Doctor's letter for travelling with medication

A doctor's travel letter is a signed letter from the prescriber that names the patient and each prescribed medicine, usually with its strength and the quantity carried, so an official can see the medicine is the traveller's own.

Some countries call it a medical certificate, and a few say exactly what it must contain. This section sets out what official sources ask for, country by country, with a link to each source.

Country records used here were last reviewed between 24 Jul 2026 and 10 Oct 2026.

When do you need a doctor's letter?

Whenever a destination's rules ask for one, and that differs by country and by medicine. Australia's own traveller guidance from the TGA says it is a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor detailing any prescription medicines you take with you. For a controlled medicine such as an ADHD stimulant, some destinations go further and say what the letter has to state, how recently it must be issued, or that it has to be endorsed by an authority before you travel.

10 country records on this site set out what a letter, medical certificate or prescription has to state. The items they ask for most often are: the generic (INN) name of each medicine (9), the strength of each medicine (8) and the total quantity carried (8).

For travellers

What a travel letter for controlled medication should contain: the parts of a letter, and how many countries ask for each item.
The Schengen Article 75 certificate: who it is for, and what a traveller from Australia carries instead.
PBS supply and the Medicine Export Declaration: what Services Australia and the TGA say before you leave.
Check your itinerary to see the documents each stop asks for, or see a sample doctor's letter and trip pack.

For prescribers

Writing a travel letter for a patient's ADHD or controlled medication collects what each destination's records ask the document to state, the issue-date windows they record, and what they say about letterhead, stamps and signatures. A letter issued through a practice that uses this site carries a reference anyone can check at /verify.

Which countries say what a letter must state?

Other destinations may still ask for a letter or a prescription without saying what it must contain. Each country page lists the documents its record holds.

This page lists what official sources ask for. It is information only, not legal or medical advice, and it does not suggest what a doctor should write or certify: the prescriber decides that from their own assessment of the patient. The traveller and the prescriber should confirm current requirements with the authority concerned before travel. See also the disclaimer.