New rules for personal import of medicines to Denmark as of 1 January 2026

As of 1 January 2026, private individuals may legally import medicines to Denmark from any country. The medicine must have been sold legally, and you may only import medicines for personal use. The change does not apply to antibiotics, doping substances and medicines containing euphoriant substances.

It has until now been illegal for private individuals to import medicines to Denmark from non-EU/EEA countries. This rule is now changed, so that private individuals – with certain exceptions – may import medicines for personal use from anywhere in the world.

The rules are changed because the Danish Medicines Agency is no longer checking the import of medicines by private individuals. These import checks were ceased as part of the Danish state administration programme from 2024, which abolished 1,000 governmental full-time equivalents. The agency will also no longer review exemption applications from foreign nationals who need to bring medicines from their home country for longer stays in Denmark.

The new rules apply both to medicines bought during trips abroad and to medicines bought online that are imported to Denmark by post. It is required that the medicine is sold legally in the country it is bought. This applies to medicines bought online.

If you are not sure whether it is legal, we advise you not to buy the medicine to avoid running the risk of buying an unauthorised product that at worst could be dangerous to use. Read our advice about how to stay safe when shopping online on our website.

Special rules for antibiotics, euphoriant substances and doping agents

It is still prohibited to import large amounts of medicines for resale, and special rules apply to doping agents, antibiotics and medicines containing euphoriant substances.

You may import antibiotics from EU/EEA countries. Antibiotics from non-EU/EEA countries may only be imported by persons entering Denmark and only in amounts of up to three months’ use. It is not permitted to send antibiotics from non-EU/EEA countries by post to Denmark.

Medicines containing euphoriant substances may be imported into Denmark when entering the country in amounts of up to 30 days’ treatment, and you must have proof that the medicine is prescribed to you. You must never receive medicine containing euphoriant substances by post – whether from an EU/EEA country or from any other country.

You may import medicines containing doping substances for personal use and only if prescribed by a doctor. Medicines containing doping substances from EU/EEA countries may be imported by persons entering Denmark or sent by post. Doping agents from non-EU/EEA countries may only be imported by persons entering Denmark. You must have proof that the medicine has been prescribed to you, and you must only import amounts of up to 30 days’ treatment. You must not receive medicines containing doping substances sent to you from non-EU/EEA countries by post.

The changed rule applies to both medicines for human and animal use. Private individuals may therefore import medicines for animal use if the medicine is intended for preventing or treating illness in their own pets and provided it has been sold legally in the country it was bought.

Antibiotics for pets may only be imported from EU/EEA countries, and only if the antibiotic is not a prescription-only medicine. It is not permitted to import antibiotics for animal use from non-EU/EEA countries.

Read more:

Link to the page How to Import Medicine into Denmark - From January 1, 2026 (dkma.dk)

Link to executive order (in Danish only - Retsinformation.dk)

Link to “think before you buy” theme page (in Danish only - dkma.dk)