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

Last updated: October 2026.

The short answer

CBD itself is legal in Germany, and hemp with no more than 0.3% THC is allowed. But Germany treats CBD in food, drinks and supplements, including most CBD oils sold to swallow, as an unauthorised novel food, and the federal food safety office says these are not legally marketable. CBD cosmetics such as creams and balms are sold under EU cosmetics rules. Since April 2024 adults can also legally possess limited amounts of cannabis under the Cannabis Act.

The rules in Germany

• Cannabis Act (KCanG), April 2024: cannabis, including industrial hemp, moved out of the narcotics law (BtMG). Adults can possess limited amounts for personal use.
• Hemp: counts as industrial hemp (Nutzhanf) if it comes from certified EU varieties or has 0.3% THC or less. The law still requires that hemp products are not traded for intoxication.
• CBD foods and oils: the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) classes CBD as an unauthorised novel food, so CBD foods and food supplements are not marketable in Germany.
• CBD cosmetics: sold under EU cosmetics rules, without health claims.
• Medical cannabis: available on prescription under the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG). A 2025 bill to require an in-person doctor visit before a first prescription for cannabis flower had not passed as of September 2026.

How the Cannabis Act changed things

Before April 2024, all cannabis, including low-THC hemp, sat under Germany’s narcotics law, and selling hemp products came with real legal risk. The Cannabis Act moved cannabis into its own law, allowed adults to possess limited amounts, and set up non-profit cannabis clubs. For CBD shoppers, the practical effect is smaller than many headlines suggested: the Act deals with cannabis and THC, while CBD foods and supplements are still governed by food law, where the novel food rules apply.

How the EU rules fit in

Germany 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 Germany 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 Germany

Not all CBD products are treated the same way. In most European countries, including Germany, 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 Germany 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 Germany

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, but you are responsible for checking whether a product can be imported and used where you live. Our creams and balms are sold as cosmetics; see our CBD cream range.

Frequently asked questions

Is CBD oil legal in Germany?

CBD itself is legal, but CBD oils sold as food or food supplements are treated as unauthorised novel foods, so the food authority says they are not legally marketable. CBD cosmetics are sold under EU rules.

What is the THC limit in Germany?

Hemp must come from certified EU varieties or contain 0.3% THC or less, and must not be traded for intoxication.

Did the 2024 Cannabis Act make CBD legal?

The Cannabis Act legalised limited possession of cannabis for adults and moved hemp out of the narcotics law. It did not change the novel food rules for CBD foods and supplements.

Can I buy CBD cream in Germany?

Yes. CBD creams and balms are cosmetics, sold under EU cosmetics rules, as long as they make no medical claims.

Can I buy CBD in German shops and pharmacies?

You will see CBD products for sale, but CBD foods and supplements are not authorised. Pharmacies sell prescription cannabis medicines, which are a separate category.

Is medical cannabis legal in Germany?

Yes, on prescription under the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG).

Can I travel to Germany with CBD oil?

There is no clear official guidance for travellers. Carry only lab-tested products within the THC limit, in original packaging, and check before you go.

Will CBD show up on a drug test in Germany?

Drug tests look for THC, not CBD, but products containing traces of THC could cause a positive result. Choose THC-free, lab-tested products.

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

• Cannabis Act (KCanG) §1, gesetze-im-internet.de
• BVL FAQ: Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Medical cannabis prescription bill (Medicanova, 2026)