Is Ketamine legal in Romania?

Legal status

High-risk drug under Law No. 143/2000 — personal-use possession 6 months–3 years; trafficking (Art 2) 10–20 years; import/export (Art 3) 10–20 years; if distribution causes death 15–25 years; drug use per se not criminalized; no death penalty (EU)

Consequences if caught

Ketamine is a 'high-risk drug' under Romania's Law No. 143/2000 (amended 2014 and 2023). Possession for personal use draws 6 months–3 years (drug use in itself is not criminalized — only possession), with treatment/community-service alternatives. Trafficking (Art 2) draws 10–20 years and import/export (Art 3) 10–20 years; if distribution causes death, 15–25 years. Romania (EU) has no death penalty.

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

Romania (an EU member with no death penalty) splits controlled drugs into 'risk drugs' (the cannabis plant, resin and oil) and 'high-risk drugs' (heroin, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and isolated THC) under Law No. 143/2000 (amended 2014 via the new Penal Code, and 2023). Drug USE in itself is not criminalized — only possession. Possession for personal use draws 3 months–2 years or a fine for risk drugs, and 6 months–3 years for high-risk drugs, with treatment and community-service alternatives ('therapeutic justice'). Trafficking (Art 2) draws 3–15 years for risk drugs and 10–20 years for high-risk; import/export (Art 3) 10–20 years for high-risk, with international trafficking up to 7–20 years; if distribution causes death, 15–25 years. Note the THC-versus-plant split: the cannabis plant is a 'risk drug', but isolated THC is a 'high-risk drug'. Medical cannabis exists on paper but barely functions, and CBD is legal under tight THC limits. [rejected] A 2023 bill to decriminalize possession of 3 g or less of cannabis was rejected by the Senate (not law). Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

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