Travelling Abroad with Prescribed Medication: What You Need to Know

August 27, 2026

If you take regular medication, getting ready for a holiday can involve a few extra things to think about. Can you take your prescription medication abroad? Should you keep it in your hand luggage? Will you need a letter from your doctor?
If you are living with or recovering from cancer, medication may already be part of your everyday routine. Travelling does not necessarily have to change that, but a little preparation can help you feel more confident about being away from home.

For most people, taking prescribed medication abroad is simply another part of getting ready for a trip. Different countries can have different rules about the medicines you can bring with you, so knowing what to check before you travel can make things much more straightforward.

Here are some of the things it is worth thinking about before you go.

Can I take prescription medication abroad?

In many cases, yes. However, the rules will depend on the medication you take and the country you are visiting.

It is worth remembering that a medicine prescribed or readily available in the UK may be treated differently elsewhere. Some countries have restrictions around particular medicines, controlled drugs or the amount of medication you can bring into the country.

Before travelling, check the current guidance for your destination and any countries you will travel through on the way.

You may want to:

• Check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for your destination.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medication contains a controlled drug.
• Check whether you need a copy of your prescription, a doctor’s letter or other supporting documents.
• Check the rules for any country where you have a stopover or connecting journey.
• Contact the relevant embassy or consulate if you cannot find a clear answer.

Where possible, do this well before you travel. If you do need additional documents or permission, you will have time to get everything organised without it becoming a last-minute worry.

Check GOV.UK advice on taking medicine in or out of the UK.

What should I check before taking medication abroad?

If medication is part of your daily routine at home, the aim is to make taking it while you are away feel just as manageable.

Start by making sure you will have enough medication for your trip. Depending on your circumstances, it may also be sensible to have some additional medication where appropriate and permitted in case your journey home is delayed.

If you are unsure how much you can take with you, particularly if you use controlled medication or are travelling for a longer period, speak to your doctor or pharmacist and check the rules for your destination.

It is also worth thinking about how and when you normally take your medication.

If you are crossing time zones, ask your healthcare team or pharmacist for advice if you are unsure when to take your next dose. Some medicines also need to be kept within a particular temperature range or refrigerated, so check the storage instructions before you travel.

If your medication needs special storage, speak to your accommodation before you leave to find out what facilities will be available when you arrive.

Do I Need a Doctor’s Letter to Take Medication Abroad?

You may need a doctor’s letter depending on the medication you take and where you are travelling.

This can be particularly important with some controlled medicines.

Even when a letter is not required, having appropriate information about your medication with you can be useful if you are asked about it while travelling or need medical attention during your holiday.

Depending on the requirements for your destination, a letter may include your name, your medication and its generic name, the strength and dosage, how often you take it and the amount you are travelling with.

The generic name can be useful because medicines can have different brand names in different countries.

You may also want to keep a copy of your prescription with you.

Keep any important paperwork somewhere easy to reach during your journey rather than packing everything in your checked suitcase.

How Should I Pack Medication for a Flight?

Keeping medication organised and accessible can make the journey a little easier.

If you can, keep medicines in their original labelled packaging so they can be clearly identified.

For medication you rely on regularly, keeping it in your hand luggage can also give you some reassurance if your checked baggage is delayed or lost.

Before you leave, it is worth checking:

• Your medication will remain in date for the whole trip.
• You have any prescription or medical documents you need.
• You understand the storage requirements for your medicine.
• You have checked the rules for needles, syringes or other medical equipment if you use them.
• You have checked airport security requirements if you are carrying liquid medication.

Rules can vary between airports and destinations, so check the current requirements for the airports you will be travelling through.

Travelling Abroad with Controlled Medication

If you take controlled medication, there may be a few extra things to check before you travel.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you whether your medicine contains a controlled drug. If it does, check the requirements for taking it out of the UK and the rules for bringing it into your destination.

Some countries may require additional documents or place limits on the amount you can bring with you.

Try not to rely on somebody else’s previous experience of travelling with the same medicine. Rules can differ between countries and they can change.

The same applies to medication bought without a prescription. Some medicines that are readily available over the counter in the UK may contain ingredients that are restricted somewhere else.

Checking before you pack can save a lot of uncertainty later.

Taking Cancer Medication Abroad

If you are living with or recovering from cancer, medication may be part of your treatment, help you manage side effects or be something you continue taking over the longer term.

Having medication to think about does not necessarily mean that travel has to stop.

For many people affected by cancer, getting away can mean much more than simply having a holiday. It may be something positive to look forward to during treatment, time with family, a chance to revisit somewhere you love or an important part of moving forward after treatment has finished.

If you are taking cancer medication abroad, it can help to speak to the healthcare team looking after you before you travel.

You may want to talk to them about your travel dates, treatment schedule, how much medication you will need, storage requirements and what to do if you become unwell while you are away.

If you are crossing several time zones, they can also advise you about when to take your medication.

Do not change, delay or stop prescribed treatment to fit around a holiday unless your healthcare team has advised you to do so.

A little preparation before you leave can help make your medication one less thing to think about once your holiday begins.

Travel Insurance When Travelling with Cancer

Having travel insurance that reflects your individual health and treatment can be an important part of planning your trip with confidence.

When arranging your cover, you will be asked questions about your health. This may include your cancer diagnosis, any treatment you are currently receiving or have recently completed, medication you take and any ongoing appointments or monitoring.

Cancer can affect everybody differently. You may be travelling during treatment, taking ongoing medication, recovering after treatment or planning a holiday while your cancer is in remission. Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different circumstances, which is why it is important to answer the medical screening questions based on your own health and treatment.

If your health changes after you have bought your policy, for example if you start a new treatment, your medication changes or there is a change in your cancer, contact your insurer before you travel. They can explain whether the change needs to be assessed and whether it affects your cover.

It is also worth keeping your insurer’s emergency assistance details somewhere easy to access while you are away, so you know who to contact if you need medical help during your trip.

Find out more about Travel Insurance with Cancer

Remember Your GHIC or EHIC

If you are eligible and travelling to a country where it is accepted, check whether you have a valid Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

These cards can provide access to some medically necessary state healthcare while you are abroad.

However, a GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover every healthcare cost and does not provide cover for things such as medical repatriation back to the UK.

A Little Preparation Can Make Travelling with Medication Easier

Taking prescribed medication abroad may mean adding a few extra jobs to your holiday planning, but it does not have to make travelling feel complicated.

Give yourself time to check the rules for your destination, speak to your healthcare team if you need advice and make sure you have the medication and documents you need before you leave.

With the practical side sorted, you can spend less time thinking about your medication and more time looking forward to your holiday.

Please note: Medication and entry requirements vary between countries and can change. Speak to an appropriate healthcare professional and check current official guidance for your destination before travelling.