Semaglutide in Germany: Ozempic, Wegovy & Access

Quick reference

Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: Yes, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are all sold in Germany
Storage: Refrigerated 2°C to 8°C before first use; after first use, store below 30°C for up to 56 days
Max supply to carry: No statutory quantity cap for personal import; carry what is documented in your prescription
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead naming the INN (semaglutide), brand, dose, and quantity carried
Emergency alternative: Visit any German Apotheke with your prescription and doctor's letter; Ozempic and Wegovy are available but may require an order

Travelling to Germany with semaglutide: what changes

Semaglutide is sold in Germany under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, all requiring a valid prescription from a German-registered doctor. Semaglutide is not a controlled substance in Germany^[1], so no import permit is needed, but cold-chain integrity during transit is the main practical risk.

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 Germany with semaglutide

Germany does not classify semaglutide as a controlled substance, so no import permit is required for personal quantities^[2]. You should still carry a doctor's letter and your original prescription to satisfy customs queries and to obtain a local refill if needed. For a practical pre-travel checklist for import requirements, see our diabetes in Germany guide.

What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication INN (semaglutide) and brand name (Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus), dose and frequency, quantity being carried, diagnosis (one word or ICD code is sufficient), doctor's signature and registration number, and clinic letterhead. A translation into German is not legally required but is practical if German customs staff question the supply.

A German translation of your letter is courteous but not a legal requirement for entry. Keep the original-language version as well, since pharmacies may request it to verify the brand and dose.

How much semaglutide to bring

Germany imposes no statutory quantity cap on personal supplies of prescription medication that is not a controlled substance. Bring enough for your full trip, plus a buffer of at least one extra dose in case of travel delays. Ozempic and Wegovy have faced intermittent supply shortages across Europe^[3], and the issue has mostly been resolved, but this does not mean you can simply source your primary supply locally. Check with your insurer before travel, as most travel policies do not cover routine prescription refills abroad.

Split your supply between bags

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

Packing and storing semaglutide for travel

Unopened Ozempic pens must be kept refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. Once a pen has been used, it can be stored below 30°C for up to 56 days^[4] without refrigeration. During transit, use an insulated medication wallet or a small cooler with an ice pack to protect unopened pens.

Avoid direct contact between the pen and the ice. Berlin's temperate climate (average summer highs around 24°C) means hotel-room storage of an in-use pen is generally safe. Our GLP-1 medications in Europe guide discusses cold-chain strategies and other region-specific advice in detail.

Airport security with semaglutide

Injectable semaglutide pens are exempt from the standard 100 ml liquid limit in carry-on baggage when accompanied by supporting medication documentation. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency and national airport security bodies^[5] confirm that prescription injectable medications may travel in the cabin. Declare the pens proactively at the security lane and show your doctor's letter if asked. Needles and sharps should be capped and remain in original packaging to avoid delays.

Customs and medication import rules for Germany

Germany's customs authority (Zoll) permits personal quantities of prescription medication without a special import permit^[2] provided the quantity is consistent with personal use for the duration of the stay. Semaglutide is not a narcotic or psychotropic substance, so the stricter rules under the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG) do not apply. Keep your medication in original packaging with pharmacy labels and carry your doctor's letter; this is sufficient if Zoll questions your supply.

Keep original packaging at all times

Customs officers verify medication identity using pharmacy labels on original boxes and pens. Decanting into unlabelled cases or loose bags can prompt unnecessary scrutiny. Rybelsus tablets should remain in their blister packs with the original carton.

Semaglutide availability in Germany

All three brands require a prescription from a German-registered doctor to be dispensed at an Apotheke (pharmacy). EMA shortages of semaglutide injectable pens were declared across the EU and, while supplies have improved, individual Apotheken may need one to two business days to order stock.

Without statutory health insurance (GKV) coverage, Ozempic costs approximately €150-€200 (~$172-$229) per pen; Wegovy costs approximately €250-€300 (~$287-$344) per monthly supply; Rybelsus tablets cost approximately €80-€120 (~$92-$138) per 28-day pack.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe semaglutide in Germany

Any German Hausarzt (general practitioner) or diabetologist can prescribe semaglutide. Travellers without German statutory insurance pay private rates under GOÄ billing; a standard consultation typically costs €50-€90 (~$57-$103).

English-speaking GPs are readily available in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Telemedicine platforms registered in Germany can also issue a prescription, which can then be taken to any Apotheke.

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Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in Germany.

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Storing semaglutide while in Germany

Request a mini-bar or dedicated fridge space from your hotel for unopened pens. Most hotels accommodate this at no charge. If staying in a self-catering property, confirm the fridge holds 2°C to 8°C using a small thermometer.

An in-use pen stored below 30°C remains effective for 56 days^[4], so Germany's temperate summers pose minimal risk for pens already in use. If the power goes out and refrigeration is lost, note the time and contact a pharmacist: a pen that has been unrefrigerated for under 56 days and has not exceeded 30°C can still be used.

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

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately (Notruf: 110 for police). The report supports your travel insurer's claim and helps a German doctor justify a replacement prescription. Contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line as the next step.

If you run out unexpectedly, visit any Apotheke with your doctor's letter and prescription. The pharmacist can contact a local GP to issue a German prescription, which the Apotheke will fill. For broader guidance on Germany's healthcare system, see Germany's healthcare guide.

“Ich brauche mein Medikament Semaglutid (Ozempic). Können Sie mir helfen, einen Arzt zu finden? Wo ist die nächste Apotheke?”

I need my medication semaglutide (Ozempic). Can you help me find a doctor? Where is the nearest pharmacy?

For medical emergencies in Germany, call 112 (ambulance and fire) or 110 (police). Most emergency departments in German university hospitals, such as Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, have English-speaking staff.^[6]

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Frequently asked questions

Can I bring semaglutide into Germany from outside the EU?

Yes. Germany's customs authority (Zoll) permits personal quantities of prescription medication without a special import permit, provided the amount is consistent with the duration of your stay. Carry your original packaging, pharmacy labels, prescription, and a doctor's letter in your carry-on bag.

Is Ozempic legal in Germany?

Yes. Ozempic is legal in Germany. It is an approved prescription medication and is not listed under Germany's Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG) or any controlled substance register. You may legally use, carry, and obtain Ozempic in Germany with a valid prescription; no special import permit or narcotics declaration is required for a personal supply.

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

A doctor's letter is not legally mandatory to board a flight with Ozempic, but it is strongly recommended. It allows security staff to confirm the medication is prescribed, supports any customs query on arrival in Germany, and is essential if you need to obtain a local replacement prescription during your trip.

Is semaglutide available at German pharmacies without a local prescription?

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are all stocked at German Apotheken but require a prescription from a German-registered doctor. A foreign prescription alone is not accepted for dispensing; you will need a German doctor to issue a local prescription based on your documentation.

How much does semaglutide cost in Germany without insurance?

Without German statutory health insurance (GKV), Ozempic typically costs approximately €150–€200 (~$172–$229) per pen at private rates. Wegovy costs approximately €250–€300 (~$287–$344) per monthly supply. Rybelsus oral tablets cost approximately €80–€120 (~$92–$138) per 28-day pack. Prices vary by Apotheke and are subject to change.

Is Wegovy available in Germany?

Yes. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly pen) has been launched in Germany. Availability across individual Apotheken is improving but is not yet universal; call ahead or ask the pharmacist to place an order one to two business days in advance. A German prescription is required.

Is Rybelsus available in Germany?

Yes. Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) is available in Germany at Apotheken and generally has more reliable stock than the injectable pens. A German prescription is required. Rybelsus tablets are easier to transport than pens as they do not require refrigeration before or after opening.

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 Germany: Ozempic, Wegovy and Pharmacy Access