Guide March 2026 · 7 min read

Medications when travelling: what you need to know before takeoff

Suitcase packed, boarding pass ready — but what about your medications? Are they allowed in your hand luggage? Do you need a medical certificate? What happens with a 6-hour time difference? And what if customs in your holiday country asks questions? With the right preparation, most problems are avoidable.

Rule number 1: medications belong in your hand luggage

1
Checked luggage can get lost. On long-haul flights or connecting flights, this happens more often than you'd think. Without your medications, you arrive at your destination with no supply.
2
Extreme temperatures in the cargo hold. Insulin and other temperature-sensitive medications can lose their effect — frost in the cargo hold is not uncommon.
3
Access during the flight. On a 10-hour flight you may need to take medication — you cannot get to the suitcase in the cargo hold.
Pro tip: split across two places Split your medications between your hand luggage and your checked suitcase. If one gets lost, you still have a supply — take at least 50 % more than you need for the length of the trip.

Checklist: what you should sort out BEFORE the trip

Preparation at home

  • Enough supply: length of trip + a 50 % buffer. This factors in delays and return-trip delays.
  • Original packaging: leave all medications in their original packaging with the package leaflet — it makes customs checks easier and you have the dosing instructions to hand.
  • Medical certificate: for prescription medications — in German and English. Content: name, active ingredient, dose, diagnosis, necessity.
  • BfArM certificate: for narcotics (strong opioids, methylphenidate/Ritalin) — apply at least 4 weeks before departure. Must be signed by a doctor AND the public health officer (Amtsarzt).
  • Discuss the time difference: with more than 2 hours' time difference, clarify the dosing schedule with your doctor.
  • Cold chain: get a cool bag and cold packs. Make sure there is a way to keep things cool at the hotel. Ask the airline in advance about cooling options on board.

Time difference: when do I take my medications?

The rule of thumb: go by the interval between two doses — not by the clock time. And: during the flight keep taking them on home time. Only change the clock once you arrive.

✈ →
Travelling west
USA, South America — the day gets longer

You have more than 24 hours on that day. For New York: 30 hours instead of 24.

Flexible medications (blood-pressure-lowering drugs, simvastatin): take on the day of arrival at local time — normal rhythm from then on.

Time-critical medications (levothyroxine, insulin): an interim dose may be needed — discuss it with your doctor.

The pill: protection remains as long as the next pill comes no later than 36 hours after the last one.

→ ✈
Travelling east
Asia, Australia — the day gets shorter

Your day has less than 24 hours. The risk: too much in too short a time.

Flexible medications: take on the day of arrival at local time. No problem.

Time-critical medications: you may need to reduce or skip a dose — be sure to discuss it with your doctor.

The pill: unproblematic — take it at the usual local time at your destination. When in doubt, use a condom as well for 7 days.

Hand luggage rules for medications on the plane

Type of medicationAllowed in hand luggage?Particulars
Tablets & capsules ✓ Unrestricted In a reasonable quantity. Original packaging recommended.
Liquid medications ⚠ With restrictions Not needed during the flight: max. 100 ml in the plastic bag. Needed during the flight: exempt from the 100 ml rule, a certificate is required.
Syringes & needles (insulin pen) ⚠ With a certificate A medical certificate is mandatory. Needles with a protective cap. Present separately at the security check.
Medications needing refrigeration ✓ With a cool bag A cool bag + cold packs are allowed where medically necessary. Inform the airline in advance.
Narcotics ⚠ BfArM certificate A special form is required, from a doctor + the public health officer. Within the EU/Schengen: max. 30 days.

Special cases: narcotics and critical countries

⚠ Caution, Arab states and Asia: contact the embassy in advance! In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and other countries, even common medications such as codeine, tramadol or certain sleeping pills can lead to criminal problems — even though they are freely available in Germany. Always check in advance with the embassy of the destination country and take a certified document in the local language.
The BfArM certificate: how it works Within the EU/Schengen: a form from the BfArM (the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices), signed by a doctor + the state authority — valid for max. 30 days. Outside the EU/Schengen: country-specific rules. Apply at least 4 weeks before departure. The certificate itself is free; some public health offices charge a small fee for the certification.

Travel checklist at a glance

Before the trip

  • Enough supply (+ 50 %)
  • Medical certificate (DE + EN)
  • BfArM certificate (if needed)
  • Discuss the time difference with your doctor
  • Clarify cooling options at the destination

In your hand luggage

  • Medications in their original packaging
  • Certificates + copies of prescriptions
  • Cool bag (if needed)
  • Digital medication plan on your smartphone

Common questions

Yes, without restriction. Ibuprofen is not prescription-only and may be carried in a reasonable quantity in your hand luggage. Original packaging recommended.
For travel within the EU: recommended, but not mandatory. For travel outside the EU: strongly recommended. A certificate in English with the active-ingredient names avoids problems at customs.
Travelling west: no problem, as long as the next pill is taken within 36 hours. Travelling east: also unproblematic — take it at the usual local time at your destination. When in doubt: use a condom as well for 7 days.
In your hand luggage, in a cool bag with cold packs. Take a medical certificate. Insulin must NOT be transported in the cargo hold — freezing temperatures destroy it. At your destination, store it in the fridge (do not freeze).
In theory yes, but in practice often difficult: different brand names, different doses, language barriers, and prescription medications need a local prescription. Better: take enough with you.
The certificate itself is free. But you need an appointment with the public health officer for certification — some public health offices charge a small fee. Apply at least 4 weeks before departure.

Have your medication plan with you for the trip

With the digital brite medication plan you have all active ingredients and doses on your smartphone — for customs, the emergency doctor abroad, or when you need a new medication on the spot.

Create one for free
Medical disclaimer: This page does not replace medical advice. Always discuss your medication supply when travelling with your doctor — especially with a time difference, medications needing refrigeration, and narcotics. As of: March 2026.