Anyone travelling in Europe quickly notices that cannabis is not treated the same everywhere. There is no single EU-wide rule: each country decides for itself how to handle possession, home growing and supply. This overview shows how five countries regulate it in 2026 and where they differ. It is not legal advice and not an encouragement to use cannabis.
Why there is no EU-wide rule
Drug policy largely remains with the member states. At EU level there are only framework rules for combating cross-border drug trafficking. How a country treats possession and home growing for personal use is its own decision. The result is a patchwork: what is not punishable in one country can be a criminal offence in the neighbouring one.
The legal situation at a glance
| Country | Possession (adults) | Home growing | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 25 g in public, 50 g at home | up to 3 plants | Cultivation associations (max. 500 members), no free retail sale |
| Netherlands | 5 g per purchase in a coffeeshop (tolerated) | not legally permitted | Coffeeshops, pilot scheme in 10 municipalities |
| Czechia | 25 g in public, 100 g at home | up to 3 plants | no legal sales |
| Malta | 7 g | up to 4 plants | licensed associations (max. 500 members) |
| Luxembourg | use and possession in private | up to 4 plants per household | no legal sales, no associations |
All details apply to adults and may change. The legal texts are authoritative; see the sources below.
Germany
The Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) has applied since 1 April 2024. Adults may possess up to 25 grams in public and up to 50 grams at home, and grow up to three plants. Since 1 July 2024, non-commercial cultivation associations with a maximum of 500 members are allowed. Free retail sale is not provided for. The law remains politically debated; to our knowledge, no amendment to the KCanG has entered into force.
Medical cannabis (MedCanG) is regulated separately. Changes are under discussion there, for example on reimbursement, telemedicine and mail order. That is a separate topic and does not belong in this overview.
Netherlands
Sales in coffeeshops remain officially illegal but are tolerated under certain conditions (Gedoogbeleid). Adults aged 18 and over may buy up to 5 grams per purchase. Since 2024, an experiment with a controlled supply chain has also been running in ten municipalities, including Breda, Tilburg, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Almere, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Zaandam and Maastricht. There, coffeeshops source their products from licensed growers. The full experimental phase began on 7 April 2025. First interim results (covering the period up to the first quarter of 2026) were submitted to parliament in September 2026: according to the government, initial problems with supply and the track-and-trace system have been resolved, and visitor numbers and use in coffeeshops are unchanged compared with the baseline measurement. The illegal market continues to play a role. Because of the short duration (about three months), no final conclusions are possible yet. Two further interim measurements and an overall evaluation will follow.
Czechia
Since 1 January 2026, possession and home growing for adults (21 and over) have been regulated by law: up to 3 plants at the main residence, up to 100 grams of dried cannabis at home and 25 grams in public. Slightly larger amounts count as an administrative offence, while considerably larger amounts remain a criminal offence. There is no legal sale.
Malta
In December 2021, Malta became the first EU country to allow adults to possess small amounts: up to 7 grams and up to 4 plants. Supply runs through licensed, non-profit associations with a maximum of 500 members. According to reports, the rollout is slow. Tourists cannot join the associations.
Luxembourg
Since July 2023, growing up to four plants per household at the place of residence and use in private spaces have been allowed. The plants must not be visible from outside. There are no associations and no legal sales.
