Is Buprenorphine legal in Russia?

Legal status

Controlled in Russia. Decree 681 lists buprenorphine at the entry «Бупренорфин» (in English, buprenorphine), and the dossier's explanation for this row reads: “List II narcotic.” The list number stated for this row is taken from the dossier's explanation column and is not printed in the quoted list entry. Decree 681 of 30 June 1998 sets the controlled lists and Decree 1002 of 1 October 2012 sets the amounts. The dossier read Decree 681 and Decree 1002 as amended up to Government Decree No. 880 of 11 June 2025, checked on 18 September 2026; a later government decree is not ruled out.

Consequences if caught

Capital exposure: none. The highest sentence the dossier records under articles 228 and 228.1 of the Criminal Code is life imprisonment, at article 228.1(5). For buprenorphine the dossier's ceiling column gives Decree 1002 amounts of over 0.005 g (significant), over 0.025 g (large) and over 5 g (especially large), and the dossier's penalties section says the printed numbers are strict “over” thresholds, not inclusive cut-offs. Personal possession without intent to sell below the significant amount is an administrative offence under KoAP article 6.8, and the dossier gives no fine figure for it. Above the significant amount article 228 of the Criminal Code applies, and the dossier's penalties section gives up to 3 years for a significant amount, 3 to 10 years for a large amount and 10 to 15 years for an especially large amount, with the additional sanctions stated in the article. Production, sale or transfer is criminal at any amount under article 228.1, where, as the dossier puts it, there is no minimum quantity gateway and quantity instead aggravates the sentence; the especially large limb, article 228.1(5), carries 15 to 20 years or life imprisonment, plus the optional fine and disqualification stated there. The record this cell rests on does not set out separate import, export, cultivation or consumption offences, so none is stated here.

If prescribed or medical

The dossier's model section describes List II as restricted narcotics and psychotropics, and neither that section nor this row states a prescription route for buprenorphine or its conditions, so none is given here.

Documentation

The dossier this cell rests on does not state a traveller documentation or import permit rule for buprenorphine.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Russia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.