Is Modafinil legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 — NOT a controlled drug (not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971).
- Consequences if caught
- Possession for personal use is not a criminal drug offence; unlicensed supply/sale/import is an offence under the HMR 2012.
- If prescribed or medical
- Personal-import exemption tolerates ~3 months' supply with genuine medical need.
- Documentation
- Personal import of prescribed controlled drugs is allowed: up to a 3-month supply may be carried without a Home Office licence if the drug was lawfully prescribed and dispensed in your country of residence. Carry the original prescription, declare the medicine, and keep quantities matched to personal need.
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (POM, not a controlled drug)
- legislation.gov.uk
Court records
We have applied to The National Archives for the licence required to analyse Find Case Law records, and will publish outcomes once it is determined.
Source checked Find Case Law, The National Archives · 2026-08-26
Modafinil in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in United Kingdom
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United Kingdom’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 →