Can you travel abroad with medical cannabis? Learn the UK rules, what documents you need, airport guidance and how Auravia can help international visitors to the UK.
Important: International travel rules can change and vary from country to country. Always check the current rules with the relevant country’s embassy or official government authority before travelling.
If you have been prescribed medical cannabis, you may wonder whether you can take it with you when travelling.
The answer is sometimes, but it depends on where you are travelling to and from. Medical cannabis is a prescription medicine in the UK, but cannabis and cannabis-based medicines are controlled differently around the world. A prescription that is legal in one country does not automatically mean you can take your medicine into another country.
Some countries have strict laws around cannabis, including medical cannabis. You may need permission before travelling, and in some places bringing cannabis into the country may not be allowed at all. This guide explains what you need to know about travelling with medical cannabis, including what the UK rules say, what documents you may need and what to do if you are visiting the UK from another country.
Before booking your trip, check the rules with:
This is particularly important because stopover countries can have their own laws.
For example, you may be travelling from the UK to a country where medical cannabis is permitted, but your flight may stop in another country with stricter cannabis laws. This can catch people out and have serious consequences.
It may be possible to fly with prescribed medical cannabis, but this depends on the laws of the countries involved. There are two separate issues to consider: Can you legally take the medicine out of the UK? Can you legally bring the medicine into your destination country?
You need to satisfy both. UK government guidance says that if you are taking controlled medicine out of the UK, you should carry proof that it has been prescribed to you. This can be a prescription or a letter from your doctor.
Airline rules may also apply. This is why checking the airline’s policy before travelling is sensible, particularly if you are carrying cannabis-based medicine in your hand luggage.
If you have a UK prescription for medical cannabis and want to take it abroad, you need to check the rules of the country you are visiting.
The UK government states that people travelling outside the UK with medicines containing controlled drugs should be able to prove that the medicine is theirs with a prescription and travel letter from their clinician. However, other countries have their own import rules for prescription medicines and controlled drugs. This means having a valid UK prescription does not automatically give you permission to enter another country with medical cannabis.
You may need:
Some countries may not allow cannabis-based medicines to be brought across their borders at all. For example, the UAE, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and China.
Use this checklist before your trip:
✔Start checking the rules well before your departure date.
✔ Check the laws of your destination country.
✔Check the rules for every country where you will transit.
✔Contact the relevant embassy if you are unsure.
✔ Check your airline’s policy.
✔ Ask your prescribing clinician for a travel letter.
✔Keep your medicine in its original packaging, with the prescription label attached.
✔Carry a paper copy of your prescription. You can also carry a digital one, but a paper copy is best.
✔Carry an additional doctor’s letter if recommended or required by your destination or stopover country.
✔Check how much medicine you are legally allowed to carry.
✔Do not assume that a UK prescription is valid in another country
If you are visiting the UK from overseas and cannot safely or legally bring your medicine with you, consider whether a UK specialist service such as Auravia’s International Travel Service may be appropriate.
If you rely on prescribed medical cannabis and are travelling to the UK, international travel can require extra planning.
You may be able to bring your existing medicine if you meet the relevant UK requirements. However, depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to arrange UK treatment instead.
Auravia Medical’s International Travel Service is designed to help overseas patients access prescribed medical cannabis while visiting the UK.
Simply submit your medical records, attend a virtual specialist consultation, recieve a prescription if appropriate, and your medicine is delivered to your UK accommodation. Auravia requires at least three weeks’ notice for international patients, so it is important to plan ahead. Find out more about Auravia’s International Travel Service here.
Possibly, but it depends on the country you are travelling to. You need to check its rules for importing controlled medicines before you travel. A UK prescription does not automatically give you permission to take medical cannabis into another country.
You may be able to fly with prescribed medical cannabis, but you must comply with the laws of the countries you are leaving, entering and transiting through, as well as any relevant airline requirements.
It depends on your destination. Some countries permit prescribed cannabis medicines in certain circumstances, while others have strict restrictions or bans. Always check the current rules before travelling.
Some airlines, cruise ships, and other destinations such as theme parks may not allow you to bring medical cannabis. It is advised to check beforehand and explain your situation.
You could face serious legal consequences even if the medicine is legally prescribed in the country where your journey started. Always check the rules of transit countries before travelling. If you cannot establish that your medicine is permitted, seek professional advice before departure.
Potentially. Auravia Medical offers an International Travel Service for overseas patients visiting the UK. Patients can arrange a virtual consultation before travelling, and if a specialist doctor considers medical cannabis clinically appropriate, the prescription can be fulfilled for delivery to a UK address.
International patients need to give at least three weeks’ notice for their prescription to be processed. This allows time for your virtual consultation, the MDT, and for any additional checks needed.
You should first check that you are allowed to do so, by both your home country and destination. You should carry evidence that the medicine was prescribed to you. UK government guidance recommends a letter containing your name, travel dates, medicine details, dosage, strength and prescribing clinician’s signature and professional details.
International visitors may be able to bring prescribed controlled medicines into the UK for personal use, subject to the applicable rules. UK government guidance states that non-UK residents can generally bring up to three months’ supply, with appropriate documentation.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace individual medical or legal advice. International laws relating to cannabis and controlled medicines can change. Always check the current requirements with the relevant government authority or embassy before travelling.
At Auravia Medical, we believe every patient deserves personalised, compassionate care. Our experienced clinicians have over 75+ years of combined experience, and they take time to understand your symptoms, review your medical history and discuss the treatment options that may be appropriate for your individual needs.
From your initial consultation through to ongoing follow-up appointments, our focus is on providing evidence-informed care, clear communication and support throughout your treatment journey. We also provide patients with:
