Travel Tuesday: Travelling to Italy with your prescribed medical cannabis

From the historic, cobbled streets of Venice, Florence, and Rome to the Lakes of the North and the sun-drenched beaches of the South, it’s easy to see why Italy attracts visitors in such high numbers. Planning your Italian itinerary can be equal parts fun and stressful, especially if you’re looking to cram in as many sights and delicious meals as possible while you’re away. 

But for those with a UK medical cannabis prescription, even more planning will be required to ensure your Italian getaway goes without a hitch. Thankfully, as is the case in many European countries, there is no reason your medical cannabis prescription should stop you from enjoying your trip to Italy. 

So, let’s have a look at the current guidance on travelling to and around Italy with your medical cannabis prescription.

Is medical cannabis legal in Italy?

When planning to take your medication abroad with you, first and foremost, you should check the legal status of medical cannabis in your destination country. The good news is that Italy legalised cannabis for medicinal reasons in 2013. In fact, recognition of the therapeutic effects of THC occurred even earlier, in 2007. In certain cases, the cost of medical cannabis treatment is covered by the healthcare system.

However, access to cannabis-based medicines is strictly regulated, with patients requiring a prescription from a doctor. 

This high level of regulation also extends to the importation of medical cannabis from other countries. 

The cultivation, distribution, importation and exportation of medical cannabis is subject to authorisation by the Ministry of Health’s Central Narcotics Office. Visitors must therefore seek authorisation from the Italian Ministry of Health when bringing medical cannabis into the country.

Receiving authorisation to travel with medical cannabis

In order to receive authorisation from the Ministry of Health, patients must be able to provide evidence that their cannabis-based medicines were obtained lawfully in the country they are travelling from.

According to current guidance, this should be in the form of a certificate issued by the patient’s clinician, which has been approved by the health authority in their country of residence. 

The certificate should include:

• Country and place of issue, date of issue, and period of validity (max 30 days). 

• Prescribing physician (first name, last name, address, licence number).

• Patient information (including full name, place of birth, date of birth, home address, passport or ID card number, and intended country of destination).

• Prescribed medical preparation (Name of drug or its composition, name and concentration of active substance, and duration of prescription in days).

• Signature/stamp from prescribing physician.

• Details of the issuing authority (name, address, official seal, and signature of the responsible officer. 

Patients will be required to carry this certificate with them for the duration of their stay. It is also recommended that patients carry a copy of their prescription. With the Releaf medical cannabis card, patients and other concerned parties can view prescription details by scanning the QR code.

Get a medical cannabis travel certificate at Releaf

All Releaf patients can request a free travel certificate that includes all the information laid out above (your name, date of birth, passport number, your travel dates and destination, flight details, your prescribed medication details, the prescribing doctor’s information, and Releaf’s contact details). 

Printed travel certificates are typically received within two to five working days of the travel date, but you can also request a digitally downloadable copy, which should be received within 24 hours. We recommend requesting as early as possible, while remembering that each certificate is only valid for the current prescription. So, when requesting a certificate, your intended date of travel should be no more than 28 days after your latest prescription shipping date, as prescriptions typically last 28 days. 

If you were to request a certificate outside of this timeframe, your prescription may not be ‘current’ by the time you travel. This could cause issues at customs and in your destination country. 

For more information on Releaf’s travel certificates, head to ‘How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis’. The full process is laid out step by step in this blog.

Taking your medical cannabis prescription abroad

Planning your trip to Italy might at this point feel a little overwhelming. It certainly requires planning in advance, but with the right documents in hand, and the peace of mind that comes with them, you are much more likely to enjoy your holiday. 

So, when preparing for your Italian getaway, remember to contact the Italian embassy - they will be able to assist you in gaining authorisation from the Italian authorities to travel with your medical cannabis prescription. 

Get in touch with Releaf to request a travel certificate with plenty of time to spare, and double-check that your prescription will be current for the duration of your trip. 

You may also wish to contact your airline to check their guidelines on travelling with controlled medicines. It is recommended that you keep your medication in your hand luggage, in its original packaging, alongside your printed copy of your prescription, travel certificate, and Releaf medical cannabis card, to ensure smooth sailing through airport security. 

Then, all that is left to do is work your way through your travel itinerary! 

Not a legally prescribed Releaf patient? Head to our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker - it takes less than 30 seconds to complete, and you'll find out if you potentially qualify for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK instantly.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general information purposes and should not be taken as legal advice. Medical cannabis regulations vary from country to country, and airlines may have their own guidelines. Be sure to check the latest guidance from the Italian Ministry of Health, your chosen airline, and your prescribing clinic before you travel.

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