Medicines

Do you need any medicines while travelling abroad?

Purchasing medication abroad

Are you travelling or staying abroad and need prescription medication? You can purchase medication from another EU or EEA country either with a separate paper prescription or, in certain countries, with an electronic prescription. However, not all medicines can be bought with a prescription issued in Finland. Find out more about buying medicines abroad!

Proceed as follows if you need medicines abroad

1. Before you travel, check whether Finnish electronic prescriptions are accepted in your destination country.
2. If necessary, ask your doctor for a medical prescription for purchasing medicine abroad.
3. Take your passport or identity card with you to the pharmacy if you are buying a medicine on an electronic prescription.
4. Check in advance whether there are any restrictions on purchasing the medicine. For example, medicines classified as narcotics or certain medicines that affect the central nervous system cannot be obtained abroad with a Finnish prescription.

Are you taking any medicines with you on your trip abroad?

Carrying medicines while travelling

You can normally take all prescription and self-administered medicines with you when you travel. However, different countries impose different restrictions on the import of medicines. Before travelling, check the regulations of your destination country and any countries you may be passing through. Find out more about taking medicines abroad!

Remember these things before your trip

1. Familiarise yourself with any restrictions on medicines in your destination country and any countries you may be travelling through.
2. Take with you a signed copy of the prescriptions in English. You can get it from a pharmacy or from the doctor who prescribed it.
3. Carry your medicines in their original packaging and pack them in your hand luggage.
4. Check whether you need to provide diagnostic information, a copy of your medical records or any other supporting documentation.
5. Check whether you need a Schengen certificate for your medicine.

Are you bringing any medicines with you to Finland?

Bringing medicines to Finland

You can bring prescription and self-administered medicines for personal use to Finland from abroad. Restrictions on the quantity and import of medicines depend on things such as from which country you come from and what type of medicine you are bringing with you. Find out more about bringing medicines into Finland!

Check the following before bringing medicines into Finland

1. Check how much medicine you are allowed to bring into Finland.
2. Keep your prescription or doctor’s certificate to prove that the medicine is for your personal use.
3. Check the specific restrictions that apply to medicines classified as narcotics and medicines that affect the central nervous system.
4. Check whether you need a Schengen certificate for your medicine.

Are you planning to buy medicines in Finland using a prescription issued abroad?

Buying medicines in Finland with a prescription issued abroad

In Finland, you can purchase medicine with a prescription issued in another EU or EEA country or Switzerland if the medicine in question is licensed for sale in Finland. However, not all medicines can be bought with a prescription issued abroad. Sometimes the pharmacy also has to check the authenticity of a prescription, which can take several days. Prescriptions written outside the EU or EEA area or Switzerland are not accepted in Finland. Find out more about using a prescription issued abroad in Finland!

Are you planning to buy medicines online?

Ordering medicines from an online pharmacy

You can buy medicines from an online pharmacy operating in Finland or another EU country. It is illegal to order medicines from sources outside the EU and EEA countries. Before placing an order, ensure that the online pharmacy is operating legally and that the medicine you are ordering meets the conditions for importing medicines. Find out more about buying medicines online!

Check the following before ordering medicines

1. Make sure you are buying the medicine from a legal online pharmacy.
2. Make sure you have a valid prescription if you are ordering prescription medicines online.
3. Check the restrictions on importing the medicines and the permitted quantities.

Do you need information about medicines and pharmacies in Finland?

Medicinal treatment in Finland

In Finland, medicinal treatment is a part of your health services. Medicines may be prescribed by a doctor and, under certain conditions, by a nurse. In Finland, the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) is responsible for monitoring the safety of medicines and their side effects. Find out more about medicinal treatment in Finland!

Pharmacies in Finland

Do you need medicines, or are you looking for your nearest pharmacy? In Finland, only pharmacies are authorised to sell medicines. Find out about pharmacies in Finland and find your nearest pharmacy!

Finnish prescriptions

In Finland, prescriptions are generally issued electronically. You can purchase medicine prescribed to you at any pharmacy by presenting a patient guide, your Kela Card or personal identification. You can also view your prescription details and request a prescription renewal via MyKanta, provided you have a Finnish personal identity code. Find out about Finnish prescriptions!