Cannabis law in Portugal (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Using cannabis and holding it for own use are administrative offences handled by a commission, not criminal offences. Growing it, even for own use, and selling it remain criminal offences. Medical cannabis is legal on prescription from pharmacies.

RuleWhat applies
Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adultAdministrative offence [1]
Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adultHolding for own use is an administrative offence. Holding or acquiring more than the quantity needed for average individual consumption over 10 days is an indication that the purpose may not be personal use; if it is shown to be exclusively for own use, the case is closed and the person is referred to the commission. The law text read gives no quantity in grams. [1]
Growing at homePersonal use by an adultProhibited [2]
Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adultProhibited [2]
Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adultProhibited [1]
Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adultLegal for medical use [3]
VisitorsPersonal use by an adultNot addressed in the source [1]

Notes

  • Cannabis is covered (Table I-C of Decreto-Lei 15/93). Cases go to a commission for the dissuasion of drug addiction; a non-dependent user may face a fine or, instead, a non-pecuniary sanction (art. 15).
  • Growing for own consumption remains a criminal offence (the agent may be spared a penalty, art. 40(5)); only acquisition and possession for own use were made administrative offences.
  • The law does not exempt private use: consumption is an administrative offence wherever it takes place. Whether use was public or private, and where, is weighed when the commission sets the sanction.
  • INFARMED states use depends on a doctor's clinical assessment against approved therapeutic indications and is limited to cases where conventional treatments did not work or caused significant adverse effects.
  • Lei 30/2000 and Decreto-Lei 15/93 do not mention tourists, nationality or residence; the rules are written for 'quem' (anyone) on Portuguese territory.

Sources

  1. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (Ministério Público), consolidated legislation: Lei n.º 30/2000, de 29 de Novembro (consumo de estupefacientes e substâncias psicotrópicas) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (Ministério Público), consolidated legislation: Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93, de 22 de Janeiro (tráfico e consumo de estupefacientes e psicotrópicos) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  3. INFARMED, I.P. (Autoridade Nacional do Medicamento e Produtos de Saúde): Canábis para fins medicinais - INFARMED, I.P. (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.