Is Ketamine legal in France?
- Legal status
- Stupéfiant (narcotic) — placed under the narcotics regime of the Code de la santé publique (injectable ketamine classified as a stupéfiant by the Arrêté of 19 January 2017; medicines placed under narcotic rules by the Arrêté of 31 July 2003).
- Consequences if caught
- Unauthorised use is punishable under art. L3421-1 CSP (up to 1 year / €3,750 fine); trafficking under arts. 222-34 ff. of the Code pénal carries up to 20–30 years and heavy fines.
- If prescribed or medical
- Available as a prescription anaesthetic, dispensed under narcotic-prescription rules. Carry the original prescription and documentation.
- Documentation
- EU/Schengen travel: carry prescribed narcotics/psychotropics with a Schengen certificate. From outside Schengen: carry the original prescription plus an ANSM personal-transport certificate (Attestation de transport personnel de médicaments stupéfiants) where the destination requires it; up to a 3-month personal supply (or the treatment duration). Keep medicines in hand luggage.
- Code de la santé publique (stupéfiants)
- Arrêté du 19 janvier 2017
- ansm.sante.fr
- legifrance.gouv.fr
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with France’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →