Is Kratom legal in Switzerland?
- Legal status
- Kratom is controlled in Switzerland through the isolated alkaloids — mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine were added to the narcotics schedules (Verzeichnis) by Swissmedic ordinance in October 2017. The plant Mitragyna speciosa is not listed by name but is caught indirectly as the natural source of the scheduled alkaloids, effectively making kratom illegal.
- Consequences if caught
- Narcotics offences under the Narcotics Act (BetmG): unauthorised handling draws a fine for personal use up to imprisonment for trafficking.
- If prescribed or medical
- No lawful medical route — the alkaloids are scheduled narcotics with no authorised Swissmedic kratom product.
- Documentation
- No lawful personal-import route for the scheduled alkaloids or the kratom leaf that contains them.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Switzerland’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 →