Benzodiazepines in Portugal: Controls, Brands and Pharmacy Access

All benzodiazepines are controlled psychotropic substances in Portugal. A medical document and up to a 30-day supply are required under Schengen rules.

Quick reference

Drug class: Controlled psychotropic substances (1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, INCB Green List; implemented in Portugal under Decree-Law 15/93)
Controlled substance: Yes, all eight active ingredients are Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and controlled under Portuguese Decree-Law 15/93. No active ingredient in this class is uncontrolled in Portugal.
Prescription required: Yes. All benzodiazepines require a Portuguese prescription for local dispensing. A medical document justifying personal use is mandatory for import under Schengen Article 75.
Available locally: Alprazolam: yes (Xanax, generic). Diazepam: yes (Valium, generic). Clonazepam: yes (Rivotril). Lorazepam: yes (generic). Oxazepam: yes (generic). Temazepam: limited retail availability, verify ahead with INFARMED. Midazolam: primarily hospital-only in Portugal. Triazolam (Halcion): not confirmed as available in Portuguese retail pharmacies, bring your full supply.
Storage: Store below 25°C, away from humidity and direct light. Keep in original pharmacy-labelled packaging at all times. No refrigeration required for any oral formulation in this class.
Max supply to carry: Up to 30 days under Schengen Article 75. A Schengen Medical Certificate is strongly recommended alongside your prescriber's letter.
Key document: Prescriber's letter on headed paper naming the INN, brand, dose, frequency, and trip duration. Schengen Medical Certificate from your departure country's competent authority for each controlled substance carried.
Emergency alternative: If your specific medication is unavailable locally, consult a Portuguese psychiatrist or neurologist, never switch between benzodiazepines without medical supervision, as doses and durations of action differ significantly across the class.

Benzodiazepine options in Portugal

Active ingredient	Available locally?	Local brand(s)	Controlled status	Prescription required?	Max supply
Alprazolam	Yes	Xanax (Pfizer), generic (Mylan, Sandoz)	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)
Diazepam	Yes	Valium, generic	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)
Clonazepam	Yes	Rivotril (Roche)	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)
Lorazepam	Yes	Generic (verify brand at farmácia)	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)
Oxazepam	Yes	Generic	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)
Temazepam	Limited	Verify availability with INFARMED before travel	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)
Midazolam	Hospital-only	Hospital setting only; not retail	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes (specialist)	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)
Triazolam	Not confirmed	Halcion, retail availability not confirmed; bring full supply	1971 Convention Schedule IV; Decree-Law 15/93	Yes	30 days (Schengen Art. 75)

Benzodiazepines in Portugal: what changes when you travel

Portugal controls all eight benzodiazepines in this class, including alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Rivotril), lorazepam, temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, and triazolam, as psychotropic substances under Decree-Law 15/93, which implements the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Every active ingredient in this class sits on the same controlled schedule in Portugal, there is no uncontrolled option within the benzodiazepine family here.^[1]

Portugal has one of the highest benzodiazepine utilisation rates in Europe, meaning the medications are well-known to pharmacists and general practitioners. However, local dispensing still requires a Portuguese prescription regardless of what you bring from home.^[2]

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 Portugal with benzodiazepines

Under Schengen Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention, travellers crossing into Portugal with a controlled psychotropic for personal medical use must carry a medical document justifying that use. A Schengen Medical Certificate, issued by your departure country's competent authority, is strongly recommended in addition to your prescriber's letter. INFARMED, Portugal's national medicines regulator, supervises controlled substance import authorisations and can be consulted at infarmed.pt before you travel.^[4]^[3]

The INCB recommends a separate certificate for each controlled substance when you carry more than one benzodiazepine. If you take alprazolam and clonazepam together, each must be listed on its own documentation. EU/EEA prescriptions may be accepted at Portuguese farmácias in principle, but a locally issued prescription simplifies the dispensing process considerably for controlled substances.^[5]

What your doctor's letter must include

Full name as on your passport. Medication name (INN and brand). Dose and frequency. Total quantity carried. Diagnosis (one word or brief term is sufficient). Doctor's signature and registration number on clinic letterhead. If you carry more than one benzodiazepine, each must be listed separately. A Portuguese or English version is ideal; if your letter is in another language, a certified translation is advisable.

Prescriptions from outside the EU will not be accepted at a Portuguese pharmacy for subsidised or controlled-substance dispensing. If your trip extends beyond 30 days, consult a Portuguese psychiatrist or general practitioner to obtain a local prescription before your import supply runs out.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your pre-travel appointment.

If my specific benzodiazepine is not available at retail pharmacies in Portugal, which alternative within the class, if any, would be clinically appropriate for me, and can you note that in my letter?
If a Portuguese doctor needs to issue a local prescription for me, what information should I give them about my current dose and formulation to ensure safe continuity?
Can you write my letter to include both the INN and brand name, your registration number, and the exact quantity I will carry, as required by Schengen documentation rules?
My trip is longer than 30 days, what should I arrange before I leave to ensure I have a legal supply for the full duration?
If I am unable to reach you from Portugal, who in your practice can authorise or confirm my prescription details for a local doctor?

How much benzodiazepine to bring

The Schengen Area caps personal import of controlled psychotropics at a maximum of 30 days' supply per substance. This limit applies to every benzodiazepine in the class equally. Bring exactly what you need for your trip duration, with a small buffer of 3 to 5 days in case of travel disruption. If your stay exceeds 30 days, arrange a consultation with a Portuguese doctor before you leave home.^[3]

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in your hand luggage and a backup dose for 2 to 3 days in your checked bag. Keep both portions in original packaging with pharmacy labels intact. Do not transfer tablets into unmarked containers, as this can complicate customs or security checks.

Packing and storing benzodiazepines for travel

All oral benzodiazepines in this class should be stored below 25°C, away from direct light and moisture. Portugal's summer temperatures in Lisbon and the Algarve regularly exceed 30°C outdoors; keep medication in a cool interior bag or hotel room, not in a car or beach bag. Original blister packs or pharmacy bottles protect against humidity and maintain the pharmacy label needed for any customs check.

No benzodiazepine in this class requires refrigeration. However, if your medication comes in a liquid formulation (for example, midazolam oral solution prescribed for home use), check the product information for specific storage conditions and carry a note from your prescriber confirming the formulation type.

At the airport and border

Airport security with benzodiazepines

All oral benzodiazepines pass through airport security in hand luggage without special liquid-exemption rules, they are solid tablets or capsules and are not subject to the 100 ml liquid restriction. Carry your prescriber's letter and Schengen Medical Certificate in the same bag as your medication so you can present them immediately if asked. Keep tablets in the original labelled packaging rather than a pill organiser to avoid questions at the security lane.

If you carry a liquid formulation of a benzodiazepine (such as a midazolam oral solution), declare it separately at the security checkpoint. Liquid medications for a documented medical condition are exempt from the standard 100 ml cabin-baggage limit at EU airports, including Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO), provided you present the supporting prescription or prescriber's letter.

Customs and import rules for benzodiazepines in Portugal

Portugal is a Schengen member state. Under Portuguese Law 9/2023 and Decree-Law 15/93, travellers crossing the Portuguese border with a controlled psychotropic may carry a quantity not exceeding 30 days of treatment for ^[3]^[6]personal use, provided they hold the required medical document.

Declare your medication proactively at customs if a customs officer asks, and present your documentation without waiting to be searched. Mailing benzodiazepines to a Portuguese address by post is prohibited and may result in confiscation.^[6]^[3]

Controlled psychotropic warning

All benzodiazepines are controlled psychotropic substances in Portugal under Decree-Law 15/93 and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Carrying any benzodiazepine without a medical document justifying personal use exposes you to customs detention and potential confiscation. Carry your prescriber's letter and, where possible, a Schengen Medical Certificate for each controlled substance in your supply. The INCB recommends a separate certificate per substance when more than one is carried.

While in country

Benzodiazepine availability in Portugal

Alprazolam is widely available in Portugal as Xanax (Pfizer) and generic versions from Mylan and Sandoz. Diazepam is stocked at most farmácias as Valium and in generic form. Clonazepam is dispensed as Rivotril (Roche), which is registered in Portugal.

Lorazepam and oxazepam are available in generic form; confirm the brand name at the counter when you arrive. Temazepam has limited retail availability, check directly with INFARMED before you travel if this is your medication. Midazolam is dispensed in a hospital setting only and is not available at retail farmácias. Triazolam (Halcion) is not confirmed as stocked at retail level in Portugal; bring your full supply from home.^[2]^[7]

All benzodiazepines require a Portuguese prescription for local dispensing, regardless of which country issued your original prescription. A private psychiatry or general practice consultation typically costs €60–€150 (~$70–$174) without insurance. For a broader overview of the Portuguese healthcare system, see Portugal's travel guide.

Pharmacy phrases for Portugal

These phrases are useful at the farmácia counter when asking about your benzodiazepine by INN or brand name.

“Tomo um benzodiazepínico, tem este medicamento disponível?”

I take a benzodiazepine, do you have this medication available?

“Existe um equivalente genérico para [nome do medicamento]?”

Is there a generic equivalent for [medication name]?

“Preciso de receita médica portuguesa para levantar este medicamento?”

Do I need a Portuguese prescription to collect this medication?

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe benzodiazepines in Portugal

A general practitioner (GP) can prescribe many benzodiazepines in Portugal for acute situations, but a psychiatrist or neurologist is the standard prescriber for longer-term or specialist indications such as seizure control. Because benzodiazepines are controlled substances, a Portuguese doctor must issue the prescription before a farmácia can dispense locally.

English-speaking GPs and psychiatrists are available at private hospital groups in Lisbon (Hospital da Luz, CUF, Lusíadas) and Porto (Hospital Lusíadas Porto, CUF Porto). Private consultation fees typically range from €60 to €150 (~$70–$174).

EU and EEA citizens holding a valid EHIC or GHIC card can access medically necessary care through the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) at the same co-payment rates as Portuguese residents. SNS waiting times for non-emergency psychiatry appointments can run several weeks; private care is the practical route for travellers needing timely access.

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Storing benzodiazepines while in Portugal

Hotel rooms in Portugal can reach 28–32°C in summer without air conditioning. Keep tablets in a cool interior drawer or the hotel safe, not on a windowsill or in a bag left in sunlight. If your accommodation is an Airbnb without climate control, a small insulated bag placed away from direct sun is sufficient for oral tablets, none of these formulations require refrigeration.

Keep the original pharmacy-labelled packaging intact throughout your stay. Portuguese customs or police may request documentation if you are stopped; original packaging with a pharmacy label matching your prescriber's letter removes ambiguity. Do not decant tablets into unmarked containers even for day trips.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your benzodiazepines in Portugal

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report (Polícia de Segurança Pública, PSP) immediately. The report number is required by both your travel insurer and any Portuguese doctor who will prescribe a replacement. Contact your prescriber at home as soon as possible so they can confirm your prescription details to a local clinician. Refer to our benzodiazepines travel guide for more information on steps to take if your supply is lost or confiscated abroad.

Because benzodiazepines are controlled psychotropics, a Portuguese doctor must issue a new local prescription before a farmácia can dispense a replacement. Go directly to a private clinic or hospital emergency department with your police report, prescriber's letter, and any remaining original packaging. Never attempt to obtain benzodiazepines without a valid prescription, possession without documentation is a controlled-substance offence under Portuguese law.

If your specific active ingredient is not available, a Portuguese psychiatrist or neurologist can assess whether a different agent is clinically appropriate. The substitution decision belongs to the treating doctor, not a pharmacist and not this guide. Alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, and lorazepam are the most reliably stocked at retail farmácias and represent the most likely starting point for a local prescription.

Key phrases in Portuguese

I take medication for a neurological/psychiatric condition: Tomo medicação para uma condição neurológica/psiquiátrica. Please call a doctor: Por favor, chame um médico. Where is the nearest pharmacy?: Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima? I need an emergency prescription: Preciso de uma receita de urgência.

Portugal's single emergency number is 112 for ambulance, police, and fire. For non-emergency medical advice, the SNS health line is 808 24 24 24 (Portuguese language). Emergency pharmacies (farmácia de serviço) rotate daily in each municipality; find the nearest open one via the Farmácias Portuguesas website or app.^[8]

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Frequently asked questions

Are benzodiazepines legal in Portugal?

Benzodiazepines are legal in Portugal for personal medical use with a valid prescription and supporting medical documentation. Carrying them without documentation, or in excess of a 30-day supply, breaches Portuguese controlled-substance law under Decree-Law 15/93 and can result in confiscation.

Can I bring benzodiazepines into Portugal from another country?

Yes, personal import is permitted up to a 30-day supply per substance under Schengen Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention. You must carry a prescriber's letter on headed paper naming the INN, brand, dose, frequency, and trip duration. A Schengen Medical Certificate from your departure country's competent authority is strongly recommended alongside the letter.

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

Yes. Because all benzodiazepines are controlled psychotropic substances under the 1971 Convention and Portuguese law, you must carry a prescriber's letter as a minimum, and a Schengen Medical Certificate is strongly recommended for travel into Portugal. The certificate must name each controlled substance separately if you carry more than one.

Is Xanax available in Portugal?

Yes, Xanax (alprazolam) by Pfizer is registered in Portugal and available at farmácias with a Portuguese prescription. Generic alprazolam from Mylan and Sandoz is also stocked. You cannot use a foreign prescription directly for dispensing; you will need a Portuguese doctor to issue a local prescription if your supply runs out.

Can I get Valium (diazepam) over the counter in Portugal?

No. Diazepam (Valium) is a controlled psychotropic substance in Portugal and requires a prescription from a Portuguese-registered doctor for dispensing at any farmácia. No benzodiazepine is available without a prescription in Portugal.

Which benzodiazepines are available in Portuguese pharmacies?

Alprazolam (Xanax, generic), diazepam (Valium, generic), clonazepam (Rivotril), lorazepam (generic), and oxazepam (generic) are available at retail farmácias with a Portuguese prescription. Temazepam has limited retail availability and should be verified with INFARMED before travel. Midazolam is dispensed in hospital settings only. Triazolam (Halcion) is not confirmed as available at retail level in Portugal; bring your full supply.

What if my specific benzodiazepine brand is not available in Portugal?

Ask a Portuguese psychiatrist or GP whether a registered equivalent is appropriate for you, never switch between benzodiazepines without medical supervision, as durations of action and doses differ substantially across the class. Alprazolam, diazepam, and clonazepam are the most reliably available starting points if a local prescription is needed. A private consultation costs approximately €60–€150 (~$70–$174).

What if I run out of benzodiazepines in Portugal?

Go to a private clinic or hospital emergency department with your prescriber's letter and any remaining original packaging. A Portuguese doctor can issue a local prescription for an available equivalent after assessing your situation. If your medication was lost or stolen, file a police report first, the report number is required by insurers and by the prescribing doctor. Do not attempt to obtain benzodiazepines without a valid Portuguese prescription.

Related practical guide

Benzodiazepines Abroad: Why Customs Can Seize Your Prescription

A valid prescription does not protect your benzodiazepines at every border. Here is what customs officers actually check, and what happens when supply runs out abroad.