Taking medicines on a plane
- · Updated on , by Miquell Hellings
- 6 min read
Taking medicines on a plane
Yes, in most cases you can take medicines on a plane. However, there are important exceptions where you need to arrange more in advance, especially for strictly controlled substances such as some strong painkillers, sleeping or sedative medicines, ADHD medication and medicinal cannabis.
Therefore, always check three things before you leave: where to pack your medicines, which documents you need and which rules apply at your destination. It is not only the medicine itself that matters, but also the country you are travelling to and how long you will be away.
Check first: does your medicine fall under the exceptions?
Regular medication can usually be taken on a flight without any problem, but additional rules apply to certain medicines. This is often the case for medicines covered by the Opium Act or otherwise strictly regulated. Examples include some strong painkillers, sleeping and sedative medicines, ADHD medication and medicinal cannabis.
Not sure? Do not rely on guesswork. Check with your doctor, pharmacy or an official medication check. Also consider your destination and the length of your trip: a medicine that can be taken within Europe with the right certificate may require additional permission or different forms outside Europe.
Hand luggage or checked baggage: how to take medicines safely
| Situation | Practical advice |
|---|---|
| Daily or immediately needed medication | Always take it in your hand luggage. This way, you have it with you if you are delayed or your checked baggage goes missing. Preferably store it under the seat as a personal item on the plane (sizes & examples). |
| Extra supply | If possible, divide your supply between your hand luggage and checked baggage. Keep the amount reasonable for the length of your trip, with a sensible reserve. |
| Liquid medication, injections and medical aids | Expect additional checks at security. A prescription, doctor's letter or proof of medical necessity is useful to have ready to show. |
| Airline rules | Airlines such as Transavia may have their own conditions for hand luggage, liquids and medical baggage. The current airline conditions always take priority. |
Medication passport, Schengen certificate or doctor's letter?
| Document | What do you use it for? | Important to know |
|---|---|---|
| Medication passport or medication overview | As healthcare information: which medicines you use, in what dosage and under which name. | Useful during checks or if you need medical care while travelling, but not automatically sufficient if a country requires an official certificate. |
| Schengen certificate | For certain controlled medicines when travelling within the Schengen Area. | It must be completed and signed according to the current procedure and, where necessary, reviewed or stamped. Pay close attention to its validity and travel dates. |
| Doctor's letter or English-language medication certificate | For countries outside Schengen or destinations that require their own certificate. | Requirements vary by country. Sometimes additional stamps, legalisation or prior permission are required. Ask in good time what applies. |
Your doctor, pharmacy and the competent authority in your destination country play the main role here. Also allow for processing time and any costs. A medication passport alone is therefore not enough if a country specifically asks for a certificate or permission.
Not every country has the same rules
The right approach mainly depends on the country or area you are travelling to, and not only on the airline. It is therefore useful to distinguish between travel within Schengen, travel outside Schengen and destinations with their own form or additional legalisation requirements.
Within Schengen
If you are travelling within the Schengen Area with certain controlled medicines, you will usually need a Schengen certificate, not just a medication passport. Have the certificate completed and signed according to the current procedure and take the correct version with you.
Pay close attention to its validity: such a certificate is valid for a limited period and the stated travel dates must match your application. Do not leave this until the last minute.
Outside Schengen
There are no uniform rules outside Schengen. You must therefore check with the embassy, consulate or another official authority in your destination country what is permitted.
Some countries require a doctor's letter, an English-language medication certificate, additional stamps or prior permission. As forms and processing times vary considerably, it is wise to start well in advance.
Take extra care with countries that have their own forms or legalisation requirements
- Some destinations do not follow a standard procedure and require their own form or additional permission. Turkey is a well-known example.
- Parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean or other island territories may also have rules that differ from those of the country they are politically connected to.
- For certain countries, an apostille or legalisation is required instead of just a doctor's letter or medication overview.
- Therefore, always follow the current requirements of the destination itself, even if your airline or a previous trip showed something different.
Practical preparation: check these things before you leave
- Check that your medicines will remain valid for long enough and that you have enough for the entire trip plus a small reserve.
- Find out in good time whether you need a new prescription if you will be away longer than your current supply allows.
- Preferably take medicines in their original pharmacy packaging, with the label and, ideally, the leaflet. For liquid medication, also check the 100 ml rules for liquids in your hand luggage.
- If you use temperature-sensitive medication such as insulin, follow the storage instructions and choose a safe cooling solution for travelling.
- Keep medicines and documents together in a well-organised hand luggage bag or organiser. Before you leave, you can also check a packing list for hand luggage only, so you can quickly take them out during a check.
Frequently asked questions about taking medicines on a plane
Most last-minute questions are about exceptions, methods of administration and airline conditions, including hand luggage dimensions. Below you will find short, practical answers. If in doubt, always check the current rules of your destination and airline.
Can I take sumatriptan with me when travelling?
Yes, sumatriptan can usually be taken with you as a prescribed medicine, as long as the amount is suitable for your trip and the chosen method of administration makes sense. If you use injections or a nasal spray, for example, this may lead to additional questions during the security check.
Therefore, take the original packaging and preferably your prescription or a medication overview with you. If you are unsure about the rules at your destination, ask your doctor, pharmacy or an official medication check in advance.
Can I take medical baggage free of charge on a KLM flight?
There is no general rule for this. Whether extra medical baggage can be taken free of charge depends on KLM's conditions, the type of baggage and whether it contains medically necessary items.
Therefore, always check the current KLM rules in advance and arrange medical documentation or permission if requested. It is best to keep essential medicines in your hand luggage, for example in well-organised toiletry bags and beauty cases, even if you are also taking additional medical baggage. A compact under-seat bag, such as hand luggage 40x30x20, keeps essential medicines easily accessible.