CBD limit laws in Europe — THC thresholds by country (what’s allowed vs not)

TL;DR: Most European countries tolerate trace THC in CBD products, but the exact legal threshold varies by country (common levels: 0% / 0.2% / 0.3% / 0.6% / 1%). Sweden enforces zero-tolerance (no detectable THC). Switzerland permits up to 1% THC in hemp products. The EU’s agricultural and novel-food rules have shifted baseline thresholds (recent CAP changes raised hemp cultivation limits), but member states may set stricter national rules. If you’re buying or travelling with CBD, always check the destination country’s rules, carry lab certificates, and avoid flower/inflorescence products where those are restricted.

Why this matters (short primer)

CBD (cannabidiol) itself is non-intoxicating, but hemp naturally contains trace amounts of Δ9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Lawmakers regulate CBD by THC content because THC is the psychoactive compound that narcotics laws target. That means a product’s legal status often depends less on the amount of CBD and more on the THC concentration.

Two EU/Europe policy threads you must know:

Agricultural / cultivation thresholds — rules about how much THC hemp plants can contain in the field (affects which hemp strains can be grown and sold). Recent EU Common Agricultural Policy reforms have adjusted allowable THC levels for hemp cultivation.
Novel Food / food safety — the European Commission treats many ingestible CBD products as novel foods requiring authorization or a compliant path to market; this is separate from THC thresholds but crucial for edibles, capsules, and drinks. The EU’s novelty decisions have been active and sometimes conservative.

Because national governments can — and do — set their own stricter limits and enforcement approaches, the map across Europe is patchy. Below you’ll find a country-by-country breakdown of the most important markets, plus a downloadable compliance checklist and a practical “if you travel with CBD” guide.

Quick reference table — key THC thresholds and short note (select countries)

Use this as a one-page crib sheet. Will be expanded and explained in the sections that follow.

Country	Typical THC limit for CBD/hemp products	Quick note
Sweden	0.0% (zero-tolerance)	Any detectable THC -> treated as narcotic; strict enforcement.
Switzerland (not EU)	≤ 1.0%	One of Europe’s most permissive THC limits for hemp products.
Italy	Historically tolerated up to 0.6% (now in flux)	Longstanding “cannabis light” market; in 2024–25 national rules tightened and flower sales may be restricted — watch developments.
Czech Republic	≤ 1.0% (industrial hemp allowances)	Czech law allows up to 1% for industrial/technical cannabis.
Germany	~0.2–0.3% (regulatory changes in 2024/25)	Thresholds and cannabis policy changed recently — CBD remains legal under THC cutoffs; enforcement varies.
France	0.0–very low (strict on flowers/resins)	France has historically taken a strict approach to flowers and resins; CBD technically legal only if THC absent or within strict interpretation.
Netherlands	~0.2% (practical tolerance)	Tolerant market for some CBD goods; psychoactive cannabis remains controlled. Ingredientpharm
Spain	~0.2% (complicated: topical OK; ingestion/flowers regulated)	CBD consumer products are OK; sale of flowers for ingestion/smoking is often legally risky. Eir Health
UK (post-Brexit)	~0.2% (food/supplement rules apply)	UK retains low THC tolerance; ingestible CBD treated under food/supplement rules. Unspun
Austria / Poland / Belgium / many EU states	~0.2–0.3%	Most EU members aim for the 0.2–0.3% range, but check national exceptions. Ingredientpharm+1

(This table highlights typical limits; detailed country notes below include exact legal references and caveats.)

What the EU is doing (and why country rules still matter)

CAP & hemp cultivation: The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) adjustments moved the baseline allowable THC in hemp cultivation up in some contexts (e.g., from 0.2% towards 0.3% in recent reforms). That affects what seeds farmers may plant and the supply of low-THC hemp. BUT — member states may still choose lower national limits or adopt distinct enforcement approaches. Essentia Pura
Novel Food & ingestible CBD: The European Commission and EFSA have been handling many novel food applications for CBD; in 2023–2024 some high-profile applications were not carried forward and the Commission has been cautious — meaning many CBD edibles and ingestible products remain in a regulatory limbo unless properly authorized. That’s separate from THC percent but is a major market constraint. Food Safety+1

Bottom line: EU moves set a floor for cultivation and trade, but national rules and court decisions determine street-level legality for consumer CBD products.

Deep dive: country notes (alphabetical, practical focus)

I’ve prioritized countries commonly asked about by travellers, retailers, and manufacturers. If you need a different European country added to this list, tell me which one and I’ll append it.

Austria

Typical THC limit: ~0.3% tolerated in many contexts for hemp-derived products; cosmetics and topical products commonly available.
Practical note: Austria follows EU rules but enforces novel food authorizations for ingestibles. If you’re selling ingestible CBD, check Austria’s implementation of novel food requirements.

Belgium

Typical THC limit: ~0.2% commonly cited for retail CBD products; medical THC available on prescription.
Practical note: CBD cosmetics are widespread, but ingestion and flower sales have nuanced rules. Some regions require prescriptions for higher THC. Hemp King+1

Czech Republic

Typical THC limit: Up to 1.0% allowed for industrial/technical cannabis and certain hemp goods. This makes the Czech Republic comparatively permissive for hemp cultivation and some derived products. CMS Law

Denmark

Typical THC limit: ~0.2% commonly enforced for consumer CBD; medical cannabis available by prescription.
Practical note: Denmark has a tightly regulated medical cannabis program and clear rules for commercial hemp.

France

Typical THC limit & stance: France has often been strict: flower/resin sales and ingestion are tightly controlled; the French approach has been conservative on allowing CBD flower for sale. Court rulings (including CJEU precedents) and national court interpretations influence what is permitted. If a product contains detectable THC, French authorities may treat it as a narcotic. EUDA+1

Germany

Typical THC limit: Historically 0.2%, but policy shifts in 2024–2025 changed the landscape (legal reform around adult cannabis use and revisions to thresholds). Many CBD products are sold with low THC (<0.2–0.3%), but recent reforms mean retailers and travellers should double-check current limits and the status of CBD flower. Germany’s Cannabis Act/Medical Cannabis Act updates in 2024–2025 changed regulatory contours. Global Practice Guides+1

Greece

Typical THC limit & stance: CBD available medically; THC content thresholds for consumer products generally align with EU guidance (~0.2–0.3%) but medical access is regulated. Recent years saw steps to legalise medical cannabis access for patients under strict conditions. Contentful

Italy

Typical THC limit (historical): Up to 0.6% sometimes tolerated for products historically marketed as “cannabis light” — higher than many EU peers.
Current caveat (important): From late 2024 into 2025, the Italian government moved to restrict or ban many hemp flower / “cannabis light” products, sparking legal controversy and concern in the hemp sector. That means the practical legality of CBD flower and derivatives is in flux — do not assume pre-2025 tolerance still holds. Wikipedia+1

Netherlands

Typical THC limit: ~0.2% for hemp products; the country is otherwise known for tolerant policies in controlled coffee-shop sale of psychoactive cannabis, but CBD retail is regulated and flower/smoking products destined for that market are treated according to broader Dutch cannabis policy. Ingredientpharm

Poland

Typical THC limit: ~0.3% often referenced; Poland has specific rules regarding hemp cultivation and product marketing. Enforcement can be conservative for flowers and extracts. Hemp King

Portugal

Typical THC limit: Approx 0.2–0.3% for commercial CBD products; Portugal has decriminalized personal use (but not legalized sale), and the CBD market is regulated — ingestibles face novel food scrutiny. Eir Health

Spain

Typical THC limit: ~0.2%, BUT Spain has a complex approach: topical CBD products are widely available; the sale of CBD flowers for ingestion/smoking is risky and often restricted, despite tolerated consumer CBD markets in cosmetics and some supplements. Regional variations exist. Eir Health

Sweden

Typical THC limit: Zero-tolerance — no detectable THC. Swedish courts have ruled that any detectable THC in CBD oil makes it an illegal narcotic product. Sweden enforces this strictly. If you’re travelling to Sweden, avoid bringing CBD products unless you have verified zero detectable THC and local legal acceptance. NutraIngredients.com+1

Switzerland (non-EU)

Typical THC limit: ≤ 1.0% for hemp products — one of Europe’s highest legal thresholds. Swiss rules are distinct from the EU; Switzerland permits many hemp-derived CBD products up to that limit. If you’re moving goods across the EU–Switzerland border, different thresholds apply on each side. ch.ch+1

United Kingdom (post-Brexit)

Typical THC limit: ~0.2% broadly cited; CBD products fall under UK food/supplement regulations and “novel food” considerations. After Brexit the UK sets its own approach but frequently keeps low THC tolerance. Unspun

Note: The above country notes are summaries. Some countries allow higher THC for cultivation (seed certification, agricultural tolerance) while banning the sale of flowers or extracts to consumers — legal nuance matters. When in doubt, treat flowers/inflorescences as higher risk than refined oils or cosmetics.

Why toys and labels lie: product types matter

Legal risk varies by type of product:

Cosmetics / topical creams — often the least risky. Cosmetics may be allowed with traces of THC in many places so long as they’re within national percent limits and not making medical claims.
Tinctures / oils for sublingual use — more regulated; ingestible route triggers novel food rules in the EU. THC thresholds still apply. Food Safety
Edibles / drinks / capsules — novel food authorizations often required; many products remain in regulatory limbo. Don’t assume edible CBD is legal because topical products are. Food Safety
CBD flower / raw inflorescence / resins — legally risky in many EU states even if THC is low; several countries have moved to ban sales or treat flower as a narcotic regardless of measured THC. Italy is a cautionary example. Reuters

Enforcement realities — what happens if you cross the line?

Confiscation & fines: The most common outcome for products exceeding the national THC limit is confiscation and administrative fines.
Criminal charges: In strict jurisdictions (e.g., Sweden historically), detectable THC in a product can be treated as dealing in narcotics, leading to heavier penalties. NutraIngredients.com
Business penalties: Companies selling ingestible CBD without novel food authorization can face enforcement actions, product recalls, or fines. The EU’s novel food process has already seen applications terminated or delayed. Food Safety

Practical compliance checklist (for travellers, retailers, and manufacturers)

If you make, sell, or carry CBD products in Europe, follow this checklist:

✅ Check country threshold before you go. Don’t rely on “most countries do 0.2%” — Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy and others are exceptions or in flux. NutraIngredients.com+1
✅ Carry a COA (Certificate of Analysis) from an accredited lab showing Δ9-THC content as measured (date, batch number). Authorities like to see traceability.
✅ Avoid CBD flower when crossing borders. It’s the riskiest product type and many countries have moved to ban or restrict it. Reuters
✅ For ingestibles, check novel food status. If you’re selling/marketing CBD food/supplements, verify whether the product has an EU/UK novel food route or national authorization. Food Safety
✅ Label honestly. Don’t make medical claims; adhere to cosmetics/food labeling rules.
✅ Keep up to date. Laws change fast. Use government/legal sources for the country you’re entering. (This guide is a snapshot; consult national pages for immediate certainty.)

Travel advice: moving CBD across European borders

Within Schengen/EU: Even though goods move freely, national criminal/narcotics rules still apply. EU single market rules help trade in hemp products, but if a product violates a member state’s stricter narcotics law, you can face seizure or arrest in that state. Essentia Pura
To Sweden: Don’t bring any CBD product with measurable THC. Sweden has prosecuted people for trace-THC products. NutraIngredients.com
To Switzerland: More permissive — products up to 1% may be legal; still, be cautious crossing into EU countries where lower limits apply. ch.ch
Air travel: Airlines and countries differ; some carriers ban cannabis products even if legal at origin/destination. You risk confiscation and fines.

Case studies: five countries that highlight different approaches

Sweden — zero-tolerance example

Sweden’s Supreme Court case law and national enforcement create a zero-tolerance policy for THC in CBD products. Even trace THC can lead to a product being considered a narcotic. That makes Sweden one of the strictest CBD markets in Europe. If you sell or travel with CBD, treat Sweden as a no-THC jurisdiction unless official guidance explicitly allows a tested, THC-free product. NutraIngredients.com+1

Switzerland — high limit, pragmatic approach

Switzerland sets a 1% THC ceiling for hemp products and treats those below the limit as permitted. This higher tolerant ceiling has made Switzerland attractive to hemp growers and CBD businesses — but remember, Switzerland is not in the EU, and exports to EU member states must meet their lower THC thresholds. ch.ch+1

Germany — shifting landscape

Germany historically accepted low-THC CBD products (about 0.2%), but policy reform in 2024–2025 changed the national cannabis framework and adjusted regulatory details. Many CBD goods continue to trade, but the reforms mean suppliers and travellers must re-check thresholds and the legal status of flower products. Germany’s evolving approach reflects broader political shifts in Europe. Global Practice Guides+1

Italy — tolerant market under political pressure

Italy featured a booming “cannabis light” market with higher tolerated THC in some contexts (0.2–0.6% historically). Political moves in 2024–2025 have sought to restrict hemp flower commerce, creating uncertainty for producers and retailers. This is a cautionary tale: legal tolerance can be reversed quickly by national decrees. Wikipedia+1

Czech Republic — industrially permissive

The Czech Republic allows industrial cannabis up to 1% THC in certain contexts and has been comparatively liberal about hemp cultivation. For producers targeting CBD extraction (not retail flower), this can be an attractive manufacturing base — again, end-product sales outside the Czech Republic must meet importing country thresholds. CMS Law

The novel food problem — why many ingestibles are stuck

EU food safety law treats many orally consumed CBD products as novel foods requiring authorization. In recent years several high-profile CBD novel-food dossiers were not incorporated into the Union list, and the European Commission has been cautious — meaning many CBD edibles and supplements are technically not authorized across the EU. That affects market access even if the THC percent would otherwise be acceptable. Food Safety+1

If you’re a retailer: novel food status matters more for edibles than for topicals or cosmetics.

FAQs (short & searchable)

Q: Is CBD legal across the EU if THC < 0.2%?
A: Not automatically. Many EU countries accept ~0.2–0.3% for hemp, but national laws and enforcement differ, and ingestible CBD often requires novel food authorization. Sweden and others are stricter. Essentia Pura+1

Q: Can I fly with CBD oil inside the EU?
A: Technically you can if the product meets the destination country’s THC limit and airline policy — but it’s risky. Carry a lab COA, keep amounts reasonable, and avoid flower. If flying to Sweden, don’t bring THC-containing CBD. NutraIngredients.com

Q: Is CBD flower legal anywhere in Europe?
A: Some countries tolerated it historically (e.g., Italy’s “cannabis light”), but flower sales are increasingly restricted. In many countries flower is treated more like cannabis resin and is risky for retail sale. Reuters

Q: What are acceptable lab tests?
A: Use accredited labs, include batch numbers and detection limits, and show Δ9-THC specifically. Authorities look at Δ9-THC, not just total THC.

References & primary sources (selected, load-bearing)

Below are some authoritative documents and reputable analyses used to compile this guide — check these pages for the most current, country-specific details.

European Commission — Novel Food pages and decisions (summary and individual decisions about CBD novel food authorizations). Food Safety+1
EU Common Agricultural Policy / industry reporting on THC cultivation thresholds (recent CAP changes raising certain baseline limits). Essentia Pura
Sweden: Supreme Court precedent and reporting showing Sweden’s zero-tolerance for THC in CBD products. NutraIngredients.com+1
Switzerland: Official federal guidance stating ≤1% THC allowed in hemp products. ch.ch+1
Italy and recent policy shifts regarding hemp flower / “cannabis light” (news reports and legal analyses). Wikipedia+1
Czech Republic: Legal guide noting 1% threshold for industrial cannabis uses. CMS Law
Germany: Legal practice guides covering 2024–25 reforms and THC threshold guidance. Global Practice Guides+1

Practical next steps (if you’re a reader)

If travelling with CBD: pick topical products or highly tested oils, avoid flower, and carry a COA. Check the destination’s government/health ministry page the day you travel.
If selling in Europe: confirm novel food requirements for ingestibles, adhere to the strictest target market’s THC limit, and be ready with lab documentation. Consider shipping only to jurisdictions you’ve verified. Food Safety+1
If manufacturing: place hemp cultivation in countries with permissive industrial thresholds (but ensure export compliance with importing country limits). Czech Republic and Switzerland are often cited for permissive cultivation conditions (check local regs). CMS Law+1

Final notes — fast-moving area: double-check before acting

European CBD and hemp law is actively changing (national court rulings, EU CAP updates, and political reforms). I wrote the guide to be accurate to the best available sources at the time of publication, and I cited the most important legal developments and examples above — notably: the EU CAP adjustments, Sweden’s zero-tolerance position, Switzerland’s 1% ceiling, Germany’s 2024–25 legal changes, and Italy’s 2024–25 clampdown on flower sales. Always verify with official government sites or legal counsel in the relevant country before shipping, selling, or travelling with CBD.