Cannabis in Spain is partially legal: personal use and cultivation in private spaces are decriminalized, but sale and public consumption remain illegal. Adults can possess and use small amounts privately, though trading or buying weed is a criminal offense. Many locals and tourists access cannabis through private social clubs operating within legal grey areas.
Top things to remember
- Private use is decriminalized, but public possession or consumption can lead to fines of €601–€30,000.
- Cannabis sales and trafficking are illegal and can result in prison sentences.
- Tourists can’t legally buy weed, though private cannabis clubs operate in a legal grey area for members only.
Legal Landscape: What You Should Know About Spain’s Cannabis Rules
In Spain, cannabis is not fully legal, but many uses are decriminalized or tolerated under strict conditions. Cultivation and consumption in private spaces are generally allowed for personal use, provided the plants are not visible from public areas.
Possessing or consuming cannabis in public places is considered a serious administrative offense, punishable by fines ranging from about €601 to €30,000, along with confiscation of the substance. Meanwhile, trafficking, sale, import, or export of cannabis is a criminal offense, with prison sentences of 1 to 3 years (or longer in aggravated cases) plus fines.
Regarding THC vs. CBD, Spain follows EU rules: CBD products that comply with THC thresholds (typically ≤ 0.3 % THC) are broadly legal, while higher-THC cannabis remains subject to the criminal code.
As for residents vs. tourists, the laws apply equally: there is no formal distinction between a Spanish resident and a visitor. But in practice, cannabis social clubs and private cultivation often rely on local knowledge, membership rules, or referrals, which may disadvantage non-locals.
Medical Cannabis: What’s Allowed and Who Qualifies
Medical cannabis in Spain is in a transitional phase. As of now, only a few cannabis-based medicines (such as Sativex) are legally available by prescription for specific medical indications. The government recently approved a Royal Decree (903/2025) to create a regulated framework for medicinal cannabis, allowing “standardized preparations” to be prescribed by specialist doctors in hospital settings.
To qualify as a patient, you generally need a diagnosis of conditions such as chronic pain, refractory epilepsy, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, or chemotherapy-induced nausea, and such treatment must be prescribed when conventional therapies are ineffective. The new framework limits prescriptions to hospital pharmacies rather than ordinary community pharmacies.
For tourists or foreign patients, access is more constrained. If you are bringing medical cannabis into Spain, you should contact the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) ahead of travel to request a permit for controlled substances. However, prescriptions or medical cannabis cards from other countries are not automatically recognized in Spain, and carrying or using cannabis in public, even for medical use, can still lead to fines or confiscation.
Buying Cannabis: What You Need to Know
Spain does not have legal dispensaries like in some U.S. states or Canada. Cannabis is sometimes accessed via nonprofit cannabis social clubs (private associations), but these are not traditional stores; they operate under legal ambiguity. Street-level purchases also persist on the black market, which carries greater risk.
As a tourist, you cannot legally buy cannabis in public or in retail settings. Your only plausible legal access is through a cannabis social club that accepts non-locals (if they allow membership) and functions within its internal rules.
In terms of price, data from studies of cannabis clubs show averages around €6.19 per gram for flower, and €8.54 per gram for resin. In cities like Barcelona, clubs typically quote €8–€15 per gram, depending on strain and quality.
Where You Can and Can’t Use Cannabis in Spain
In Spain, public consumption of cannabis, including smoking or vaping in streets, parks, beaches, or terraces, is illegal and treated as an administrative offense, often resulting in fines and confiscation.
In private spaces, such as your home or a private cannabis social club (if allowed), consumption is generally tolerated, provided it doesn’t breach visibility rules (i.e., plants or use mustn’t be visible from public areas). Whether you can smoke cannabis in a hotel, Airbnb, or rented apartment depends on the owner’s rules; many accommodations ban smoking or have strict no-drug policies, so you risk eviction or fines even if the law doesn’t prosecute you.
Regarding transporting cannabis, carrying small “reasonable” amounts privately is typically tolerated, but doing so in public (or openly) can lead to fines or police intervention. Traveling between cities by car or train should be done discreetly, and never cross international borders with cannabis, even for medical reasons.
Traveling to and from Spain with Cannabis: What You Should Know
Bringing cannabis into or out of Spain is strictly illegal. Even though personal use may be decriminalized in specific private settings, importing or exporting cannabis (especially high-THC products) may be treated as drug trafficking, which carries severe criminal penalties.
At customs or airport security, if you’re caught carrying cannabis or cannabis-based products above tolerated limits (or without proper authorization), you face potential seizure, fines, prosecution, or even imprisonment.
Airport security in Spain (and international flight hubs) is moderately strict regarding narcotics. Scanners, sniffer dogs, and customs inspections are active. While small amounts for personal use may not automatically trigger prosecution, there’s no guarantee, and carrying cannabis through an airport is high risk, particularly for tourists.
Law Enforcement & Risks When Using Cannabis in Spain
Police in Spain generally show a tolerant attitude toward small-scale, private cannabis use. However, they still enforce the law strictly when it comes to public consumption or any sign of trafficking. The Spanish Penal Code (Article 368) makes it clear that growing, distributing, or selling cannabis with the intent to promote illegal use is a criminal offense. While private possession for personal use rarely leads to arrest, the interpretation of what counts as “personal” can vary from one region to another, and local police have broad discretion in enforcement.
In most cases, if you’re caught consuming or carrying cannabis in public, you’ll face an administrative fine ranging from about €601 to €30,000, and your product will be confiscated. Prison sentences, usually between one and three years, apply only when police determine there’s an intent to sell or distribute. In short, private, discreet use is generally tolerated, but visibility or public possession can be an expensive mistake.
Tourists should also be cautious of scams around cannabis clubs. Some unlicensed venues pose as legal associations but operate illegally or charge inflated “tourist fees.” Others might even get raided, leaving visitors exposed to legal trouble. Avoid buying weed on the street or in public areas; these sellers often target tourists, and the quality and legality of the product are questionable. Finally, even at home or in a rental, don’t grow plants where they can be seen from the street, as this alone can lead to heavy fines under Spanish law.
Cultural Attitudes Toward Cannabis in Spain
In Spain, cannabis use is increasingly socially accepted compared to past decades. Survey data show that in 2018, approximately 84 % of respondents supported the medicinal use of cannabis, and nearly 47 % were in favor of both medicinal and recreational use. Among university students, research indicates that moderate cannabis consumption is seen as “normal” and social, though heavy or problematic use still carries stigma.
Beyond the surveys, Spain has a visible cannabis community. Events like Spannabis, Europe’s largest cannabis expo held in Barcelona, draw thousands of enthusiasts, industry professionals, and hobbyists alike, reflecting a lively and open cannabis-culture scene. That said, even if you use cannabis, you’re unlikely to be judged harshly in many social settings, especially in private. However, public use remains legally restricted and somewhat frowned upon, so cultural acceptance has its limits.
Useful Local Tips for Cannabis Travellers in Spain
When it comes to talking about cannabis in Spain, a few slang terms can be helpful to know. Locals often use words like “hierba” or “yerba” (literally “herb”) for weed, and you might hear “porro”, “canuto”, or “petardo” to refer to a joint. Other terms include “maría” (for marijuana) or “costo”/“chocolate” (especially for hashish) in some circles.
Spain also has a vibrant cannabis-friendly scene. One of the standout events is Spannabis, held annually in Barcelona, which draws enthusiasts, industry professionals, and researchers from across Europe and beyond. Cities such as Barcelona have established “420-friendly” accommodations and rental listings that advertise smoking-friendly terraces or “cannabis-tolerant” spaces, though these are not legal dispensary hotels; they simply cater to guests who may consume privately in permissible contexts.
If you’re planning your stay, consider looking for smoking-friendly rentals or hostels that clearly state smoking is allowed on a terrace or in private spaces. Also, keep in mind that even when accommodation permits smoking, public consumption still carries legal risk, and you’ll need to consume discreetly in private areas. Lastly, if you ever encounter a “club invite” or “tourist membership” at a cannabis social club, always verify whether the club allows non-residents and what guest rules apply.
Final Advice for Cannabis Travelers in Spain
While Spain is one of Europe’s more tolerant countries when it comes to cannabis, it’s vital to remember that laws can change quickly, and interpretations vary between regions. Always check the most recent local regulations or consult official government resources before consuming or carrying cannabis.
If you decide to use cannabis during your stay, be discreet and respectful; only consume in private spaces where it’s allowed, avoid public use, and never transport cannabis across borders. Joining a legitimate cannabis social club may offer a safer option, but even then, follow membership rules carefully.
In short, use common sense: stay informed, stay private, and avoid drawing attention to your consumption. This approach not only helps you stay within the law but also shows respect for the country’s culture and community.