Hydromorfinol, Hydromorphone

D - Dextromoramide, Dextropropoxyphene, Dihydrocodeine, Dihydromorphine, Dimenoxadol (Estocin), Dimeptheptanol, Dimethylthambutene, Dipipanone, Diphenoxylate, Diphenoxine, Diampride, Diethyltambutene, Dioxaphenbutazone

E - Ecgonine, Ethylmethylthambutene, Ethylmorphine, Ethyxeridine, Ethynitazene.

I - Isometadone

C - Clonitazene, Codeine, Codoxime, Cocaine

L - Levomethadone, Levomoramid, Levorphanol, Levofenacylmorphan

M - Methadone, Methadone intermediate, Metazocin, Methyldesorphine, Methyldihydromorphine, Metopon, Mirofin, Moramide intermediate, Morferidine, Morphine, Morphine metbromide, Morphine-N-oxide

N - Nicodicodine, Nicocodine, Nicomorphine, Norazmetadol, Norcodeine, Norlevorphanol, Normethadone, Normorphine, Norpipanon

O - Oxycodone, Oxymorphone

P - Pentazocine, Pethidine, Pethidine intermediate product A/B/C, Piminodine, Pyritramide, Proheptazine, Properidine, Propiam

R - Racemorphan, Racemoramide, Racemorphan, Remifentanil

S - Sufentanil

T - Thebaine, Thebacon, Tilidine, Tramadol, Trimeperidine

F - Phenadoxone, Phenazocine, Phenampride, Phenomorphan, Phenoperidine, Fentanyl, Folcodine, Furetidine

Problems may also arise at the border due to drugs that contain psychotropic substances. For example:

A - Alobarbital, Alprazolam, Aminorex, Amobarbital, Amfepramone

B - Barbital, Benzfetamine, Bromazepam, Brotyzolam, Butalbital, Butobarbital

V - Vinylbital

G - Galazepam, Galoxazolam

D - Delorazepam, Diazepam

E - Estazolam, Ethyl loflazepate, Ethylamphetamine, Ethinamate, Ethchlorvinol

Z - Zolpidem

K/C - Camazepam, Katyn, Ketazol, Klobazam, Kloksazol, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Clotiazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, Cyclobarbital

L - Lefetamine, Loprazo, Lorazepam, Lormetazepam

M - Mazindol, Medazepam, Mesocarb, Meprobamate, Methylphenobarbital, Metiprolon, Mefenorex, Midazolam

N - Nimetasepam, Nitrazepam, Nordozepam

O - Oxazepam, Oxazolam

P - Pemoline, Pentobarbital (sodium etaminal), Pinazepam, Pipradrol, Pirovaleron, Praziam

S - Secbutarbital

T - Temazepam, Tetrazepam, Tofisopam, Triazolam

F/P - Phenazepam, Fendimetrazine, Fencamfamine, Phenobarbital, Fenproporex, Phentermine, Fludiazepam, Flunitrazepam, Flurazepam

In addition, there may be problems at the border due to drugs containing precursors (substances used in the production of narcotics).

The full list of drugs can be found at the link.

Note that many over-the-counter drugs can be freely transported across EU borders. However, it is best to take a small basic first aid kit with you, including painkillers, cold remedies, and food poisoning remedies.

We remind you! Debts can be an obstacle to traveling abroad. Read about the cases in which you may be prohibited from crossing the border, how to check for restrictions, and what actions will help you avoid problems while traveling in 2025.

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