Is CBD legal in Luxembourg?
David ReichUpdated:Key points at a glance:
Is CBD legal in Luxembourg? In short: partially. Smokable CBD products are permitted if they are tobacco-free and contain less than 1% THC. Consumption is only allowed in private. CBD e-liquids are subject to strict regulation and are often not permitted. Cosmetics must not contain THC. CBD foods are frequently not freely marketable. When driving, a limit of 1 ng/ml THC applies. Evidence of purchase and original packaging should be carried. Smokable products are subject to excise duty. Buying on the spot can make compliance checks easier.
In short: smokable CBD products are permitted in Luxembourg under certain conditions. Other CBD products are subject to strict special rules. Use is only allowed in private spaces, and when driving there is effectively zero tolerance for THC in the blood. Only bring CBD products that are well documented and free from tobacco/THC, and consider buying products locally. (police.public.lu)
Smokable CBD with <1% THC is allowed in Luxembourg, but many other CBD products are tightly controlled, public use is banned and there is a near zero‑tolerance rule for THC when driving.
Which products contain CBD but no THC?
First, here is a brief overview of products that contain CBD but are free from THC. THC tends to be more strictly regulated in many countries. These are some of the most common categories:
- CBD oils and tinctures: These liquids are usually placed under the tongue to allow for quick absorption.
- CBD capsules and tablets: A convenient way to take a measured amount of CBD, similar to dietary supplements.
- CBD edibles: These include gummies, chocolate, drinks and other foods that contain CBD.
- CBD vape products: These products are used for inhaling CBD vapour. They include e‑liquids and vape pens.
- CBD skincare products: Creams, ointments, lotions and balms that are applied to the skin for local use.
Quick check: is CBD legal in Luxembourg?
| Topic | Summary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Smokable CBD products (flowers/herbal mixtures) | Permitted if they do not contain tobacco and the THC content is < 1%; sales to minors are prohibited. | Police Grand-Ducale (police.public.lu) |
| CBD e‑liquids | Strictly regulated: plant-based ingredients in e‑liquids are not permitted; CBD e‑liquids are prohibited if they contain THC or are not derived from authorised varieties/plant parts. | Ministry of Health – professional guidance; RGD 20.06.2017 (e‑cigarettes) (santesecu.public.lu, data.legilux.public.lu) |
| Cosmetics with CBD | THC is not permitted in cosmetics; only hemp seed oil from industrial hemp is generally considered unproblematic. General EU cosmetics rules apply. | Police Grand-Ducale (practical guide) (police.public.lu) |
| Use/possession in public | Recreational cannabis remains prohibited in public spaces; home cultivation (max. 4 plants) and use are only allowed at home. | Portail Santé – Culture à domicile; Police (santesecu.public.lu, police.public.lu) |
| Driving | THC limit in serum is 1 ng/ml – effectively a zero-tolerance approach. Tests may register after using smokable CBD products. | Police Grand-Ducale (police.public.lu) |
| Import/air travel | From non‑EU countries, customs declaration rules and lists of prohibited goods apply; “stupéfiants” are prohibited. From EU/Schengen: no systematic customs checks, but it is still advisable to carry documentation. Smokable CBD products are subject to excise duty in Luxembourg. | Guichet.lu (travellers’ allowances/prohibitions); Douanes (excise duty on CBD smokable products) (guichet.public.lu, douanes.public.lu) |
| Medical cannabis | The programme is in place (flowers/oils with defined profiles) – supplied via hospital pharmacies, only with a doctor participating in the programme. | Portail Santé (19.12.2024); Gouvernement.lu (santesecu.public.lu, gouvernement.lu) |
Entry rules: can you bring CBD to Luxembourg?
- Arriving from the EU/Schengen area: There are no systematic customs checks, but airport security rules (for example for liquids in hand luggage) still apply. Only carry CBD in its original packaging, with proof of purchase and a certificate of analysis (COA). Pay close attention to products that are THC‑free or contain only very low trace levels. (guichet.public.lu)
- Arriving from non‑EU countries: Goods must – where permitted – be declared. Prohibited goods (such as “stupéfiants”) are not allowed. Check in advance whether CBD is permitted in your country of departure and whether it may be regarded as a narcotic there. (guichet.public.lu)
- Smokable CBD products: In Luxembourg, CBD herbal products for smoking are subject to excise duty. The tax stamp is applied when the products are first placed on the market in Luxembourg. As a traveller, you can avoid difficulties by buying these products locally in Luxembourg (with a tax stamp). (douanes.public.lu)
- Medicinal products (including medical cannabis): People carrying prescription, controlled medicines generally need certificates (Schengen certificate or international certificate), which must usually be obtained before travel. (santesecu.public.lu)
When travelling to Luxembourg with CBD, documentation (original packaging, proof of purchase and COA) is important, and buying smokable CBD locally can reduce customs and tax complications.
Buying, possessing and using CBD in Luxembourg
1) Smokable CBD products (herbal mixtures/flowers)
Luxembourg permits CBD herbal products for smoking under strict conditions:
- no tobacco content
- THC content in the product must remain below 1%
- sales to minors are prohibited
- anti‑tobacco rules for herbal smoking products also apply (for example on advertising and where you can smoke). (police.public.lu, santesecu.public.lu)
2) CBD e‑liquids
The law on e‑cigarettes and e‑liquids in Luxembourg is particularly strict. In general:
- e‑liquids are subject to tight rules on ingredients and purity
- plant-based ingredients are not allowed in standard e‑liquids
- products containing THC are not permitted
- e‑liquids that are not derived from authorised hemp varieties or plant parts are also problematic.
This means that many CBD e‑liquids currently on the market elsewhere may not comply with Luxembourg rules. (data.legilux.public.lu, santesecu.public.lu)
3) Cosmetics with CBD
CBD cosmetics are allowed only within general EU and national rules:
- THC is not permitted in cosmetics
- products containing CBD must comply with EU cosmetics legislation
- in practice, hemp seed oil from industrial hemp is particularly common and is generally considered less problematic.
When importing or purchasing cosmetics with hemp‑derived ingredients, check the INCI ingredient list and avoid any reference to THC. (police.public.lu)
4) CBD foods and drinks
CBD for oral consumption – such as oils to swallow, edibles, drinks and dietary supplements – is particularly strictly regulated in Luxembourg and is often not freely marketable as food.
If you carry such products at all:
- keep them clearly for personal use only
- leave them in the original packaging
- carry a certificate of analysis
- be prepared for possible questions at controls.
From a practical point of view, it may be simpler to buy locally from product categories that are clearly within the legal framework, such as certain cosmetics. (santesecu.public.lu)
5) Medical cannabis: separate rules
Luxembourg operates a state programme for medical cannabis. Within this:
- patients can access CBD‑dominant flowers, balanced THC/CBD flowers and oil extracts
- products are supplied via hospital pharmacies
- only patients whose doctor participates in the programme can access them.
This programme is generally not accessible for tourists or short‑term visitors. (santesecu.public.lu, gouvernement.lu)
In Luxembourg, smokable CBD with <1% THC is specifically regulated, while CBD e‑liquids, foods and supplements face much stricter rules and may not be freely sold or imported.
CBD use in public vs private spaces
Luxembourg distinguishes clearly between private spaces (for example your home) and public spaces (streets, parks, public transport, many shared areas in buildings).
- Home cultivation of cannabis is allowed up to a maximum of 4 plants per household.
- Use is only allowed in private spaces, not in public.
- In public spaces, possession, transport, purchase and use of recreational cannabis remain prohibited. For small quantities, warnings or lower fines may apply, but sanctions are still possible.
- Smokable CBD products should be kept for private use only and local smoking bans must be observed.
Driving in Luxembourg after using CBD
Luxembourg applies a very strict THC limit for drivers:
- THC blood limit in serum: 1 ng/ml, which in practice is close to zero tolerance
- even legally purchased smokable CBD products with <1% THC can, depending on trace THC levels and individual metabolism, result in a positive test.
Because of this, the safest approach is to avoid driving after inhaling smokable CBD products. (police.public.lu)
Luxembourg’s THC driving limit (1 ng/ml in blood serum) means that even small THC traces from legal CBD products may be enough to trigger a positive roadside test.
Practical CBD travel tips (car, train, plane)
-
Certificates of analysis (COA): Print and carry the COA showing:
- THC content
- batch number
- manufacturer details
- testing laboratory.
- Original packaging: Only take products in their original packaging, with invoice or proof of purchase and clear product labelling (including CBD and THC content where relevant).
- Liquids (oils, e‑liquids): Observe hand luggage rules (for example 100 ml limit per container). Where possible, place liquids in checked baggage.
- Smokable products: Ensure there is no tobacco mixed in and that the packaging clearly shows <1% THC. Preferably buy smokable CBD directly in Luxembourg with the appropriate tax stamp. (douanes.public.lu)
- Medicinal preparations: If you carry prescribed controlled medicines (including medical cannabis), apply in good time for a Schengen certificate or international certificate, depending on your route. (santesecu.public.lu)
EU law in brief: what the “Kanavape” case means
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in case C‑663/18 “Kanavape” (19.11.2020) that:
- CBD is not a narcotic within the meaning of the UN drug conventions
- national bans on the marketing of lawfully manufactured CBD from other EU member states can conflict with the EU principle of free movement of goods
- however, such restrictions can still be justified on public health grounds if they are appropriate and proportionate.
For travellers, this means that EU law offers some protection for CBD that is legally produced in another member state, but national authorities – including those in Luxembourg – may still enforce strict rules, especially in relation to THC traces. Carrying documentation remains important. (juricaf.org, doctrine.fr)
Are there regional differences in CBD law within Luxembourg?
No. Luxembourg is a unitary state. The CBD rules and cannabis legislation described here apply uniformly throughout the entire country. There are no regional variations similar to federal systems in other countries.
Useful legal references on CBD law in Luxembourg
- Police Grand‑Ducale – Stupéfiants/CBD (last updated 03.02.2025) (police.public.lu)
- Portail Santé – Medicines/professional guidance on CBD products (santesecu.public.lu)
- RGD of 20.06.2017 (e‑cigarettes, labelling, composition) (data.legilux.public.lu)
- Portail Santé – Home cultivation (law of 10.07.2023) (santesecu.public.lu)
- Gouvernement.lu – Entry into force of home cultivation (21.07.2023) (gouvernement.lu)
- Administration des Douanes – Excise duty for CBD smokable products (<1% THC) (douanes.public.lu)
- Guichet.lu – Importing goods into Luxembourg (travellers) (guichet.public.lu)
- Portail Santé – Medical cannabis programme (19.12.2024) (santesecu.public.lu)
- Gouvernement.lu – Communication on the programme (29.11.2024) (gouvernement.lu)
- CJEU C‑663/18 (“Kanavape”): CBD is not a narcotic (juricaf.org)
Disclaimer
This article does not constitute legal advice. Laws, enforcement practice and official guidance may change; check the primary sources linked above before every trip. For medical questions, contact healthcare professionals or the relevant authorities.