FranceTravelling with ADHD medication: rules, permits and documents
EuropeLast checked 20 Jul 2026High confidenceHow we rate a record
Every medication we track comes into France on a doctor's certificate, and the certificate covers 28 days' supply.
By medication
Brand names first, generic in brackets. Each line resolves the drug class rule below, plus anything France records specifically for that medication.
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)Restrictedmax 28 days' supply
ANSM's consolidated list of substances classed as stupéfiants names lisdexamfetamine and its salts (Annexe IV), so France treats it as a narcotic, not under the three-month psychotropic allowance. Carry it yourself with the original prescription, up to the treatment length on the prescription and no more than 28 days. France needs no transport attestation from travellers arriving in France.
- Ritalin, Concerta (methylphenidate)Restrictedmax 28 days' supply
Methylphenidate is a stupéfiant (narcotic) in French law (order of 22 February 1990, Annexe III), although internationally it is a 1971 Convention psychotropic, so France applies its narcotic rules. Entering France you need no attestation. Carry it yourself with the original prescription, and no more than 28 days' supply within the treatment length on the prescription.
- Dexedrine (dexamfetamine)Restrictedmax 28 days' supply
ANSM's consolidated list of substances classed as stupéfiants names dexamfetamine (Annexe III), so France treats it as a narcotic, not under the three-month psychotropic allowance. Carry it yourself with the original prescription, up to the treatment length on the prescription and no more than 28 days. France needs no transport attestation from travellers arriving in France.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)Restrictedmax 90 days' supply
Atomoxetine, guanfacine and viloxazine are not classed as narcotics or psychotropics in France. You may carry up to three months' treatment for your own use without a permit. To bring more than three months you must show customs a prescription covering the longer period, up to one year (Public Health Code article R5121-110; French customs). We suggest carrying your prescription and keeping the medicine in its original packaging in any case.
- Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts)Restrictedmax 28 days' supply
ANSM's consolidated list of substances classed as stupéfiants names amfetamine (Annexe III), so France treats mixed amphetamine salts as a narcotic, not under the three-month psychotropic allowance. Carry them yourself with the original prescription, up to the treatment length on the prescription and no more than 28 days. France needs no transport attestation from travellers arriving in France.
- Intuniv (guanfacine)Restrictedmax 90 days' supply
The same rule as Strattera above.
- Qelbree (viloxazine)Restrictedmax 90 days' supply
The same rule as Strattera above.
Rules by drug class
Narcotic (opioids)
Prescription- Quantity
- 28 days. Injectable morphine 7 days; methadone oral syrup 14 days
- Permit
- Not required. No French attestation for arriving travellers. ANSM: "aucune attestation de transport personnel de médicaments stupéfiants n'est requise de la part des autorités de santé de la France. Par conséquent, l'ANSM n'établit pas d'attestation de transport personnel de médicaments stupéfiants pour les voyageurs qui se rendent en France. En revanche, il est obligatoire d'avoir l'original de l'ordonnance avec soi." (read 2026-09-04). Residents of a Schengen state carry their own state's Article 75 certificate.
- Documents
- prescription
Psychotropic (ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleep)
Restricted- Quantity
- 28 days. The treatment length on your prescription, and no more than 28 days (the maximum prescription length for stupéfiants, Public Health Code article R5132-30).
- Permit
- Not required. No French authorisation is needed to bring them in. ANSM says France's health authorities require no transport attestation from travellers going to France, but you must carry the original prescription.
- Documents
- prescription
Not internationally controlled
Restricted- Quantity
- 90 days. Up to three months' treatment without showing a prescription. You may bring more only up to the treatment length on your prescription, which you must then show customs, and never more than one year (Public Health Code article R5121-110; French customs).
- Permit
- Not required.
- Documents
- Prescription
- Needed at customs only when you carry more than three months' treatment. It must cover the longer period, up to one year (Public Health Code, article R5121-110).
- Prescription
Leaving France
France publishes a different rule for taking these medicines out than for bringing them in. Only the differences are below. Anything not listed here is the same as the rule above.
Narcotic (opioids)
- Status
- Permit required
- Permit
- Required. Apply at least 10 days ahead. Residents of France leaving with narcotic medicines apply for the transport attestation: "faites-en la demande dix jours minimum avant la date de votre départ" (ANSM).
Leaving France with narcotic medicines needs the ARS or ANSM transport attestation, applied for at least ten days before departure.
- Voyager avec mes médicaments (attestation request)In the Trip Pack
Responsible authority
National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM)
Address: 143-147 Boulevard Anatole France, 93285 Saint-Denis CEDEX, France; Tel: +33 (0)1 5587 3000; contact: https://ansm.sante.fr/contact
Sources
The sources behind everything above, so you can check it yourself rather than take our word for it. Always confirm the current rule with the source before you travel.
- You are traveling with medicinesGovernment
- Public Health Code art R5132-30 (Legifrance, version of 4 Feb 2022): narcotic medicines may not be prescribed for more than 28 daysGovernment, 2022-02-04
- Public Health Code import rules, arts R5121-108 to R5121-136 (Legifrance): personal import carried by the traveller, art R5121-110; narcotic and psychotropic medicines covered, art R5121-136Government
- Order of 22 Feb 1990 listing narcotics (Legifrance; ANSM changes since 2022 not merged): methylphenidate and dexamfetamine in Annex III; lisdexamfetamine in Annex IVGovernment, 1990-06-07
- ANSM consolidated list of narcotics under the order of 22 Feb 1990 (16 Feb 2026): amphetamine page 23, dexamfetamine page 24, methylphenidate page 29, Annex III; lisdexamfetamine Annex IV, page 51Government, 2026-02-16
- INCB Travellers table: FranceTreaty body, 2024-05
Your trip pack
A doctor's letter for France, filled in with your medications and your stops, ready to sign.
The rules above are free and stay free. The pack is the paperwork that goes with them: a checklist for each stop in travel order, a printable PDF, and the letter to take to your GP.
Build your trip packCommon questions
This page organises publicly available government information and links. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules change and enforcement varies, so always confirm with the official sources above or the France embassy or consulate before travelling.