Hemp and CBD

CBD in Greece 2026: what Law 5302 banned, and what you can still buy

CBD and medical cannabis are two separate regulatory worlds in Greece. Confusing them is why people arrive with the wrong expectations — in both directions.

What the difference actually is

Both come from the same plant, but the law treats them as entirely different things — and the practical gap is large.

	CBD / industrial hemp	Medical cannabis
Defined by	Very low THC content	A preparation with active THC
Prescription needed?	No	Yes — from a Greek-licensed physician
Where to buy	Shops, some pharmacies, online	Licensed pharmacy only
Psychoactive effect	No	Yes, depending on the preparation
Regulator	Food and supplement regulation	National Organisation for Medicines (EOF)

What this means: if you are looking for treatment for pain or sleep, CBD is not a substitute for the medical route. And if you only want an oil to take the edge off, there is no reason to go through a medical process.

What you can buy in Greece

Industrial hemp products are regulated in Greece within a European framework, and are generally freely available in these categories:

CBD oils — the most common category
Cosmetics — creams, balms, skincare
Food supplements — subject to food regulation

These do not require a prescription and can be bought in dedicated shops, in some pharmacies, and online.

Worth checking on the label THC concentration, a lab test certificate, and country of manufacture. A product that does not show these is better skipped — both for safety and because it may fall outside what is permitted.

03 · The change

What changed in 2026, and why older guides mislead

On 20 May 2026 Greece published Law 5302/2026, and retail sale of dried hemp flower to consumers has been prohibited since — whatever the THC concentration.

The law appeared in the Greek Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ A′78), with the prohibition set out in articles 43(2) and 46. The following day, on 21 May 2026, the National Organisation for Medicines (EOF) published an announcement confirming that the ban covers dried flower of Cannabis sativa L. in any form, processed or raw, and that the competent audit authorities would carry out on-site market inspections. It applies immediately.

Until then the market for hemp flower ("CBD flower") was relatively open in Greece, and shops sold dried low-THC flower freely. That is why guides written before May 2026 still describe a reality that has changed. If you read a recommendation to buy CBD flower in a shop in Athens, check when it was written.

Oils, cosmetics, food and supplements were not covered by the flower ban. Import, storage and wholesale supply for industrial processing remain permitted.

What this does not change The change concerns the consumer market for industrial hemp. It does not affect the medical prescription route, which continues to operate through licensed pharmacies as normal.

Sources: EOF announcement, 21 May 2026; Law 5302/2026, ΦΕΚ A′78, 20 May 2026.

04 · The border

Can I take CBD home with me?

Be careful here. Countries regulate CBD products separately, and the position is not the same everywhere. A product bought entirely lawfully in Greece is not necessarily permitted for personal import where you are going.

In addition — products that are poorly labelled, or whose actual THC content is higher than the label states, can be treated very differently at customs. Laboratory testing has repeatedly found gaps between declared and actual content in open-market CBD products.

Our recommendation Do not assume a CBD product is "safe to import" just because you bought it in a shop. Check with your own customs authority before you fly, or simply do not bring it. The principle is the same as for medical cannabis: what is bought in Greece is safest left in Greece.

Which one suits you

CBD suits you if: you want a product with no psychoactive effect, you do not want a medical process, and your expectations are moderate.

The medical route suits you if: you want a preparation with active THC, you are willing to be assessed by a physician, and you want a supervised product dispensed by a pharmacy.

The two routes are not competing — they answer different needs. If you are not sure which one you belong to, the full guide will help you place yourself.

Last updated: September 2026. Content here is general information and is not medical or legal advice. CBD regulation changes frequently — verify with an official source close to your travel date.

FAQ

Questions about CBD in Greece

Is CBD legal in Greece in 2026?

Partly. CBD oils, cosmetics, food and supplements remain available. Dried hemp flower has been prohibited for retail sale to consumers since Law 5302/2026, published on 20 May 2026.

Can I still buy CBD flower in a shop?

No. On 21 May 2026 EOF announced that retail sale and distribution to consumers of dried flower of Cannabis sativa L. is prohibited in any form, processed or raw, whatever the THC or cannabinoid content. It applies immediately.

What is the difference between CBD and medical cannabis in Greece?

They are two separate regulatory worlds. CBD and industrial hemp are regulated as consumer products and need no prescription. Medical cannabis is a preparation with active THC, bought at a licensed pharmacy and only on a prescription from a Greek-licensed physician.

Can I bring CBD products into Greece from home?

Your own country regulates CBD separately, and its position is not the same as Greece's. A product lawfully bought in one country is not automatically lawful in another, so availability at home is not permission to carry it in.

Might the flower ban be reversed?

The law is in force with immediate effect, and EOF has said the competent audit authorities will carry out on-site market inspections. Future change is possible in any regulated area, but it is not something to plan a trip around.

What else is worth reading

The full guideThe medical route: who is assessed, how it works, what it costs. Cannabis in GreeceThree separate legal tracks. Flying with cannabisBoth directions, and the documents that do not help.

Looking for something stronger than CBD?

A short questionnaire, and a Greek-licensed physician will assess whether the medical route fits you.

Start the eligibility check