Brits warned of medications millions take that could get you arrested or fined on holiday
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.
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.
You’ll be limited to a maximum of a 3 months’ supply of any medication, with trips longer than this requiring you to have a licence.
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 operates very similar rules to Spain, as both are EU countries.
Medicines must belong to you, but most personal drugs are exempt from authorisation.
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.
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 operates much stricter rules, however.
They have an extensive list of banned substances and some, including methadone and medical cannabis, will need to be declared at customs.
British prescriptions are not accepted at pharmacies, so you’ll need to take enough medicine with you for your entire trip.
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.
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.