Is Khat legal in Italy?
- Legal status
- Banned. PLANT NAMED: 'Catha edulis (pianta)' is listed together with cathinone and cathine in Tabella I of the narcotics schedules under D.P.R. 309/1990. Mechanism: NAMED (plant).
- Consequences if caught
- Production, sale and possession of the leaf are criminal offences; fresh khat is routinely seized at airports (e.g. Fiumicino).
- If prescribed or medical
- Khat is traditional plant material with no recognised medical use and no lawful prescription route.
- Documentation
- No lawful personal-import route; perishable fresh leaf is prohibited and seized at the border.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Italy’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 →