Melatonin in Portugal: Import Rules, Brands & Pharmacy

Quick reference

Drug class: Hormone / sleep aid
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: Yes, prescription required in Portugal
Available locally: Yes, available as Melatonina (generic); Circadin available by prescription
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, keep away from light and moisture
Max supply to carry: No statutory import quantity limit; carry what you need for your trip with a doctor's letter
Key document: Doctor's letter stating full name, medication name, dose, quantity carried, and prescriber registration number
Emergency alternative: Visit a farmácia and ask for Melatonina; a local prescription from a Portuguese doctor may be required for any refill.

Melatonin in Portugal: what changes when you travel

Melatonin, sold internationally as Circadin and Slenyto (among other brands) and known generically in Portugal as Melatonina, is prescription-only in Portugal under INFARMED regulations. You cannot buy it over the counter at a farmácia without a valid prescription. Bring your full supply from home and carry documentation to support it at customs.^[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 Portugal with melatonin

Portugal does not require a special import permit for melatonin. You should, however, carry a signed doctor's letter confirming the prescription. Travellers are advised to carry documentation identifying the medication by its INN (melatonin / melatonina) alongside the prescriber's details.^[2]

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescriber to review your current prescription and obtain a signed doctor's letter covering your travel period.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Confirm your supply quantity is sufficient for the trip plus a 25% buffer. Request a repeat prescription from your doctor if you need extra medication.Repeat prescription
No permit application is required for Portugal. Use this window to ensure original packaging and pharmacy labels are intact on all boxes.
T-7 days
If your doctor's letter is not in Portuguese, arrange a translation or a bilingual version. Portuguese customs officers may request it in Portuguese.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents. Pack the medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label visible. Place the doctor's letter on top in your carry-on bag.
T-0 (border)
Melatonin is not a controlled substance, so no proactive declaration is required at Portuguese customs. Keep documents accessible in case officers ask.

Carry every doc to the border

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication name (INN: melatonin / melatonina, plus any brand name such as Circadin or Slenyto), dose and frequency, quantity carried, condition name, doctor's signature and registration number, and clinic letterhead. A Portuguese translation is recommended but not mandatory for entry. No notarisation or apostille is required.

No notarisation or apostille is required for a doctor's letter accompanying melatonin into Portugal. A bilingual letter in English and Portuguese is the most practical option for travellers.

How much melatonin to bring

Portugal imposes no statutory quantity limit on personal imports of melatonin. recommends carrying a quantity proportionate to the length of your stay. Bring at least 25% extra in case of flight delays or trip extensions. Obtaining a Portuguese prescription as a temporary visitor can take several days and a private consultation fee.

Split your supply

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

Packing and storing melatonin for travel

Melatonin tablets should be stored at room temperature below 25°C, away from direct light and moisture. No cold chain is required. Portugal's summer temperatures in Lisbon and Algarve regularly exceed 35°C outdoors, so avoid leaving tablets in a hot car, a windowsill, or an unventilated bag in direct sun. A small pouch in your hand luggage, away from heat sources, is sufficient for transit.^[3]

At the airport and border

Airport security with melatonin

Melatonin tablets are solid medications and are not subject to the 100 ml liquid rule. You do not need to declare them proactively at security. Prescription medicines are allowed in hand luggage without volume restriction, provided they are in original packaging. Keep your doctor's letter accessible in case a screening officer asks for it.

Customs and medication import rules for Portugal

Melatonin is not a controlled substance in Portugal and does not appear on any schedule requiring a customs import permit. Portugal follows EU rules for personal-use medicines: carry a quantity consistent with the length of your stay and have a prescription or doctor's letter available on request. No advance declaration is required.^[4]

Keep original packaging

Customs officers identify medications by packaging and pharmacy labels. Removing tablets from their original box and decanting them into a pill organiser for the whole trip can trigger questions at Portuguese customs. Keep at least one original box with the pharmacy label intact.

While in country

Melatonin availability in Portugal

Melatonin brands available in Portugal

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Melatonina (generic)	Insomnia / circadian rhythm	Modified-release tablet (2 mg)	Available at farmacias with prescription; supply generally reliable
Circadin	Insomnia in adults aged 55+	Prolonged-release tablet (2 mg)	Available by prescription; intermittent stock variation reported

Melatonin is available at Portuguese farmacias with a valid prescription. The generic form, Melatonina, and the prolonged-release brand Circadin (2 mg) are the most commonly dispensed formulations. A pack of 30 tablets typically costs around €10-€20 (~$12-$23). For more context on healthcare access in Portugal, see Portugal's travel guide.^[1]

Finding a doctor who can prescribe melatonin in Portugal

Private GP clinics in Lisbon and Porto have English-speaking doctors who can issue a Portuguese prescription. A private consultation typically costs €50-€100 (~$58-$117).

The public healthcare system is generally not accessible to temporary visitors for non-emergency consultations. Telemedicine platforms registered in Portugal can also issue prescriptions for melatonin after a brief consultation.^[5]

Search for providers near your destination

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

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Storing melatonin while in Portugal

Melatonin tablets require no refrigeration and are stable at temperatures below 25°C in dry conditions. In summer, hotel rooms in Lisbon and the Algarve can reach 28-30°C without air conditioning. Store tablets in a cool drawer away from direct sun rather than on a windowsill or in a bag left in a vehicle. No special cold-chain equipment is needed.^[3]

Emergencies

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

If your melatonin is lost or stolen, report the theft to the local police (Polícia de Segurança Pública) and obtain a report number for insurance purposes. Contact your travel insurer to confirm whether medication replacement costs are covered under your policy.

If you run out, visit a local pharmacy (farmácia) and ask for Melatonina or Circadin. You will need a Portuguese prescription from a local GP. Private walk-in clinics in major cities can usually issue this the same day for a consultation fee of €50-€100 (~$58-$117).

“Preciso de melatonina com receita. / Tenho um problema para dormir. / Por favor, chame um médico. / Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?”

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

The emergency number in Portugal is 112 for ambulance, police, and fire services.^[6] For non-urgent medical advice, call the SNS 24 line on 808 24 24 24.

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Frequently asked questions

Is melatonin legal in Portugal?

Melatonin is legal in Portugal but requires a prescription. It is not a controlled substance and does not appear on any restricted schedule, but you cannot purchase it over the counter at a farmácia without a valid prescription.

Can I bring melatonin into Portugal from abroad?

Yes. No import permit is required to bring melatonin into Portugal. Carry a doctor's letter identifying the medication by its INN (melatonin / melatonina), the prescribed dose, and the quantity in your luggage. Keep the medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label visible.

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

A doctor's letter is not legally required for entry but is strongly advisable. It confirms to customs and security staff that the medication is prescribed to you. The letter should include your name, the INN (melatonin / melatonina), dose, quantity, and your prescriber's registration number.

Is melatonin available over the counter at Portuguese pharmacies?

No. Unlike in some other countries where melatonin is sold OTC as a supplement, in Portugal it is classified as a prescription medicine. You will need a valid Portuguese prescription to purchase Melatonina or Circadin at a local farmácia.

What if I run out of melatonin while in Portugal?

Visit a private GP clinic in the nearest city to obtain a Portuguese prescription; this typically costs €50-€100 (~$58-$117) for the consultation. Once you have the prescription, any farmácia can dispense Melatonina or Circadin.

Is Circadin available in Portugal?

Yes. Circadin (the prolonged-release 2 mg brand sold in the UK, Germany, France, and other countries) is available in Portugal by prescription. The equivalent generic, Melatonina, is also dispensed and is typically less expensive. Both require a valid Portuguese prescription to purchase.

Melatonin in Portugal: Import Rules, Brands and Pharmacy Access