Semaglutide in France: Import Rules & Pharmacy

Quick reference

Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: Yes, sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus
Storage: Refrigerated (2–8°C) before first use; once opened, may be kept at room temperature below 30°C for up to 56 days
Max supply to carry: No fixed statutory cap for personal import; carry documentation for the quantity you bring
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead naming the INN (semaglutide), brand, dose, frequency, and quantity carried
Emergency alternative: Visit a French médecin généraliste or endocrinologue with your documentation to request a local prescription for Ozempic or Wegovy.

Travelling to France with semaglutide: what changes

Semaglutide is available in France under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, all sold by Novo Nordisk. All three require a valid French or foreign prescription to dispense. The key planning challenges are cold-chain management during transit, documenting your supply at customs, and navigating France's reimbursement rules if you need a local refill.^[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.

Documentation for travelling to France with semaglutide

France does not require an import permit for semaglutide, but French customs (Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects) advises travellers carrying prescription medication to carry a doctor's letter confirming the medical necessity.

Your letter should be in both your home language and, where possible, French, though a notarised translation is not legally required. Carrying original pharmacy labels on all packaging strengthens your position at the border.

What your doctor's letter must include

Full name matching your passport. Medication name: semaglutide (INN) and brand (Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus). Dose and frequency. Quantity carried and duration of trip. Condition (one word is sufficient). Doctor's signature, registration number, and clinic letterhead. A French-language version is helpful but not mandatory for entry.

No apostille or notarisation of your prescription is required under French customs rules. A standard letter on clinic letterhead is sufficient for personal-use quantities.

How much semaglutide to bring

France imposes no fixed quantity cap for personal-use prescription medication, but quantities must be consistent with the length of your stay. Bring your full trip supply plus roughly 20% extra to account for damage, spoilage, or delays. Refilling Ozempic or Wegovy at a French pharmacy as a non-resident is possible but not guaranteed, given intermittent supply across Europe.^[2]

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 in original packaging with pharmacy labels intact.

Packing and storing semaglutide for travel

Unopened Ozempic and Wegovy pens must be kept refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. Once a pen has been opened, it can be stored at room temperature below 30°C for up to 56 days. During transit, pack unopened pens in an insulated cool bag with a reusable ice pack, avoiding direct contact with ice. Paris' temperate climate rarely exceeds 30°C outside peak summer, but check forecasts for your specific travel dates.^[3]

Airport security with semaglutide

Ozempic and Wegovy pens are injectable medications and are therefore exempt from the 100 ml cabin liquid limit under EU security rules.^[6] Carry them in your hand luggage with their original packaging and pharmacy labels visible.

At security checkpoints in EU airports, declare injectable medication and needles separately to avoid delays. Rybelsus tablets are not subject to the liquid exemption but follow standard prescription tablet rules.

Customs and medication import rules for France

Semaglutide is not a controlled substance in France and does not require a customs declaration form or import permit. French customs rules permit travellers to bring prescription medication for personal use without prior authorisation, provided the quantity is proportionate to the stay and accompanied by a valid prescription or doctor's letter. If a customs officer questions your supply, present your doctor's letter, original packaging, and prescription.^[4]

Keep original packaging

Do not decant semaglutide pens into unlabelled cases. French customs can ask to verify the medication identity from the packaging. Pharmacy-labelled, original boxes take seconds to check and prevent delays.

Semaglutide availability in France

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are all authorised and sold in France. A local prescription is required for dispensing at any French pharmacy. Without social security affiliation, you will pay the full retail price, typically around €100–€180 (~$115–$206) per pen depending on dose and formulation. Ozempic has faced periodic supply constraints in France since 2023, so call ahead before relying on a local refill.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe semaglutide in France

Any French médecin généraliste (GP) can prescribe semaglutide; you do not need a specialist referral. Consultation fees for a GP without social security coverage run approximately €25–€50 (~$29–$57) at a standard sector 1 practice. English-speaking doctors are available in Paris and major cities through platforms such as Doctolib. Telemedicine consultations with French-registered doctors are also available and can generate a valid French prescription.^[5] See our France healthcare guide for more context on prescriber options.

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Storing semaglutide while in France

Store unopened pens in your hotel minibar fridge or ask front desk staff to store medication in a dedicated refrigerator. The EMA-approved summary of product characteristics confirms that in-use pens must not be stored above 30°C or exposed to direct sunlight.

Paris temperatures occasionally exceed 30°C during July and August heat waves; on those days, keep in-use pens in an insulated pouch away from windows. Never freeze semaglutide: a frozen pen must be discarded.^[9] For more information on maintaining the cold chain for semaglutide, refer to our GLP-1 travel guide.

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

If your medication is lost, stolen, or damaged, file a police report (for theft) and then go to any French pharmacy with your doctor's letter and original prescription. The pharmacist can confirm whether Ozempic or Wegovy is in stock and whether a local prescription is needed for dispensing.

If you run out unexpectedly, book a same-day appointment with a médecin généraliste via Doctolib or present to an urgent care centre (maison médicale de garde). French law allows a GP to write a new prescription for an ongoing treatment to avoid interruption. Bring all your documentation, including your home prescription, to speed the process.^[2]

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

I need semaglutide (Ozempic). / I have a prescription from my doctor. / Can you call a doctor? / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

For medical emergencies in France, call 15 (SAMU, the ambulance service) or 112 (the universal EU emergency number). Non-urgent medical advice is available by phone via the 116 117 number for out-of-hours GP services.

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Frequently asked questions

Is semaglutide legal to bring into France?

Yes, semaglutide is legal to bring into France for personal use. It is not a controlled substance and does not require an import permit, but you must carry a valid prescription or doctor's letter and keep the medication in its original packaging.

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

A doctor's letter is not legally required by French customs but is strongly recommended. It confirms the medication is prescribed to you personally, helps at airport security, and speeds any interaction with French customs or pharmacists.

Is Ozempic available in France pharmacies in 2026?

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are all authorised in France. Supply of injectable semaglutide has been intermittent since 2023 due to global demand. Call ahead to pharmacies in your destination city to confirm stock before depending on a local refill.

Is Wegovy available in France?

Yes, Wegovy (the higher-dose semaglutide pen) is authorised and sold in France under the same brand name. Like Ozempic and Rybelsus, it requires a French prescription for dispensing and availability may vary by pharmacy.

What if I run out of Ozempic while in France?

Book a same-day appointment with a French GP via Doctolib or visit a maison médicale de garde. Bring your home prescription and doctor's letter. The GP can write a French prescription, which allows you to purchase semaglutide at any pharmacy that has it in stock.

Can I buy Ozempic at a French pharmacy without a local prescription?

French pharmacies require a prescription to dispense Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus. A prescription issued in another country is generally not accepted directly; you will need a French prescription, which a GP can issue after a brief consultation.

How much does Ozempic cost in France without insurance?

Without French social security reimbursement, expect to pay approximately €100–€180 (~$115–$206) per pen depending on dose and formulation. Travellers without French social security affiliation pay the full retail price at the point of dispensing.

Related practical guide

GLP-1 Medications Abroad: Cold Chain Failures, Customs Traps and Approval Gaps

Your Ozempic pen survives the flight but gets confiscated at the border. Here is how cold chain failures, customs rules, and approval gaps catch GLP-1 travellers off guard.

Semaglutide in France: Import Rules, Brands and Pharmacy Access