# Schengenattest: taking medicines on your trip

Get a pharmacy certificate before travelling with certain medicines. Check destination rules, quantities, dates and documents for the whole journey.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/schengenattest-medisiner-reise
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-10-04T15:37:23.236+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-04T15:37:23.286923+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- One certificate per relevant medicine The pharmacy issues Schengenattest and can charge a fee.
- Up to 30 days’ supply Check both the travel period and quantity against the dosage as of 3 October 2026.
- The destination decides requirements Check each country’s rules; the certificate is not universal permission to import medicines.

Schengenattest documents that certain medicines belong to you and are for your own treatment. You obtain the certificate from a pharmacy. Check your destination's rules first, because the certificate covers specific medicines and a limited period.

## Which medicines need Schengenattest?

The certificate covers medicines with narcotic active substances. These can include strong painkillers, certain sleeping medicines, sedatives or stimulants.

An active substance is the substance that gives a medicine its effect. The brand name on the package is not always enough when asking about travel rules. Find the active substance, strength and dosage on your medication list or ask the pharmacy.

Direktoratet for medisinske produkter, DMP, is the Norwegian Medical Products Agency, which provides Norwegian guidance on medicines during travel. DMP recommends Schengenattest when taking relevant medicines to other Schengen countries. Some countries require it for specific medicines.

A Norwegian prescription does not automatically allow you to bring a medicine into another country. Countries can have different lists of substances and different requirements. The [guide to pharmacies and prescriptions in Norway](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/apotek-og-resept-norge) explains how to find prescription information and get guidance.

## Does the certificate apply in your destination?

The certificate is used within Schengen cooperation, but the destination's own rules determine what you may bring. Schengen is a European agreement covering matters including border checks.

Write down your whole itinerary before contacting the pharmacy. Include countries where you will stay, and clarify the rules for stopovers too. A certificate for one part of the trip does not necessarily meet requirements for the rest.

**As of 3 October 2026, DMP states that Schengenattest is not valid for travel to the United Kingdom.** Do not treat “Europe” as one set of rules. A destination can be in Europe without using this certificate.

Contact the country's embassy or relevant authority with a specific medication list. Ask about classification, permitted quantities, documentation and any permission required before entry. DMP does not have a complete overview of every country's rules.

The Norwegian starting point is in [DMP's guidance on Schengenattest](https://www.dmp.no/tilvirkning-import-og-salg/apotekdrift/schengen-attest). Confirmation from the destination matters if you are unsure whether the certificate is sufficient.

## How to obtain the certificate from a pharmacy

All Norwegian pharmacies are authorised to issue Schengenattest. The pharmacy checks the information and signs the document.

The scheme is described for people with a registered address in Norway. If you do not have one, clarify the correct documentation with the pharmacy and destination. Do not assume that purchasing a medicine in Norway alone gives the same basis for a certificate.

Prepare your visit as follows:

1. Provide the destination and travel dates.
2. Bring information about the medicine, dosage and prescription.
3. Clarify which documents the pharmacy needs to check identity and ownership.
4. Request one certificate for each relevant medicine.
5. Check the information and take the original certificate with you.

The pharmacy can use a prescription or its dispensing history as the basis. If the prescription is unavailable, information on the original packaging can be used under certain conditions. The pharmacy must be able to document that the certificate is for the actual owner of the medicine.

You can fill in information on the form, but the pharmacy must check it. A doctor's signature is not required on Schengenattest itself. The pharmacy can charge a fee, so ask about price and preparation time before visiting.

## How do you check quantity and dates?

**As of 3 October 2026, the certificate covers up to 30 days and up to 30 days' supply.** Both the period and the quantity must match the stated dosage.

Check the dates on the original. Compare the medicine name, active substance and strength with the package you will actually bring. If treatment has changed since the certificate was issued, ask the pharmacy whether the document needs changing.

| What you check | What should match |
|---|---|
| Personal details | The certificate is for you and your medicine |
| Medication details | The correct active substance, strength and package |
| Period | Dates cover the relevant journey |
| Quantity | The quantity matches dosage and the permitted supply |

**Example:** Your trip lasts three weeks, but your package at home contains more than you need. Ask the pharmacy how to take the correct amount while keeping clear documentation. A large package does not automatically permit bringing all its contents.

## What if the trip lasts more than 30 days?

A standard Schengenattest does not automatically cover a longer stay. Clarify with your destination's authorities which quantities and documents they allow.

A doctor's letter may be relevant, preferably in a language the country understands. However, the letter alone does not prove that the country permits that quantity. Check whether you need special permission or another solution for ongoing treatment.

DMP distinguishes leaving Norway from entering another country. Norwegian rules on departure therefore cannot provide the only answer. [DMP's guidance on taking medicines out of Norway](https://www.dmp.no/tilvirkning-import-og-salg/import-av-legemidler-til-personlig-bruk/legemidler-pa-reise-ut-av-norge) explains the difference.

Plan your return journey too. Rules for entering Norway are a separate issue, particularly for narcotic medicines. Do not buy extra medicines abroad without checking what you may bring back.

## How do you pack medicines and documents?

Keep medicines in your hand luggage, preferably in their original packaging. This keeps them under your control during travel and helps show their contents.

Bring the original certificate, an up-to-date medication list and any other documentation the destination requires. The list should include active substance names and dosage. This is useful if you lose the medicine or need treatment during the trip.

Follow the temperature, light and humidity requirements in the package leaflet. Ask the pharmacy about storage in a hot climate or when cooling is needed. The certificate concerns documentation, not whether the medicine can withstand all travel conditions.

You cannot expect a foreign pharmacy to read Norwegian electronic prescriptions. [Helsenorge's advice on medicines during travel](https://www.helsenorge.no/medisiner/medisiner-pa-reise/) therefore recommends planning your medication supply before departure.

## Checklist before departure

Clarify the destination, medicine, quantity and dates before packing. Check that the certificate and medicine describe the same treatment.

Ask the pharmacy to explain unclear fields while you are still in Norway. Keep your doctor's and pharmacy's contact details separately from your luggage. If you lose medicines, you should be able to state what you take without relying on the package.

Use [SamfunnPrep's practical tools](https://samfunnprep.no/en/verktoy) for other preparations. For medicines, the specific order is: the destination's rules, the pharmacy's certificate, a quantity check and safe packing.

## FAQ

### Do all medicines need Schengenattest?

No. It covers medicines with narcotic active substances. The destination decides which substances and documents its rules cover.

### How long is the certificate valid?

As of 3 October 2026, it covers up to 30 days and a quantity corresponding to up to 30 days’ supply.

### Must the doctor sign Schengenattest?

No. The pharmacy checks the information and signs it. A separate doctor’s letter may still be required under the destination’s rules.

### Does the certificate apply in the United Kingdom?

No. Schengenattest is not valid for travel to the United Kingdom. Clarify British requirements with the country’s authorities.

## Sources

- [Schengen-attest for legemidler på utenlandsreise - Direktoratet for medisinske produkter](https://www.dmp.no/tilvirkning-import-og-salg/apotekdrift/schengen-attest)
- [Legemidler på reise ut av Norge - Direktoratet for medisinske produkter](https://www.dmp.no/tilvirkning-import-og-salg/import-av-legemidler-til-personlig-bruk/legemidler-pa-reise-ut-av-norge)
- [Medisiner på utenlandsreise - Helsenorge](https://www.helsenorge.no/medisiner/medisiner-pa-reise/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Schengenattest: taking medicines on your trip", SamfunnPrep, 2026-10-04T15:37:23.236+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/schengenattest-medisiner-reise