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Brits travelling to Qatar risk jail if they bring banned medication into the country.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice on Wednesday, August 19, reminding travellers that some prescription and over-the-counter medicines are considered controlled substances under Qatari law.
This includes codeine, tramadol, diazepam and pregabalin.
Qatar will host the penultimate round of the Formula 1 Championship in November, with tens of thousands of visitors expected.
#Qatar: Read our latest travel advice for updated information about bringing prescription and controlled medication into Qatar, including the Ministry of Public Health's online permit application system: https://t.co/Jrp6CmBgVw pic.twitter.com/VT9cQJTqOa
— FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) August 19, 2026
The FCDO advice states: "Some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines may be controlled substances in Qatar."
Travellers can bring these medications into the country, but only if they follow Qatar’s legal requirements.
How to bring medication into Qatar legally
The FCDO now advises holidaymakers to carry a prescription in English or Arabic, issued within the past six months.
Visitors must apply for a permit through the Qatar Ministry of Public Health’s electronic portal before travelling.
Applicants can track their application online and receive a digital permit to present at the border.
Failing to follow these rules could result in up to five years in prison and a fine of between 50,000 and 100,000 Qatari riyals (approximately £10,000 to £19,000).
This applies even if the drugs are intended solely for personal medical use.
Qatari law states: "NDDPS [Narcotic Drugs and Dangerous Psychotropic Substances] may only be imported, exported or transported, by a written permission from the Minister of the Public Health.
"Whoever imports NDDPS with the intention of illicit consumption or personal use, unless he proves to be permitted to do so pursuant to the provisions of this Law, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of up to five years and not less than two years.
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"There will be a fine of not more than one-hundred thousand (100,000) Riyals and not less than fifty-thousand (50,000) Riyals, unless it can be established that he was authorised to do so in accordance with the provisions of this law."
Tourism to Qatar has soared by nearly 350% since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the country emerging as a popular destination for sporting events.
The FCDO has directed travellers to the TravelHealthPro website for further guidance on carrying medication abroad.