GLP-1 Medications in Europe: Import Rules, Prices and Cold Chain for Travellers

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescription-only across Europe, but import rules, prices and supply vary sharply by country. Here is what travellers need to know.

GLP-1 medications in Europe: what actually changes country to country

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription-only in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany and the UK, but that shared regulatory status masks significant differences in price, availability, and what you are allowed to carry across a border.

This article covers the import quantity rules, country-by-country retail prices, and the cold-chain logistics you need to manage before and during your trip.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician before travelling with GLP-1 medications, adjusting your dose schedule, or attempting to obtain a local prescription abroad.

The supply landscape has stabilised but not evenly

Ozempic (semaglutide 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg) faced EMA-level shortage declarations from 2022 through to late 2024. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) followed as demand outpaced manufacturing. By mid-2025, EMA confirmed Ozempic supply had normalised across EU member states, though Wegovy and Mounjaro remain patchy in some markets.^[1]

Germany and France have the most consistent pharmacy stock for all three brands. Portugal and Italy have reliable Ozempic access but Wegovy availability remains limited outside major cities. Spain normalised Ozempic supply in October 2025.

The UK is outside the EU regulatory framework. The MHRA has separately approved Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. NHS prescribing for Wegovy is limited to specialist weight-management services.^[5] Private prescriptions are available at a significantly higher cost.

Import rules: how much can you carry in?

GLP-1 medications are not controlled substances under either the 1961 or 1971 UN Conventions. They are prescription-only medicines. That means import rules are governed by each country's personal-use quantity thresholds rather than narcotics permit requirements.

Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Germany all follow the EU framework for personal medicine imports. Under that framework, a personal supply of up to 90 days is generally accepted when accompanied by a prescription or a doctor's letter naming the medication, dose, and treatment duration. Carry original manufacturer packaging with the batch number visible.

The UK applies its own personal-use import rules post-Brexit. MHRA guidance allows a three-month personal supply with a valid prescription.^[6] No prior import licence is required for GLP-1 medications entering the UK for personal use.

One practical note: Ozempic and Wegovy pens are categorised as liquids by airport security. Insulin exemptions (which allow insulin through cabin security without the 100 ml liquid limit) apply explicitly to insulin. Confirm with the security authority at your departure airport whether your GLP-1 pens require a medical letter to clear the liquid rule.

Prices by country: the gap is larger than most people expect

GLP-1 retail prices are set nationally, not at EU level. A one-month supply of Ozempic 1 mg varies from roughly €90 (~$100) in Germany (with statutory insurance cover deducted) to over €150 (~$166) in the UK on a private prescription.

In Spain, Ozempic for type 2 diabetes is covered under the SNS formulary for eligible patients, meaning eligible Spanish residents pay a co-payment of roughly €6-€18 (~$7-$20) depending on income band. Private patients pay full retail, currently around €130 (~$145) per pen.^[2]

France reimburses Ozempic for type 2 diabetes through Assurance Maladie. The retail price without reimbursement sits at approximately €90-€110 (~$100-$122) per month. Wegovy is not yet reimbursed in France for weight management as of mid-2025.

Italy's AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) covers Ozempic for type 2 diabetes under the SSN at low or zero co-payment for entitled patients. Privately, expect to pay around €100-€140 (~$111-$155) per pen. Wegovy is not reimbursed under SSN.

Portugal's INFARMED has authorised Ozempic. SNS coverage for diabetes is available but can require prior authorisation from a specialist. Private retail sits around €100-€130 (~$111-$145) per pen.

Travellers using public health system access (EHIC/GHIC in EU countries) do not automatically gain access to subsidised GLP-1 prescriptions. Emergency and medically necessary care is covered; routine chronic disease prescribing for weight management generally is not.

Cold-chain logistics: this is where most people get it wrong

Unopened Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro pens must be stored at 2-8°C until first use. Once a pen is in use, Ozempic can be kept at room temperature below 30°C for up to 6 weeks. Wegovy and Mounjaro have similar post-first-use stability windows. Check your specific product's SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics) for the exact figure.^[3]

The failure point for most travellers is the transfer between home and hotel. A pen sitting in a checked bag in an unheated cargo hold can drop well below 0°C. Freezing degrades the medication and the pen itself may stop functioning.

Carry all pens in your hand luggage. Use an insulated medical travel case with a gel ice pack for the journey. Do not place the pack directly against the pen. Keep the pen at the recommended temperature range, not colder.

In summer, Spain (especially Andalusia and the Mediterranean coast), Portugal (Algarve), and southern Italy regularly see ambient temperatures above 35°C. If your hotel room air conditioning fails overnight, your in-use pen may still be safe if the room stays below 30°C, but check for cloudiness or particulates before each dose.

Pharmacies in France, Germany and the UK will generally refrigerate a spare pen for you if you ask, particularly at larger urban pharmacies. In Portugal and Italy this is less consistent. Always call ahead.

Can you get a local prescription if you run out?

A prescription transfer from your home country does not give you dispensing rights at a European pharmacy. Each of the six countries covered here requires a locally issued prescription for dispensing.

Within EU member states (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany), an EU cross-border prescription is legally valid at any EU pharmacy. However, the receiving pharmacy can decline to dispense if the medication is not available, not registered in that country, or if the pharmacist cannot verify the prescriber's credentials.

In the UK, an EU prescription does not carry the same legal dispensing right post-Brexit. A UK-registered prescriber must issue any dispensed prescription. Private telehealth services can issue a UK prescription on the basis of your medical records, but the consultation fee applies.

The safest approach is to bring your full supply for the trip. If you are travelling for more than three months, contact your prescriber before departure to arrange an extended supply and check that the quantity is within the personal-import threshold of your destination country. Read Nomedic's country guides for destination-specific information on local prescribing pathways.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide): the newest entry and the patchiest supply

Mounjaro received EMA approval in September 2023 for type 2 diabetes and was authorised for weight management (as Mounjaro) in the EU in 2024. National reimbursement decisions are made separately by each country. As of mid-2025, Germany has the most consistent Mounjaro pharmacy availability among the six countries. France, Italy, Spain and Portugal have reported intermittent stock at individual pharmacies. The UK's MHRA approved Mounjaro; NHS prescribing remains limited to specialist services.^[4]

Mounjaro pens have the same cold-chain requirements as semaglutide products. The in-use pen can be kept below 30°C for up to 21 days. Check the current product SmPC from Eli Lilly before travel, as these figures may be updated. Our Mounjaro travel guide can also be used as a resource for maintaining the cold-chain while abroad or in transit.

What to carry in your travel medical record

At customs and at any pharmacy where you are seeking an emergency supply, the documents that matter most are: your prescription naming the active ingredient (semaglutide or tirzepatide) and dose, and a doctor's letter in English explaining your diagnosis and the medical necessity of the medication.

An International Patient Summary (IPS) generated through Nomedic includes your current medications by their INN (International Nonproprietary Name), your diagnosis codes, and your prescriber details in a structured format that European healthcare providers can read directly from their own systems.

Brand names differ across borders. Ozempic and Wegovy carry the same brand names in all six countries. Mounjaro is also consistent. But if a pharmacy needs to verify your medication against their national database, the INN (semaglutide, tirzepatide) will always match, regardless of which country issued your prescription.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring Ozempic into Spain from outside the EU?

Yes, for personal use. Spain follows the EU personal-import framework, which accepts up to a 90-day supply with a valid prescription or doctor's letter. Carry the original manufacturer packaging and the prescription that names the active ingredient (semaglutide) and your dose.

Is Wegovy legal to bring into the UK?

Yes. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is MHRA-approved and legal to bring into the UK for personal use with a valid prescription. MHRA guidance allows a three-month personal supply. No import licence is required. Carry the prescription and original packaging.

Will my Ozempic pen be confiscated at airport security in Europe?

Ozempic and Wegovy pens contain liquid medication and are subject to cabin security liquid rules at European airports. Rules are set by individual national airport security authorities, not by IATA. Carry a letter from your prescriber explaining the medication is for personal medical use. Most European airports accept medical liquids above 100 ml when accompanied by appropriate documentation.

How long can an in-use Ozempic pen be kept at room temperature in a hot country?

An in-use Ozempic pen can be kept at room temperature below 30°C for up to 6 weeks, according to Novo Nordisk's product information. In southern European countries during summer, ambient temperatures regularly exceed 30°C, so you need active cooling (an insulated case) to keep the pen within the safe storage range.

How much does Ozempic cost in France without insurance?

Without French Assurance Maladie reimbursement, Ozempic costs approximately €90-€110 (~$100-$122) per month at retail. Reimbursement is available for type 2 diabetes patients registered with a French GP, but travellers on a short visit will generally pay the full retail price.

Can I get Mounjaro at a pharmacy in Italy if I run out?

Mounjaro is EMA-approved and registered in Italy, but pharmacy stock is intermittent as of mid-2025. You would also need a prescription issued by an Italian prescriber, as a foreign prescription does not automatically carry dispensing rights at an Italian pharmacy. Contact your prescriber before travel to arrange an adequate supply.