The legality of kratom varies from one country to another within Europe, and this can make things complex, especially for travelers who plan to travel to different places. In this guide, you will learn about the legality of kratom in Europe by country and find out where it is banned, legal, or regulated.
According to EU law, Member States can introduce, in their territories, any national control measures they deem fit for new psychoactive substances such as kratom. Because of this, each European country has set its own rules, regulations, and classification of substances like kratom. Below are the three main classifications of kratom in Europe:
You will not face any problems using or traveling with kratom in countries where it is deemed legal. In countries where it is regulated, you must understand the legal conditions and adhere to them to avoid potential criminal or civil penalties for noncompliance. For countries where kratom is banned, you should understand what this means, as there can be severe punishments that come with violating the law.
To make it easy for you to scan through this, there are three tables, each representing the current classification.
Countries | Countries |
---|---|
Belarus | Added to the list of narcotic and psychotropic substances, thus, it is prohibited. |
Belgium | It has been illegal since June 2024. |
Bulgaria | Classified as a narcotic substance, it was banned in 2011. |
Croatia | Listed as a psychotropic substance and plant used for making drugs. Hence, it is banned. |
Cyprus | It’s classified as a psychoactive substance and banned since April 2021. |
Estonian | Added to the list of prohibited narcotic and psychotropic substances and thus is illegal |
Finland | It is illegal because it is classified as a psychotropic substance. However, its possession and use are not punishable acts. |
France | Banned in 2020 because it is classified as a psychotropic substance. |
Iceland | It has been illegal since 1994. |
Ireland | It has been illegal since 2017 due to its misuse. |
Italy | It is classified under narcotic and psychotropic substances, making it currently illegal. |
Latvia | Currently prohibited because it is classified as a psychotropic substance. |
Lithuania | It is listed as a narcotic substance and was banned in 2008. |
Luxemburg | Currently prohibited because it is listed as a psychotropic substance. |
Moldova | Illegal since 2010 because it is classified as a psychotropic substance. |
Poland | Listed as an addiction drug under prohibited narcotic substances. Banned since 2009. |
Portugal | It is illegal but not decriminalized for personal use. |
Romania | It has been banned since 2010. |
Russia | It has been illegal since 2011 under federal drug laws. |
Serbia | Included in the list of banned drugs since 2022. |
Switzerland | It became illegal in 2017 under the Narcotics Act. |
Turkey | Classified as a psychotropic substance and banned since 2014. |
United Kingdom | It became illegal in 2016 under the Psychoactive Substance Act. |
Countries | Notes |
---|---|
Denmark | Although prohibited, the Danish Medicine Agency can authorize permission in special circumstances. |
Germany | It is legal as long as there is a label that says “not for human consumption.” |
Norway | Its import and trade is prohibited, but you may use it if it's prescribed by a doctor. |
Sweden | It is classified as a psychoactive substance. It is only legal for specific uses such as soap making. |
Czech Republic | Although legal for now, it is in the process of being regulated. |
Countries | Notes |
---|---|
Austria | It is legal |
Albania | It is not a regulated substance, thus it is legal. |
Bosnia & Herzegovina | It is legal because it is currently not controlled. |
Greece | It is unregulated, which means it is legal. |
Hungary | It is legal because it is currently not controlled. |
Kosovo | It is unregulated and legal. |
Malta | It is legal because it is unregulated. |
Montenegro | It is currently not controlled by any local regulations, hence legal. |
Netherlands | It is fully legal and available for sale. |
North Macedonia | Currently legal, but future legislation might change its status. |
Spain | Fully legal and available for sale and purchase. |
Ukraine | Fully legal because it is not currently controlled. |
The legality of kratom across Europe is not uniform and is subject to change. Some countries have totally banned the use of the botanical, others have implemented restrictions, while others have kept it legal and free. If you are planning to travel to any European Member State, it is important to stay informed of local regulations or any changes to ensure compliance with the law. While the information here is current, kratom regulations in European countries can change at any time, either in favor of or against kratom.