CBD Oil in Greece: Is It Legal? (2026 Guide)

Last updated: October 2026.

The short answer

CBD is sold in Greece, and the rules tightened in 2026. A health law passed in 2026 raised the THC limit for hemp from 0.2% to 0.3%, banned the retail sale of dried hemp flower, and moved towards licensing for hemp products sold to consumers. CBD oils technically fall under EU novel food rules but are widely sold, increasingly through licensed shops and pharmacies. Medical cannabis has been available on prescription since 2024.

The rules in Greece

• THC limit: raised from 0.2% to 0.3% by a 2026 health law (reported as Law 5302/2026).
• Hemp flower: retail sale of dried hemp flower is banned, whatever its THC level.
• Licensing: the 2026 law moves towards licensing for hemp products sold to consumers.
• CBD oils and foods: technically need EU novel food authorisation; in practice CBD oils have been widely sold.
• CBD cosmetics: sold under EU cosmetics rules.
• Medical cannabis: the first prescriptions were issued in February 2024, through pharmacies, for limited conditions.

What changed in 2026

Greece had allowed hemp with up to 0.2% THC for several years, and a large market for CBD shops and hemp flower grew up around it. In May 2026 the government brought forward a health bill that raised the limit to 0.3%, in line with EU farming rules, but also banned shops from selling dried hemp flower and moved hemp products towards licensing. The government’s reasoning was concern about intoxicating hemp products. For people buying CBD oils and creams, the main effect is more checks on where and how products are sold.

Medical cannabis in Greece

Greece legalised medical cannabis several years ago and built a framework for growing it domestically. The first prescriptions for cannabis medicines were issued in February 2024, dispensed through pharmacies for a limited list of conditions and paid for privately. This is separate from the CBD products sold in shops.

How the EU rules fit in

Greece applies EU food law, so its position on CBD sits inside the wider EU framework. Across the EU, CBD added to food, drinks or food supplements is treated as a “novel food”: something not widely eaten before May 1997, which needs authorisation before it can be sold as food. Applications from many companies are still being assessed, and each member state enforces the rules in its own way. That is why you see CBD oils openly on sale in some countries and removed from shelves in others.

CBD cosmetics follow a different set of rules, the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Cannabidiol is listed as a cosmetic ingredient, so creams, balms and lotions made with CBD from permitted parts of the hemp plant can be sold across the EU as long as they are safe, properly labelled and make no medical claims.

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of more than 100 natural compounds, called cannabinoids, found in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, the compound in cannabis that causes a “high”, CBD is not intoxicating. People in Greece and across Europe use CBD as part of their daily routine, most often as an oil taken under the tongue, as gummies or capsules, or as a cream massaged into the skin.

CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors involved in keeping the body in balance. Research into CBD is growing, but CBD is not a medicine and it should not be used to replace any treatment your doctor has prescribed.

CBD, THC and hemp seed oil: what is the difference?

• CBD comes from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. It does not cause a high.
• THC is the intoxicating compound in cannabis. It is tightly controlled in almost every European country, which is why the THC content of a CBD product matters so much.
• Hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds. It is a nutritious food oil, rich in omega fatty acids, but it contains little or no CBD. Some products labelled “hemp oil” are hemp seed oil, so always check the CBD content in mg.

When you read about CBD laws, the THC limit you see (for example 0.2% or 0.3%) usually refers to the hemp plants farmers are allowed to grow. The rules for finished products, such as an oil in a bottle, are often stricter and differ from country to country.

Types of CBD product and how they are treated in Greece

Not all CBD products are treated the same way. In most European countries, including Greece, the type of product decides which rules apply:

• CBD oils, gummies and capsules taken by mouth are covered by food law, and in the EU they count as novel foods.
• CBD creams, balms and lotions are cosmetics, covered by cosmetics law.
• CBD flower, hash and vapes are the most restricted. Many countries limit or ban them because they can contain THC and are smoked or vaped.
• Prescription cannabis medicines are a separate category, prescribed by doctors and supplied through pharmacies.

How to read a CBD lab report

A lab report, sometimes called a certificate of analysis, is the single best way to know what is in a CBD product. A good one should:

• Come from an independent laboratory, not the brand itself.
• Match the batch number on your bottle.
• Show the amount of CBD, so you can check it matches the label.
• Show the THC level, so you know the product is within the legal limit.
• Ideally include tests for heavy metals and pesticides.

If a seller cannot show you a lab report for the batch you are buying, choose a different product. Every Dr. Hemp Me product has its lab report on the product page.

How to choose a CBD oil

CBD oils are sold by strength, shown as a percentage or as the total mg of CBD in the bottle. In a standard 10ml bottle with about 200 drops:

Most people start with a lower strength and adjust slowly. Our CBD dosing guide explains how to find the right amount, and you can compare all our strengths on our CBD oil page.

How to take CBD oil

• Shake the bottle, then place the drops under your tongue.
• Hold them there for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing.
• Take it at the same time each day, and follow the amounts on the label.
• Start low and increase slowly over one to two weeks.

You can also add drops to food or a drink, although CBD swallowed this way takes longer to be noticed. Read how long CBD oil effects last for more on timing.

Who should be careful with CBD?

CBD is well tolerated by most healthy adults, but speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• Take regular medication, especially blood thinners, epilepsy medicines, antidepressants or sedatives. CBD can affect how some medicines are processed. See does CBD oil affect blood clotting?
• Have a liver condition.
• Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Are under 18.

Possible side effects include tiredness, a dry mouth and an upset stomach, usually at higher amounts. Never drive if you feel drowsy, and avoid mixing CBD with alcohol (see CBD and alcohol).

Travelling with CBD: general tips

• Check the current rules in Greece and any country you pass through before you travel.
• Carry products in their original, labelled packaging, with the lab report if you can.
• Only take products that are THC-free or clearly within the legal limit. Never carry anything containing THC across a border.
• Keep oils in your hand luggage within liquid limits, and declare them if asked.
• If in doubt, leave it at home and buy locally where it is legal.

Buying CBD online for Greece

Dr. Hemp Me is an Irish CBD company, based in Dublin since 2018, with over 15,000 customers and 900+ Trustpilot reviews. Every product is independently lab tested and the reports are on each product page. We deliver within the EU. Check the local rules before ordering for use in Greece.

Frequently asked questions

Is CBD legal in Greece?

Yes, CBD products with THC within the legal limit are sold, although CBD foods technically still need EU novel food authorisation. The 2026 law raised the limit to 0.3% THC and banned hemp flower sales.

What is the THC limit in Greece?

0.3% since the 2026 health law, up from 0.2%.

Can I buy hemp flower in Greece?

No. Since the 2026 health law, retail sale of dried hemp flower is banned.

Where can I buy CBD in Greece?

CBD oils and creams are sold in specialist shops and pharmacies, and the 2026 law is moving sales towards licensed outlets. Always ask for the lab report.

Is CBD cream legal in Greece?

Yes. CBD cosmetics are sold under EU cosmetics rules.

Is medical cannabis legal in Greece?

Yes. Medical cannabis has been available on prescription through pharmacies since 2024 for limited conditions.

Can you take CBD oil on a plane to Greece?

There is no clear official guidance. Carry only lab-tested products within the THC limit, in original packaging, and never hemp flower or anything containing THC.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the official guidance before you buy or travel. CBD is not a medicine and we make no health claims.

Sources

• Greece moves to ban hemp flower sales (Business of Cannabis, May 2026)
• Guest commentary on Greece’s 2026 CBD restrictions (HempToday, June 2026)
• First medical cannabis prescriptions in Greece (Business of Cannabis)