Portugal: Cannabis Law (Overview)
Last updated: June 18, 2026
Legal notice: Informational only, not legal advice. Portugal's model decriminalizes possession for personal use within thresholds but does not legalize sale/trafficking. Always verify on the Diário da República and INFARMED links below. See Legal Disclaimer & No-Warranty.
High-Level Status
- Decriminalization (use/possession): Law 30/2000 treats possession for personal use (≤ defined 10-day supply thresholds) as an administrative matter adjudicated by Dissuasion Commissions.
- Criminal law: Decree-Law 15/93 governs trafficking and criminal offenses; cannabis remains scheduled (Table I-C) under national law.
- Medical cannabis: Lei 33/2018 and Decreto-Lei 8/2019 regulate medical cannabis products--prescription-only via pharmacies, under INFARMED oversight.
Practical Cautions
- Not legalization: Buying/selling outside licensed medical channels remains illegal.
- Thresholds & discretion: 10-day supply thresholds guide administrative handling; authorities retain discretion.
- Travel: Do not transport cannabis across borders; medical import/export requires strict compliance.
Keep Learning
- Responsible Use Guide
- Information You Can Trust, Editorial Standards, How We Fact-Check
- Global context: Cannabis Laws by Country & Region
Official Legal Sources (Primary)
- Law 30/2000 - Decriminalization statute (Diário da República): official law page.
- Decree-Law 15/93 - Drug law tables (incl. cannabis Table I-C): official law page (and consolidated views).
- INFARMED - Medical cannabis hub: Lei 33/2018 & DL 8/2019 + guidance.
- INFARMED notice (classification & prohibitions context): official alert on cannabis classification and industrial hemp carve-outs.