Is Methamphetamine legal in Netherlands?
- Legal status
- List I ('hard drug') of the Opium Act (Opiumwet), listed as 'metamfetamine'. Art. 2 prohibits bringing it into or out of the Netherlands, cultivating, preparing, processing, selling, supplying, providing or transporting it, possessing it, and manufacturing it.
- Consequences if caught
- List I offence under the Opium Act. Possession of a small quantity intended for own use carries up to 1 year (art. 10); other possession up to 6 years; cultivation, preparation, processing, sale, supply or transport up to 8 years; import or export up to 12 years. Fines to the fifth category. No capital exposure (non-DP).
- If prescribed or medical
- Opium Act medicines on List I may be carried for personal medical use only with the proper certificate (see documentation).
- Documentation
- For Schengen travel, carry a Schengen certificate issued via the CAK (valid 30 days, covering up to 4 Schengen countries); for non-Schengen travel, carry an English-language medical certificate (legalised, valid 1 year). Keep medicines in original packaging in your hand luggage.
- Opium Act (Opiumwet), List I, arts. 2 and 10
- wetten.overheid.nl
What sentences have courts imposed for Methamphetamine in Netherlands?
One prosecution recorded in Netherlands, checked against the official document cited below it. Individuals are never named, and these are examples of what has happened, not a prediction of what will. How we verify a court case.
1 verified case recorded. 1 case states no single comparable term. In 1 of these 1 the court ordered no immediate custody: a term of imprisonment suspended in full.
A Gelderland court found that between 25 January and 2 February 2023, in the municipality of Doetinchem and elsewhere in the Netherlands, the accused dealt in, transported and held MDMA, methamphetamine, amphetamine and GHB. The sentence was six months' imprisonment wholly suspended on a two-year operational period together with 160 hours of community service, so no immediate custody was ordered.
2023dealing, transport and possession of several List I drugsconvicted of dealing in and possessing several List I drugs; six months' imprisonment wholly suspended, plus 160 hours community service
Substances recorded mdma, methamphetamine, amphetamine, ghb
Methamphetamine in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in Netherlands
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Netherlands’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
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