Kratom is not listed as a hard or soft drug in the Netherlands, but there are things to pay attention to when coming into the country. For example, if you bring too much tobacco, cigarettes, or alcohol, you have to pay tax on it. Does this also apply to kratom? We’ll break down everything you need to know about kratom in the Netherlands to avoid trouble if there’s any at all.
Kratom is a Southeast Asian plant that has enjoyed recognition throughout the world for its potential to improve wellness. But just like other natural herbs, kratom can be abused if not used responsibly. For this reason, it can be completely legal and unregulated, legal with some regulations, or completely banned. Let’s focus on kratom in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is one of the countries in the world that has no regulations on kratom. This means it is not listed as a controlled substance, hence its possession, sale, and use are permitted.
The Dutch Opium Act (Opiumwet) regulates opioids and other narcotics, and determines what’s banned. Under this Act, they have the hard drug list and the soft drug list. As of September 2025, when this article was put together, kratom is not listed either as a hard or soft drug. So you are not legally restricted from possessing, selling, or using kratom in the country. This explains why it is available in smart shops, health food stores, and online.
But one thing you need to know is that since kratom is not regulated in the Netherlands, there are no specific safety or quality standards in place. This can be a major issue if you are buying in the country, as you can’t vouch for vendor reliability and product purity.
If you are a tourist coming to the Netherlands by air, road, or sea, the same rule applies to you. Kratom is legal and unregulated, so you won’t have any problem with customs. Again, you won’t pay any taxes as you would when you come in with too many tobacco, cigarettes, or alcohol. Below are a few things to bear in mind when coming to the Netherlands with kratom:
There are no singular laws that govern the use of kratom throughout Europe. Each country has the right to set its rules, which is why you need to verify before crossing from one European country to another with kratom. Below is a chart for kratom and its legal status in European countries.
Category / Countries
Legal and Unregulated
Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Hungary, Kosovo, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Spain, Netherlands
Illegal
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden (consumption banned), Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Controlled / Regulated
Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Portugal
Unknown / No Info
Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino
In some of the countries where kratom is currently illegal, it was once legal there. Also, it was once illegal in some of the countries where it’s currently legal. This tells you that kratom laws can change, and the countries around a country may influence the decisions of a government.
While kratom remains legal in the Netherlands, the only change we can hope for is its regulations. With regulations in place, we can be sure of the quality of kratom consumed in the country and limit the risks associated with contaminated or adulterated kratom products.
Since kratom is legal and unregulated in the Netherlands, you will find places to buy the herb. If you are still skeptical of bringing your own kratom with you, below are different kratom stores to visit in different cities in the Netherlands:
These are just a few kratom vendors in the Netherlands. You can find other kratom suppliers scattered in different cities and towns in the country.
Kratom is unregulated in the Netherlands, which means you can freely use it in the country without any legal consequences. The Dutch Opium Act doesn’t list kratom as a hard or soft drug, which are the two categories of controlled or banned substances.
Likewise, bringing kratom or taking it out of the country does not pose any threat. That said, there are numerous places to buy kratom across the country, but the lack of quality standards is something to worry about. If you decide to purchase your kratom in the Netherlands, make sure you vet the vendor by reading reviews if they have an online presence, or ask for the source of their products.
Better still, you can order online from reputable vendors and get it delivered to you, or come along with your kratom. Kratom remains unregulated as of now, but kratom laws can change pretty fast. Stay updated on any changes to avoid being a victim of ignorance in the future.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.