Kratom legality: A comprehensive guide on the legality of kratom in Europe, a continent marked by its intricate legal landscape. As we delve into the status of kratom across European countries, it’s essential to navigate the complex web of regulations governing substances on this continent.

In Europe, the legal status of substances is diverse, reflecting the intricate tapestry of laws from country to country. To understand the legal framework, it’s crucial to grasp three key terms.

• Unregulated Substances (Legal)
  These are substances that lack specific legal restrictions or regulations, allowing for their possession and use without legal consequences. However, the absence of regulation doesn’t imply safety or endorsement. 
• Controlled Substances (Not criminalized for personal use or On subscription)
  Referring to drugs under regulatory control, these substances are subject to specific rules and restrictions due to their potential for abuse or dependence. Controlled substances often have authorized uses, such as medicinal applications, but are governed by strict regulations. 
• Prohibited Substances (Illegal)
  In contrast, prohibited substances are expressly forbidden by law. Possession, use, or distribution of these substances is illegal, and penalties can be severe.

This page serves as a guide to navigating the nuanced kratom legality in Europe. Given the dynamic nature of legislative changes, we commit to updating this document annually to provide the most accurate and current information. Join us on this exploration of the legal intricacies surrounding kratom in the diverse legal landscape of Europe.

Kratom legal status by European country

Find the legal status of kratom by European country in the map image below. Below the image you will also find a detailed description of kratom legality by country.

If you feel that our register on kratom legality is incomplete, we would appreciate it if you would send us an e-mail to: contact@eka.eu

Albania (Shqipëria): unregulated

Kratom is currently not a controlled substance in Albania; thus, it is legal.

Andorra: no information

There is no information available yet about the kratom legality in Andorra.

Austria (Österreich): unregulated

Kratom is currently not a controlled substance in Austria; thus, it is legal.

Belarus (Беларусь): unregulated

Kratom itself is included in the list of prohibited narcotic drugs and psychoactive substances, and thus it is illegal. (National list of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, subject to State control in the Republic of Belarus, Decree No. 26 of 28 May 2003). (https://pravo.by/document/? guid=12551&p0=W21529651&p1=1).

Belgium (België/Belgique): illegal

Kratom is currently prohibited as of 1st of June 2024 in Belgium; thus, it is illegal.
(https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/eli/arrete/2017/09/06/2017031231/justel

https://www.famhp.be/sites/default/files/content/INSP/NARC/annex%20IV_non%20official%20version.pdf )

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosna i Hercegovina): unregulated

Kratom is currently not a controlled substance in Bosnia and Herzegovina; thus, it is legal.

Bulgaria (България): illegal

Kratom itself has been banned since 2011 in Bulgaria by the Regulation on classification of plants and substances as narcotics. (https://www.mh.government.bg/media/filer_public/2015/06/19/naredba-red-za-klasifitsirane-na-rasteniyata-i-veshtestvata-

kato-narkotichni-08-11-2013.pdf).

Croatia (Hrvatska): illegal

Kratom itself and its other main component mitragynine are included in the list of drugs, substances, psychotropic substances, and plants used for making drugs (Decree 293/2011 – Regulation on classification of plants and substances as narcotics). Using drugs for personal use only is, however, not a criminal act in Croatia but instead is treated as a misdemeanor that can lead to a financial penalty.

(https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2019_02_13_259.html)

Cyprus (Κύπρος/Kıbrıs): illegal

Kratom is illegal in Cyprus since April 2021.

Czech Republic (Česká republika): legal

Kratom is currently in the process of being regulated in the Czech Republic, but it is legal.

Denmark (Danmark): controlled substance / illegal

Kratom and its main components, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are classified as controlled substances in Denmark, and thus their sale, importation, possession and use are prohibited (Executive Order 174 amending Act on Euphoric Substances). The Danish Medicine Agency can authorize a permission for persons, companies, laboratories and institutions in special circumstances. (https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2009/174)

Estonia (Eesti): illegal

Kratom itself and its other main component, 7-hydroxymitragynine, are included in the list of prohibited narcotics and psychotropic substances in Estonia and thus are illegal.

(https://www.riigiteataja.ee/aktilisa/1050/6201/5006/SOM_m28_lisa.pdf)

Finland (Suomi): controlled substance

Kratom itself is classified as a psychoactive substance by the Decree on prohibited psychoactive substances on the consumer market (1130/2014). Therefore, in accordance with article 44 of the criminal code, it is prohibited to import, store, or sell kratom in Finaland. Possession and use, however, are not punished acts.(https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2014/20141130)

France: illegal

Kratom and its main components mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are included in the list of psychotropic substances and thus are illegal in France (Arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances psychotropes, Annex).(https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000000533087/)

Germany (Deutschland): legal

Kratom is legal in Germany as long as the labeling of the products mentions that it is not to be used for human consumption. Not listed in the German Narcotics Act (BtMG) nor under special control in the Medicinal Products Act (AMG) and links (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/BJNR106810981.html https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amg_1976/BJNR024480976.html)

Greece (Ελλάδα): unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in Greece; thus, it is legal.

Hungary (Magyarország): unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in Hungary; thus, it is legal.

Iceland (Ísland): illegal

Kratom itself is a controlled substance and thus it cannot be imported, sold, possessed or used in Iceland in accordance with the Amendment of the the Act 93/1994.(https://www.lyfjastofnun.is/media/voruflokkun/Listi_til_birtingar_a_ve f_jurtir.pdf)

Ireland: illegal

The main components of kratom (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) are prohibited in Ireland under the Statury Instrument 173/2017 on the Misuse of Drugs.(https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/173/made/en/print)

Italy (Italia): illegal

Kratom itself and its other main component mitragynine are currently enlisted in Italy under the Table of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and therefore are currently illegal. (https://www.trovanorme.salute.gov.it/norme/dettaglioAtto? id=55669)

Kosovo (Kosova): unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in Kosovo; thus, it is legal.

Latvia (Latvija): illegal

Kratom and its main component mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are is classified as psychoactive substances by Regulation 847 Regarding Narcotic Substances, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors to beControlled, and thus are currently prohibited in Latvia. (https://www.vvc.gov.lv/en/laws-and-regulations-republic-latvia-english/cab-reg-no-847-regulations-regarding-narcotic-substances-psychotropic-substances-and-precursors-be-controlled-latvia-amendments-10102017utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F)

Liechtenstein: no information

There is no information available yet about the kratom legality in Liechtenstein.

Lithuania (Lietuva): illegal

Kratom itself and extract of kratom are included in the List of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and thus are currently prohibited in Lithuania. (https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalActEditions/lt/TAD/TAIS.94030)

Luxembourg (Lëtzebuerg/Luxemburg): illegal

Kratom and its main components mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are classified as psychotropic substances, and are currently prohibited in Luxembourg.

(https://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/rgd/2012/07/21/n7/jo)

Malta: unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in Malta; thus, it is legal.

Moldova: illegal

Kratom itself is included in Table II of Narcotic substances and psychotropic substances not used for medical purposes, and therefore it is prohibited in Moldova. (https://www.legis.md/cautare/getResults? doc_id=20755&lang=ro)

Monaco: no information

There is no information available yet about the kratom legality in Monaco.

Montenegro (Црна Гора): unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in Montenegro; thus, it is legal.

Netherlands (Nederland): unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in the Netherlands; thus, it is legal.

North Macedonia (Северна Македонија): unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in North Macedonia; thus, it is legal.

Norway (Norge): controlled substance / illegal

Kratom and its main components mitragynine and 7-hydroxyKratom itself is a controlled substance in accordance with the Regulation on drug classification, and it is a criminal offense to import, export, sell, purchase, distribute, possess, produce, or process kratom in Norway. However, doctors are allowed to describe kratom as a medicine in special occasions. (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SFO/forskrift/1999-12-27-1565)

Poland (Polska): illegal

Kratom is enlisted in Annex 1 of the Act on counteracting drug addiction under prohibited narcotic drugs and therefore it is illegal in Poland. https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20180001591/ O/D20181591.pdf

Portugal: controlled substance

Kratom and its main components mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are listed as prohibited psychoactive substances in accordance with Ordinance 154/2013, and thus selling or importing them is illegal in Portugal. However, possession is not criminalized.(https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/portaria/154-2013-260421)

Romania (România): illegal

Kratom itself has been prohibited since 2010 in Romania by the Emergency Order n6 of February 2010 amending the Law 143/2000.

(https://legislatie.just.ro/Public/DetaliiDocument/116209)

Russia (Россия): illegal

The main components of kratom (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) have been illegal in Russia since 2011, by Decree 822/201.

San Marino: no information

There is no information available yet about the kratom legality in San Marino.

Serbia (Србија): illegal

Kratom itself has been included in the list of banned drugs in Serbia since 2022, and therefore it is illegal.
(https://pravno-informacioni-sistem.rs/SlGlasnikPortal/eli/rep/sgrs/ministarstva/pravilnik/2022/73/1)

Slovakia (Slovensko): illegal

Kratom itself is enlisted as a prohibited psychotropic substance in the Act on Narcotic Substances, Psychotropic Substances and Preparations Act 139/1998, and therefore it is illegal in Slovakia. (https://www.epi.sk/zz/1998-139)

Slovenia (Slovenija): illegal

Kratom itself is enlisted as a psychoactive substance by the Regulation on the classification on illicit drugs, and therefore it is illegal in Slovenia. (https://www.epi.sk/zz/1998-139)

Spain (España): unregulated

Kratom is not currently a controlled substance in Spain; thus, it is legal.

Sweden (Sverige): controlled substance

The main component of kratom (mitragynine) is mentioned in the Regulation 1992:155 and it is classified as a psychoactive substance. Thus, it is illegal to produce or prepare the product for human consumption in Sweden. The consumption itself is also forbidden. However, kratom can be imported and sold for soap making.(https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/forordning-19921554-om-kontroll-av-narkotika_sfs-1992-1554/)

Switzerland (Schweiz/Suisse): illegal

Kratom has been banned since 2017 by the Narcotics Act, Appendix, and therefore it is illegal in Switzerland. (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/)

Turkey (Türkiye): illegal

Kratom and its components is included in the list of psychoactive substances by the Decree 2013/5742, and thus it has been illegal in Turkey since 2014. (https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2014/01/20140125-3-1.pdf)

Ukraine (Україна): illegal

Kratom is illegal in Ukraine as of November 15, 2024. The Cabinet of Ukraine has amended the list of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors through Decree No. 1306. Leaves (chopped or whole) of the plant Mitragyna speciosa (kratom, ketum, biak) are included in this list.

United Kingdom (UK): illegal

With the entry into force of the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act, Kratom became banned in the United Kingdom (UK). (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents/enacted)