Is CBD Legal in Germany?

Last updated: April 2024 | Reading time: 8 minutes

If you live in Germany or you’ve recently moved to Germany — or are planning to — you’ve probably noticed CBD products everywhere. Pharmacies, health food shops, even petrol stations stock CBD oils, capsules, and creams. But with Germany’s cannabis laws having changed dramatically in 2024, it’s easy to feel confused about what’s actually legal, what isn’t, and what the rules mean for you as a foreigner.

Before diving into the legality of CBD in Germany, Please take out some sometime to to read our guide to everything CBD in this article you will understand everything CBD

CBD Guide | Everything You Need to Know About CBD

The Short Answer

Yes, CBD is legal in Germany — and has been for some time. CBD products are widely available and perfectly legal to buy, possess, and use, provided they contain no more than 0.2% THC. This applies to residents and expats alike.

The bigger and more recent change is around cannabis more broadly — recreational use was legalised for adults in April 2024 under the Cannabisgesetz (CanG), making Germany the first major EU country to do so. However, the rules for CBD products specifically are separate from the recreational cannabis laws, and understanding that distinction matters.

CBD vs Cannabis — Why the Difference Matters

A lot of the confusion around Germany’s drug laws comes from people using “CBD” and “cannabis” interchangeably. They’re related, but legally they’re treated very differently.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound extracted from the hemp plant. It does not get you high. In Germany and across the EU, CBD products are legal as long as their THC content stays below 0.2%. These include oils, capsules, creams, teas, gummies, and more.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a high. Germany’s 2024 Cannabis Act legalised recreational THC cannabis for adults — but under a specific and somewhat complex framework that is different from simply being able to walk into a shop and buy it.

For most expats interested in CBD for wellness purposes — sleep, anxiety, pain relief — the recreational cannabis rules don’t really apply. What matters is the 0.2% THC threshold on CBD products, which makes them straightforward to buy and use.

What Changed in April 2024?

On 1 April 2024, the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz, CanG) came into force. This was a landmark moment — Germany became the ninth country in the world and the first large EU member state to legalise recreational cannabis for adults.

Here is what the new law actually means in practice:

• Adults aged 18 and over may possess up to 25 grams of cannabis in public spaces
• Adults may store up to 50 grams of dried cannabis at home
• Adults may grow up to three cannabis plants at home for personal use
• Non-profit cannabis social clubs (Anbauvereinigungen) may cultivate and distribute cannabis to members — but membership requires at least six months of German residency
• Commercial cannabis dispensaries are not yet permitted — there are no shops where you can simply walk in and buy recreational cannabis

Importantly, none of these changes affect the legal status of CBD products, which were already legal and remain so under their own framework.

Can Expats and Tourists Buy CBD in Germany?

Yes, without any restrictions. CBD products — oils, capsules, topicals, edibles, drinks — are available to anyone in Germany regardless of nationality or residency status, as long as the products contain 0.2% THC or less.

You can find CBD products in:

• Pharmacies (Apotheken) — often the most reliable source for quality-tested products
• Health food stores (Reformhäuser and Bioläden)
• Specialist CBD shops — increasingly common in cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne
• Online retailers — many German and EU-based CBD shops offer delivery throughout the country
• Some supermarkets and drugstores — chains like dm and Rossmann stock selected CBD products

There is no prescription needed, no registration required, and no age restriction explicitly written into CBD law — though most retailers apply an 18+ policy in line with general cannabis regulations.

What About Recreational Cannabis as an Expat?

This is where it gets more complicated. The 2024 Cannabis Act was designed primarily with German residents in mind, and certain parts of the framework explicitly require residency.

Cannabis social clubs, for example, require members to have lived in Germany for at least six months. Tourists and short-term visitors cannot legally join a club or purchase cannabis through one.

Home cultivation is permitted for residents, but as a visitor or recent arrival, this is unlikely to apply to your situation.

Possession rules technically apply to anyone on German soil — so an adult tourist carrying up to 25 grams in public is not breaking the law. However, actually obtaining that cannabis legally as a non-resident is the challenge, since there are no open retail stores.

The bottom line for expats: CBD products are fully accessible to you from day one. Recreational cannabis is more restricted and largely inaccessible through legal channels until you establish residency.

Where Can You NOT Use Cannabis in Germany?

Even with the new freedoms brought by the 2024 law, there are clear restrictions on where cannabis — including smoking CBD flower — can be consumed in public:

• Within 100 metres of schools, nurseries, playgrounds, or children’s facilities
• In pedestrian zones between 7am and 8pm
• In publicly accessible sports facilities
• In or near cannabis social club premises
• Anywhere minors are present

Driving under the influence of cannabis is also strictly regulated, with a legal THC blood limit of 3.5 nanograms per millilitre. Cannabis and alcohol together carry a zero-tolerance policy behind the wheel.

CBD products applied topically or taken orally (oils, capsules, gummies) are not subject to these consumption restrictions, as they are not smoked and do not impair driving at legal concentrations.

Are There Any Risks to Be Aware Of?

For CBD specifically, the main risk is simply buying a poor-quality product. Because the market has expanded quickly, not every product on the shelf is equally well-tested or accurately labelled.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Check for a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) — a third-party lab report confirming the CBD and THC content. Reputable sellers always provide this.
• Look for EU-certified hemp sources — products derived from EU-approved hemp varieties are more reliably within legal THC limits.
• Avoid products with vague labelling — if the THC content isn’t clearly stated, don’t buy it.
• Be cautious with CBD flower — dried hemp flower (Hanfblüten) sits in a legal grey area in Germany. The tea/flower form has previously caused legal disputes, so stick to oils, capsules, and other processed CBD products to be safe.

CBD and German Workplace Rules

Germany has no specific law prohibiting CBD use by employees, and CBD at legal concentrations will not produce a positive result on a standard drug test, which screens for THC metabolites rather than CBD itself.

That said, if your employment contract includes drug-free clauses, or you work in a safety-critical role (transport, machinery, healthcare), it’s worth checking your specific contract and speaking to HR before using any cannabis-derived product, even CBD.

A Quick Reference Summary

Question	Answer
Is CBD legal in Germany?	Yes
Maximum THC in CBD products	0.2%
Do I need a prescription for CBD?	No
Can tourists buy CBD?	Yes
Can tourists buy recreational cannabis?	No legal route currently
Minimum age for CBD?	18 (retailer policy, not law)
Where can I buy CBD?	Pharmacies, health stores, online, CBD shops
Is CBD flower (hemp flower) legal?	Grey area — proceed with caution

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Final Thoughts

Germany’s cannabis landscape in 2024 is more open than it has ever been, but it’s not as simple as some headlines suggest. For expats, the good news is clear: CBD products are legal, widely available, and easy to access  at Pure High Dispensary at the best prices— no bureaucracy, no prescription, no residency requirement. We also Have a variety of other cannabis products such Cannabis Flower, THC edibles, THC Vapes, Concentrates and many more.

Shop with us today to enjoy the best prices on the market for authentic quality

If you’re looking for a reliable source of quality CBD products in Germany, with lab-tested formulations and clear labelling then Pure High Dispensary is your Best online dispensary for all your CBD Needs. Browse our range and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about which product might suit you best.