Melatonin in France: Circadin, Rules & Pharmacies

Quick reference

Drug class: Hormone / sleep aid
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: Yes, prescription required in France
Available locally: Yes, sold as Circadin (2 mg prolonged-release); requires a French prescription
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C; protect from moisture and light
Max supply to carry: No statutory quantity cap for personal import; bring enough for your stay plus a buffer
Key document: Doctor's letter in French or English stating medication name (INN and brand), dose, quantity, and diagnosis
Emergency alternative: Visit a French GP (médecin généraliste) for a local Circadin prescription; consultation costs approximately €26.50 (~$31) with a European Health Insurance Card.

Melatonin in France: what changes when you travel with it

Melatonin, sold in France under the brand name Circadin (and internationally as Slenyto), is prescription-only in France under ANSM regulations, unlike countries where it is available over the counter. You cannot walk into a French pharmacy and buy it without a valid prescription. Bring your full supply from home and carry a doctor's letter.^[1]

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to France with melatonin

France does not require a formal import permit for melatonin because it is not a controlled substance under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. However, because melatonin requires a prescription for dispensing in France, customs officers may query your supply if you are not carrying supporting documentation. A doctor's letter in French or English resolves that query immediately.^[2]

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to renew your prescription and request a travel letter covering your full stay.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
No import permit is required for melatonin entering France. Use this window to confirm your pharmacy can dispense enough supply for the trip plus a buffer.Prescription supply
No permit application needed; focus on quantity.
T-7 days
If your doctor's letter is in a language other than English or French, arrange a certified translation. French customs accept both languages.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents and keep them in your carry-on. Pack medication in original packaging with the pharmacy dispensing label clearly visible.
T-0 (border)
Melatonin is not a controlled substance, so proactive declaration is not mandatory. Keep documents accessible in case customs asks about prescription medication.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication name (melatonin and brand Circadin if applicable), dose and frequency, quantity carried, diagnosis (one word or ICD code), doctor's signature and registration number, and clinic letterhead. A letter in English or French is accepted. No notarisation or apostille is required for personal medication quantities.

French customs accept doctor's letters in French or English without notarisation for personal-use quantities of non-controlled prescription medication. Translation is only necessary if your letter is in another language.

How much melatonin to bring

France imposes no statutory quantity cap on melatonin for personal import, provided the quantity is consistent with personal use. Bring enough for your entire trip plus at least a 20% buffer in case of delays. A local refill requires a GP consultation, which adds time and cost, so self-sufficiency is the safer strategy. Travel insurance does not reliably reimburse the cost of replacing prescription medication lost abroad.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original packaging with pharmacy labels visible.

Packing and storing melatonin for travel

Circadin (melatonin 2 mg prolonged-release) should be stored below 25°C and protected from moisture. No refrigeration is required. France's summer temperatures in southern regions can exceed 35°C; keep tablets in an insulated pouch or a cool compartment of your bag rather than leaving them in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill. Original blister packaging provides the best moisture and light protection during transit.^[3]

At the airport and border

Airport security with melatonin

Melatonin tablets are solid medication and are not subject to the 100 ml liquid restriction. EU airport security rules permit prescription medication in carry-on baggage in quantities consistent with personal use. Keep tablets in their original blister pack inside the dispensing box so security officers can identify them quickly. You do not need to declare melatonin at security screening, but having your doctor's letter accessible saves time if you are asked.

Customs and medication import rules for France

French customs (Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects) require that prescription medication be accompanied by a prescription or medical certificate for the duration of the stay. Melatonin is not a controlled substance and no import permit is needed. If an officer queries your supply, present your doctor's letter and original packaging. Quantities exceeding a three-month supply may be questioned and should be supported by a letter explaining the extended need.^[4]

Keep original packaging

French customs officers identify medications by the box label and pharmacy dispensing sticker. Loose tablets in an unlabelled container are harder to verify. Keeping Circadin in its original packaging prevents delays at the border and at pharmacies if you need local assistance.

While in country

Melatonin availability in France

Brands of melatonin sold in France

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Circadin	Short-term management of jet lag and sleep disorders in adults aged 55+	2 mg prolonged-release tablet	Available at licensed French pharmacies; prescription required

Circadin is the only melatonin product authorised by ANSM for sale in France. Over-the-counter melatonin supplements, widely sold in other countries, are not permitted for retail sale in French pharmacies. A valid French prescription is required to obtain Circadin locally. Without a prescription, you cannot purchase it, making it essential to bring a sufficient supply from home.^[1]

Finding a doctor who can prescribe melatonin in France

Any French GP (médecin généraliste) can prescribe Circadin. The standard consultation fee is €26.50 (~$31) for a GP visit under the French Assurance Maladie tariff. Travellers with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC or GHIC) are entitled to reimbursement at the standard French rate. Private English-speaking doctors are available in Paris and other major cities at higher rates, typically €80 to €150 (~$93 to $175). ^[5]

Telemedicine platforms such as Doctolib allow you to book a remote consultation with a French-licensed GP, which may be faster than attending a clinic in person.^[5] For more prescriber options, refer to Nomedic's France healthcare guide.

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Storing melatonin while in France

Circadin tablets remain stable at room temperature below 25°C with no refrigeration required. In southern France during July and August, ambient temperatures regularly exceed 30°C. Store tablets in the coolest part of your accommodation, such as an interior cupboard away from windows, and avoid leaving them in a parked car. Hotel rooms with air conditioning are adequate; no special cold-chain equipment is needed.^[3]

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your melatonin in France

If your medication is lost or stolen, report the theft to local police (dial 17) to obtain a written statement for your travel insurer. Contact your travel insurance emergency assistance line immediately; some policies reimburse the cost of a replacement consultation and prescription.

If your supply runs out, book a GP appointment via Doctolib or attend a walk-in medical centre (maison médicale de garde) to obtain a local Circadin prescription. French pharmacies operate a night pharmacy (pharmacie de garde) rota, and your nearest on-duty pharmacy can be found via the 3237 directory service or by asking any pharmacy in the area.

“J'ai besoin de mélatonine. / J'ai une ordonnance de mon médecin. / Pouvez-vous appeler un médecin ? / Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ?”

I need melatonin. / I have a prescription from my doctor. / Can you call a doctor? / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

For medical emergencies in France, dial 15 (SAMU ambulance) or 112 (universal emergency number). Non-urgent GP advice is available via the 3966 téléconsultation service.^[6]

Your medication details, ready to share

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Frequently asked questions

Is melatonin legal in France?

Melatonin is legal in France but restricted to prescription-only status under ANSM regulations. You can bring your personal supply legally; you cannot buy it over the counter in a French pharmacy without a valid prescription.

Can I bring melatonin into France from another country?

Yes. Melatonin is not a controlled substance, so no import permit is required. Carry your supply in original packaging with a doctor's letter confirming the prescription for the duration of your stay.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly to France with melatonin?

A doctor's letter is strongly recommended. French customs can ask for proof that prescription medication is for personal use, and a letter on clinic letterhead resolves that quickly. It is not legally mandatory for non-controlled medication, but travelling without one creates unnecessary risk of delays.

Is melatonin available over the counter in French pharmacies?

No. The only authorised melatonin product in France is Circadin (2 mg prolonged-release), and it is available only with a French prescription. Over-the-counter melatonin supplements are not permitted for retail sale in France.

What if I run out of melatonin while in France?

Book a GP consultation via Doctolib or a walk-in maison médicale de garde to get a local Circadin prescription. A standard GP visit costs approximately €26.50 (~$31) and the prescription can be filled at any French pharmacy.

Is Circadin the same as the melatonin I take at home?

Circadin contains the same active ingredient (melatonin) as products sold under other names internationally, including Slenyto in Germany, Ireland, and Spain, and generic melatonin products sold over the counter elsewhere. The French Circadin formulation is a 2 mg prolonged-release tablet, so confirm the dose matches your usual prescription before switching.

Does the EHIC or GHIC cover the cost of a Circadin prescription in France?

The EHIC or GHIC covers medically necessary GP consultations at the standard French tariff rate, meaning you pay the same co-payment a French resident would. It does not automatically cover the full cost of prescription medication, but the French reimbursement system (typically 65% of the approved price for Circadin) applies to eligible cardholders.

Melatonin in France: Circadin, Prescription Rules and Pharmacies