Melatonin in Germany: Circadin, Slenyto & Rx Rules

Quick reference

Drug class: Hormone / sleep aid
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: Yes, prescription required in Germany
Available locally: Yes, sold as Circadin and Slenyto
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, protect from moisture
Max supply to carry: No statutory import limit; carry what your prescription covers
Key document: Doctor's letter with INN, dose, quantity, and diagnosis
Emergency alternative: Visit a German GP (Hausarzt) for a private prescription; Circadin and Slenyto are stocked at most Apotheken.

Melatonin in Germany: what changes when you travel

Melatonin, sold in Germany as Circadin (prolonged-release 2 mg) and Slenyto (prolonged-release 1 mg and 5 mg), is prescription-only under German pharmaceutical law. Unlike many countries where melatonin is sold over the counter, you cannot walk into a German Apotheke and purchase it without a valid prescription.^[1]

This guide covers what documentation to carry, how much to bring, local brand availability, and what to do if your supply runs out in Germany.

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 Germany with melatonin

Germany does not require an import permit for melatonin, but you should carry a doctor's letter because melatonin is a prescription-only medicine under the Arzneimittelgesetz and customs officers may question why you are carrying it without a German prescription. The letter should be in German or English and include your full name, the INN (melatonin), brand name, dose, quantity carried, and your doctor's signature and registration number.^[2]

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to renew your prescription and request a doctor's letter covering the duration of your trip.Doctor's letter
T-14 days
Confirm the letter includes your full name, INN (melatonin), local brand name, dose, daily frequency, total quantity, your diagnosis (one word is sufficient), and the doctor's registration number.Prescriber letter
No German import permit is required, so this step replaces any permit application.
T-7 days
Request a German or English version of the letter. German customs accepts both languages; no notarisation or apostille is required.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print the letter and your original prescription. Pack melatonin in its original labelled packaging. Do not decant tablets into an unlabelled container.
T-0 (border)
Keep documents accessible in your hand luggage. Melatonin is not a controlled substance, so proactive declaration is not mandatory, but present your letter promptly if asked by customs.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication name (INN: melatonin; brand: Circadin or Slenyto), dose and frequency, quantity carried, diagnosis (one word), doctor's signature and registration number, clinic letterhead. A letter in German or English is accepted by German authorities; no notarisation is required.

A letter in German or English is accepted by German customs and pharmacies. Notarisation and apostille are not required for personal medication.

How much melatonin to bring

Germany sets no statutory quantity limit on personal imports of non-controlled prescription medicines, but EU customs guidance recommends carrying a quantity consistent with personal use, typically matching the length of your trip. Bring 20% more than you need to account for delays or extended stays. Refilling melatonin in Germany requires a German prescription, so do not rely on purchasing locally.

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.

Packing and storing melatonin for travel

Circadin and Slenyto should be stored at room temperature below 25°C, protected from moisture. No refrigeration is required, which simplifies packing. Keep tablets in their original blister packs inside a sealed bag to guard against humidity during transit.^[3]

At the airport and border

Airport security with melatonin

Melatonin tablets are solid and pass through security screening without any special declaration. The EU aviation security framework does not restrict solid oral medications in carry-on luggage. Keep the medication in its labelled packaging so security staff can identify it without opening the pack.^[4]

Customs and medication import rules for Germany

Melatonin is not a narcotic or psychotropic substance under German or EU law, so no prior import permit is needed to bring it into Germany. Carry your doctor's letter and original prescription to demonstrate the medication is for personal use. If a customs officer questions the tablets, present your documentation calmly; melatonin is a recognised prescription medicine and the situation resolves quickly with paperwork.^[5]

Keep original packaging

German customs officers are more likely to question medication that has been removed from its labelled blister pack or bottle. Keep Circadin or Slenyto in its original packaging with the pharmacy label and leaflet intact. This applies to both hand luggage and checked bags.

While in country

Melatonin availability in Germany

Brands of melatonin sold in Germany

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Circadin	Insomnia in adults 55+	Prolonged-release tablet 2 mg	Widely stocked at Apotheken; reliable supply
Slenyto	Insomnia in children and adolescents with autism or Smith-Magenis syndrome	Prolonged-release tablet 1 mg and 5 mg	Available at Apotheken; specialist prescription typically required

Both Circadin and Slenyto are dispensed exclusively at licensed Apotheken (pharmacies) in Germany and require a valid prescription. For more on Berlin's pharmacy network, see the Berlin healthcare guide.^[6]

Finding a doctor who can prescribe melatonin in Germany

A German GP (Hausarzt) can issue a private prescription (Privatrezept) for melatonin during a standard consultation. Private consultations for uninsured travellers typically cost €60 to €120 (~$70 to $140) depending on the practice. Many city-centre practices have English-speaking staff. Telemedicine platforms such as Teleclinic and KRY operate in Germany and can issue a private prescription after a video consultation, often within 24 hours.^[7]

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Storing melatonin while in Germany

Germany's temperate climate poses no storage challenge for melatonin tablets. Circadin and Slenyto should be stored below 25°C, away from direct light and moisture, conditions a standard hotel room satisfies year-round. Summer temperatures in Germany can occasionally reach 35°C outdoors; keep medication out of direct sunlight and away from car dashboards or windowsills.^[3]

Emergencies

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

If your melatonin is lost or stolen, report the loss to local police and obtain a crime reference number for your travel insurer. Then book a GP appointment or use a telemedicine service to obtain a Privatrezept for a replacement supply of Circadin or Slenyto.

If you run out unexpectedly, visit any Apotheke and ask for a referral to a nearby Hausarzt. Melatonin is not a controlled substance in Germany, so a GP can issue a same-day private prescription without additional authorisation. German pharmacies are required by law to stock or order authorised medicines quickly, typically within 24 hours.

“Ich brauche Melatonin. / Ich habe ein Rezept. / Bitte rufen Sie einen Arzt. / Wo ist die nächste Apotheke?”

I need melatonin. / I have a prescription. / Please call a doctor. / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

The emergency number in Germany is 112 for ambulance and fire, and 110 for police. For non-emergency medical advice, call the 24-hour medical helpline on 116 117.

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Frequently asked questions

Is melatonin legal in Germany?

Melatonin is legal in Germany but available only on prescription. It is not a controlled substance, so no import permit is required, but you must carry a doctor's letter if bringing a personal supply from abroad.

Can I bring melatonin into Germany without a prescription?

You can bring your existing supply into Germany without a German prescription, provided you carry a doctor's letter from your home prescriber confirming the medication, dose, and quantity. German customs does not require an import permit for melatonin, but the letter demonstrates the supply is for personal use.

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

A doctor's letter is strongly recommended. Melatonin is prescription-only in Germany, so customs officers may question a personal supply without supporting documentation. The letter should state your name, the INN (melatonin), brand, dose, quantity, and your doctor's registration number.

Is melatonin available over the counter in Germany?

No. Melatonin is prescription-only in Germany and cannot be purchased over the counter. Circadin (2 mg prolonged-release) and Slenyto (1 mg and 5 mg) are the authorised brands, dispensed only at Apotheken with a valid prescription.

What if I run out of melatonin in Germany?

Visit a local Hausarzt (GP) and ask for a private prescription (Privatrezept) for Circadin or Slenyto. A private consultation costs approximately €60 to €120 (~$70 to $140). German Apotheken can dispense the medication the same day once you have the prescription.

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

Circadin contains the same active ingredient, melatonin, in a prolonged-release 2 mg formulation. It is the most widely dispensed melatonin brand in Germany and is also sold under the same name in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Norway, and Australia. If you take a different dose or immediate-release formulation at home, confirm the equivalence with a German GP before switching.

Can children's melatonin (Slenyto) be purchased in Germany?

Slenyto (1 mg and 5 mg prolonged-release) is authorised in Germany for paediatric use and is available at Apotheken on a specialist prescription. It is also sold under the same name in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and Italy. A paediatric neurologist or psychiatrist prescription is typically required for initial dispensing.

Melatonin in Germany: Circadin, Slenyto and Prescription Rules