Is MDMA legal in Portugal?
- Legal status
- Decriminalized (administrative offence) up to a 10-day supply — NOT legalized; the substance remains illegal and is confiscated
- Consequences if caught
- CRITICAL: decriminalized is NOT legalized. Personal use, acquisition or possession up to a 10-DAY SUPPLY is an ADMINISTRATIVE offence (not criminal, no criminal record), but the substance remains illegal and IS confiscated; the case is referred to the Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction (CDT), which may issue a warning, a suspension (first-time non-dependent users), a €25–150 fine, or a treatment referral. The 10-day personal threshold (Portaria 94/96) is 1 g for MDMA. Above the 10-day threshold, or with trafficking indicators, the case is criminal under Decree-Law 15/93 (Art 21): trafficking up to 12 years, with lesser tiers of 1–5 years. New psychoactive substances (NPS) are controlled separately under Decree-Law 54/2013 (administrative fines up to €45,000).
- If prescribed or medical
- Carrying a prescribed medicine within the 10-day personal threshold with a valid prescription is lawful; for controlled medicines carry a Schengen certificate (see documentation).
- Documentation
- For Schengen travel carry a Schengen certificate for controlled medicines plus the original packaging and prescription. Carrying a prescribed medicine within the 10-day personal threshold with a valid prescription is lawful.
- Law 30/2000 (decriminalization), Arts 2/5/15
- Decree-Law 15/93 (Art 21, trafficking)
- Portaria 94/96 (10-day threshold amounts)
- Decree-Law 54/2013 (NPS)
- diariodarepublica.pt
- sicad.pt
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Portugal’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 →
